I. INVITATION OF JEHOVAH (Gen. 7:1-6).

1. Timely. — God called Noah into the ark seven days before the rain began.

2. Special. — At first the invitation was to all men, but they had refused to hear the voice of Noah, and now the invitation was extended specially to Noah and his house.

3. Urgent. — The flood was just on hand and they must enter at once.

4. Gracious. — It was a gracious act on God's part to provide for the preservation of the race and invite Noah into the ark.

II. ENTRANCE INTO THE ARK (Gen. 7:7-16).

1. The Family. — Noah and his wife, with his sons Shem, Ham, Japheth and their wives, entered the ark.

2. The Animals. — Clean beasts were taken by sevens and the unclean by twos. Food to provide for them was also taken into the ark.

III. THE EXTENT OF THE FLOOD. (Gen. 7:17-20). The waters prevailed upon the earth and all the hills were covered. The flood was fifteen cubits deep and every living creature was destroyed.

IV. DURATION OF THE FLOOD, (Gen. 7:21-8:14). Noah entered the ark in the six hundredth year, the second month and the tenth day of his life, and in the six hundred and first year, second month and twenty-seventh day he saw the dry ground, Noah's family remained in the ark one year and seventeen days.

V. PURPOSE OF THE FLOOD.

1. To Cleanse the Earth of Sin.

2. To Give the Race a New Opportunity to Live Righteous

QUESTIONS.

• When did Jehovah give his invitation?

• To whom was it extended?

• Why was it so urgent?

• Who entered the ark?

• How many animals were taken into the ark?

• What was the extent of the flood?

• How long were they in the ark?

• What was the purpose of the ark?

REVIEW.

I. Invitation of Jehovah.

1. Timely.

2. Special.

3 Urgent.

4. Gracious.

II. Entrance into the Ark.

1 The Family— Noah, Shem, Ham, Japheth and Wives.

2. The Animals— clean by sevens, unclean by twos.

III. Extent of the Flood.— The Inhabited Earth.

IV. Duration of the Flood. — One Year, Seventeen Days,

V. Purpose of the Flood.

1. Cleanse the Earth of Sin.

2. Give Opportunity for Righteousness.