Genesis Chapter Seven verses 16-24

Genesis 7:16 "And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in."

“And the Lord shut him in”: No small event is spared in the telling of this episode, although the details are sparse.

God preserved Noah and his family.

Genesis 7:17 "And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth."

The flood of waters is described as a global flood. Universal terms (“all flesh,” “everything”), are used 30 times in describing this Flood. The double superlatives (“every living thing of all flesh,” and “all the high hills under the whole heaven”), clearly indicate that the author intended to state his case unmistakably.

The Hebrew word mabul (“deluge”), describes only this Flood, as does the New Testament Greek work kataklysmos, “cataclysm” (2 Pet. 3:3-7). The depth of the Flood and its duration indicate that it was no mere local flood. The size of the ark (95,700 square feet of deck space) and its gross tonnage indicate the magnitude of this Flood.

Genesis 7:18 "And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters."

“And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth”: Still they became greater and more powerful, as to bear up the ark, so to cast down houses, trees, etc. by the continual rains that fell, though perhaps they were not so violent as before, and by the constant eruptions of water out of the earth. 

Genesis 7:19 "And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that [were] under the whole heaven, were covered."

“All the high hills”: This describes the extent of the Flood as global. Lest there be any doubt, Moses adds “under the heavens” (2 Pet. 3:5-7). There are over 270 flood stories told in cultures all over the earth, which owe their origin to this one global event.

Genesis 7:20 "Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered."

“Fifteen cubits upward”: The water level was 15 cubits (or about 22.5 feet) higher than the highest mountain, so that the ark floated freely above the peaks. 

Genesis 7:21 "And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:"

All the men, women, and children, that were in the world, except those in the ark, died. The resulting death of all by drowning is here recounted.

Genesis 7:22 "All in whose nostrils [was] the breath of life, of all that [was] in the dry [land], died."

"All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life ... died" This statement refers solely to man, whose higher life is exclusively expressed by the phrase "breath of life" (Gen. 2:7). It affirms the death of the whole of mankind.

Genesis 7:23 "And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained [alive], and they that [were] with him in the ark."

The sum total of animal and vegetable life, with the exception of those in the ark, is here declared to be extinguished.

Genesis 7:24 "And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days."

“Hundred and fifty days”: These days included the 40 day and night period of rain (7:12, 17). The Flood rose to its peak at that point (8:3). It then took over 2-1/2 months before the water receded to reveal other mountain peaks (8:4-5), over 4-1/2 months before the dove could find dry land (8:8-12), and almost 8 months before the occupants could leave the ark (8:14).

I want you to see something here, as we get ready to close.

This time was a time of security for Noah and his family. When we look back at Noah and the flood, we can see symbolisms of our day. 

First, sin prevailed as it does now in our land. Wickedness, immorality, violence are everywhere. 

Second, Noah found favor in God's sight just as true Christians have found favor with God. 

Third, God provided a way out for Noah, just as He does for Christians through Jesus.

Fourth, Noah was safe as the world went through tribulation. We also, according to the Word, will be safe in Christ as the world goes through tribulation. 

Fifth, God called Noah into the ark. Jesus will blow a trumpet to call us to meet Him in the sky. 

Sixth, Noah knows rest and security in the ark. We will know peace and rest with Jesus. 

Seventh, we see Noah return to the earth. Christians will return with Jesus to earth.

Praise God!  The historic study of Noah and the Ark should give Christians great joy today! Amen!