Introduction

 A. One of the most famous and controversial narratives in the Old Testament is the Global Deluge or Universal Flood in Noah's days.

  1. Many claim that it was only a myth to scare people about an Omnipotent God.

  2. Some historians and scientists even say there was no Global Deluge in Noah's time.

  3. There is therefore a need to study this past event for Jesus said " You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free," John 8:32

 B. The approach in this Discussion shall be as follows:

  1. The universal flood was proven to be true according to biblical and archaeological accounts.

  2.The divine reason for the necessity of the global deluge.

Discussion

 A. Biblical and Archaeological Proofs that there was a Universal Flood in Noah's Days

  1. Biblical Proofs through the Holy Spirit inspired writings in the Bible

  a. Matthew 24:38-39 (Jesus Himself confirmed the flood in Noah's days by comparing His earthly return to what people will be doing at His coming: eating, drinking and marrying- normal flow of life) cf Luke 17:26-27

  b. According to Genesis 6:13 and 7:23, the unexpected flood killed them all as God Himself said...men, animals, creeping things and birds were all blotted from the face of the earth."

 c. Ezekiel 14:14, 20 ( God,speaking to the idolatrous Israelites..only Job and Daniel as righteous would be saved if they lived in Noah's time)

 

Stories about a similar deluge are known in many parts of the world e.g. Mesopotamian accounts according to Grolier's Encyclopedia of Knowledge, 1993

 d. 2 Peter 3:5-6 confirmed " that the world of that time was deluged with water and perished."

B. Archaeological Proofs of the Universal Flood in Noah's Days

  1. There was a cataclysmic destruction in the rocks and fossil graveyards all over the world

  2..Dr. Robert Ballard, an acclaimed underwater Archaeologist, said that " the depths of the Black Sea off the coast of Turkey showed an ancient civilization hidden underwater since Noah's time."

  3.Eric Cline, a well known biblical archaeologist said that the Mesopotamian accounts were similar to the Genesis narratives about the flood in Noah's days.

  4. Sediment layers suggest that about 7500 years ago, the Mediterranean waters roared into the Black Sea proving that the flood was universal

  5. How it happened is explained in Genesis 7:11, 24 and 8:2 "the great deep was broken up and the windows of the heavens were opened.."

B. Reason for the Universal Deluge was to cleanse the earth of wicked people

  1. Genesis 6: 5-6 " the wickedness of the people was so great that it grieved God."

  2. God's holiness and goodness was proven by His grace and mercy to Noah's family and by saving them from the flood

  3. The universal flood was an act of mercy to keep man from becoming too wicked beyond redemption

  4. God expressed grief over mankind's sinfulness, Genesis 4:6; 6:1- 7

  5. God wanted to restore goodness on earth and for people to have a new beginning

Conclusion

 A. Man's choices about the Genesis account of the flood

  1.He may totally reject the biblical narrative disregarding all the evidences

  2.He may totally ignore the scientific theories regarding the Genesis account

  3. But the best alternative is: reconsider his interpretations of both the biblical accounts and scientific theories.