Old Testament Background

Evangelical Free Church of Walnut

sunesis institute_

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelSee NotesBabylonian vs. Biblical Flood Accounts

See ChartSon’s of God = Angels• Helps explain the mythologies of other cultures without

“stupefying” the people of the ancient world• Helps explain why Scripture takes mythology “seriously”• Seems to be more supported in Scripture

• Jude 6-7 • 1Corinthians 10:20

The Identity of the “Sons of God”

The Earth Before the FloodVapor canopy—Genesis 1:6-8

This might account for the higher oxygen levels believed to have been in the prehistoric atmosphere

This also might account for the longer lifespan prior to the flood

Hot and cold seasons not mentioned until Genesis 8:22

Lesson 3

From the Flood to Babel

The Earth Before the Flood

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelRelatively smooth surface – Psalm 104:1-9• Flood waters did not need to cover the high

mountains of today• No cliffs/deadly features in the landscapeShallow seas – Genesis 1:20• The vast majority of our current oceanic

environment is uninhabitable• Paleontologists consistently reference the

presence of shallow seas in many locations

The Earth Before the Flood

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelLush vegetation everywhere—Genesis 9:3• Prolific presence of oil around the world• Fossil evidence of lush flora and fauna,

even in the polar regions*No natural disasters• Greenhouse effect of canopy prevents

severe storms (probably why the rainbow was a new thing)

• No tectonic plates means no earthquakes

* See websites in notes

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelWhat Happens in the FloodThe Waters Coming• The vapor canopy collapses• Water springs forth from the ground• The earth is covered with water

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelWhat Happens in the FloodThe Waters Going• Mountains made higher and valleys

lower resulting in a “cracked” earth• The volcanic activity cools the earth

creating “ice age” glaciers• Receding waters carry silt that

settles creating layers of sedimentary rock with fossils

• OPTION 2: The wind mentioned in Genesis 8 was a supernatural means of removing the water

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelChronology of the Flood17th day of the 2nd month of Noah’s 600th year—Flood begins40 days and 40 nights—the rain and fountains of the deep deluged the earth150 days—the waters prevailed on the earth (then wind blows and waters begin to return into the earth)17th day of the 7th month—Ark comes to rest on/over the mountains of Ararat1st day of 10th month—tops of mountains were seen40 days later—Noah sends out a raven and a dove, dove returns7 days later—Noah sends out the dove again, dove returns with olive leaf7 days later—Noah sends out the dove again, the dove does not return1st day of the 1st month (601st year)—Noah removes cover from ark27th day of the 2nd month (601st year)—earth dry, everyone exits the arkTOTAL LENGTH OF THE FLOOD—ONE YEAR AND TEN DAYS

What Happens in the Flood

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelEffects of the Flood

• Shorter lives—Genesis 47:8-9

• Hot and cold seasons—Genesis 8:22

• Mass extinctions—fossil record

• Rainbows and a promise

What Happens in the Flood

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelFoundational Understandings in the Flood Story• Noahic Covenant—rainbows (Genesis 9:8-17)• Possible origins of pagan myths and the worship of other gods

(1 Peter 3:19-20, Jude 6)• The concept of “clean” animals predates Mt. Sinai• God follows through on promised wrath (2 Peter 3, Matthew

24:37-39)• God rescues those who find his favor (2 Peter 2)• Example of faith (Hebrews 11:7)

What Happens in the Flood

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelFoundational Understandings in the Flood Story• Noah’s sacrifice and God’s statement in Genesis 8:20-22

establish man’s sinfulness (even Noah’s)• Noah’s drunken exposure results in a curse on Canaan begins

the rational of the conquest• Man permitted to eat meat but blood is forbidden

• Should cause pause for vegetarian and vegan promoters• This is a foundation to the kosher laws of the Israelites• This is still in effect for New Covenant believers (Acts 21:25)

• Animals accountable if they take the life of a human

What Happens in the Flood

Less

on

3

Tower of Babel

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelWhat brought on the confusion of languages by God • Rebellion against God—Genesis 9:1, 11:4c, and 11:8• Human pride—Genesis 11:4a and 4b• God’s desire to slow human progress—Genesis 11:6Foundational Understandings• Language and cultural divisions do NOT represent God’s

love of diversity but rather his judgment• Languages and cultures were birthed in order to cause

misunderstanding and confusion among us• God has a high view of man’s capabilities—Genesis 11:6

The Tower of Babel

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelCurrent Observable Evidence Supporting the Flood• Hydrodynamics are the best explanation for many

observable geological features around the world

• The existence of our massive fossil record greatly supports the existence of a world wide flood

• Even secular archeologists recognize that civilizations broke forth out of the area of the Ararat Mountains

Key Notes Concerning the Flood and Tower of Babel

Lesson 3

From the Flood to BabelCurrent Observable Evidence Supporting the Tower of Babel• Unifying the world under a few primary languages has

sped the progress of the human race exponentially

• The world is losing languages, not gaining them, showing that the tendency of the human race is to move toward unity rather than diversity

Key Notes Concerning the Flood and Tower of Babel