THE STORM BEGINS

On the eighth day after Noah and his family went into the ark, the sky became black. Rain began to fall from the clouds and thunder and lightning scared the people and the animals. The animals that were not in the ark began running around in wild fear. Their loud howls and cries seemed to point to the terrible destruction soon to come.SRme 1.216

The storm got worse and worse. Water seemed to pour down from heaven as a great waterfall. Rivers overflowed and water filled the valleys. The water that had been flowing in underground rivers since Creation now burst forth from the ground with great force, throwing huge rocks hundreds of feet into the air. When the rocks fell, they sank deep into the earth.SRme 1.217

The first things that were destroyed were the things the people had made with their hands. Their beautiful buildings, their nicely-arranged gardens, the groves of trees where they had put their idols, were destroyed by lightning from heaven. The ruins of these things were scattered all around them.SRme 1.218

The wicked had built altars in the groves of trees where they worshiped idols. They offered human beings as sacrifices on these altars. God hated those altars so He knocked them down. People who had worshiped at the altars trembled with fear as they saw the power of God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. They realized that because of their wickedness and horrible sacrifices to idols, God was about to destroy them.SRme 1.219

The storm increased in power. The cries of terror from the people who hated the authority of God were mixed with the loud noise of the storm. Trees, buildings, rocks, and earth were thrown in every direction. The terror of the people and the animals cannot be described.SRme 1.220

Satan himself was afraid that he would be destroyed by the awful storm. Satan had been happy to control the powerful people of earth. He wanted them to stay alive to continue their terrible sins and increase their rebellion against God.SRme 1.221

During the storm Satan cursed God, saying that God was not fair and was very cruel. Many of the wicked also cursed God. If they could have done so they would have pulled God down from His throne of justice.SRme 1.222

Many people cursed God; other people were wild with fear. They stretched out their hands toward the ark begging to be allowed inside. But that was impossible. God had closed the door. Noah had been shut in and the wicked had been shut out. Only God could open the door.SRme 1.223

The fear and repentance of the wicked had come too late. Now they were forced to understand that there is a living God who is more powerful than human beings. They had rejected and cursed God. Now, when they called on God for help, it was too late for Him to hear and answer their cries.SRme 1.224

Some people in their fear tried to break into the ark. But the ark had been made so strong they could not break in. Some people tried to hold on to the ark, but soon they were carried away by the angry waters. Others were knocked off the ark by rocks and trees that were being thrown around by the storm. People who had made fun of Noah, the faithful preacher of righteousness, now were sorry they had not believed him. But it was too late.SRme 1.225

The ark was rocked from side to side and thrown about by the waves and wind. The loud noises of the animals inside showed their fear. The wind and the waves roared as the waters rose higher. Trees and rocks were thrown in all directions. But the ark rode safely through the storm. Strong angels guided the ark and kept the ark from harm. The terrible storm continued for 40 days. Every minute of that storm God had to work a miracle to keep the ark from destruction.SRme 1.226

The animals outside the ark tried to stay close to the people, thinking the people might help them. Some people tied their children and themselves to theSRme 1.227

backs of the largest and strongest animals. They knew that the animals would climb to the highest places trying to escape the rising water. They hoped the animals would save them from drowning.SRme 1.228

The storm grew worse. The waters rose faster than at first. The people who still were alive fastened themselves to the tallest trees upon the highest points of land. But the wind pulled the trees up by the roots and threw them into the water. The wind was so strong that rocks and trees were carried into the great waves. People and animals fought to stay on the highest points of land. But the flood waters finally covered the tallest mountains, destroying every animal and wicked person.SRme 1.229

When the wind and rain stopped, Noah and his family eagerly watched the waters go down. They wanted very much to get out of the ark and back on dry ground again. Noah sent out a large black bird called a raven. The bird flew away but soon came back to the ark. The bird continued flying back and forth. Noah had not learned anything about the condition of the earth from the raven, so he sent out a dove. But the dove could not find any place to rest. The dove returned to the ark too. Seven days later Noah sent another dove out of the ark. When the dove returned with an olive leaf in its mouth, Noah and his family of eight were very happy. They knew they would not have to stay in the ark much longer.SRme 1.230

An angel was sent from heaven to open the door of the ark. Noah could open the window at the top, but he could not open the door which God had shut. God had the angel tell Noah and his family that they could leave the ark. Every living thing in the ark was to go out into the earth.SRme 1.231