The Flood - Clean Animals by Sevens

The bible suggests a different order existed prior to the flood. Our planet still displayed the majesty of its original design. The hills and valleys had yet to be defaced by the ravaging forces of the deluge and the blasting winds to come. The land was watered by a dew drawn up from the ground instead of by rain, and the firmament provided shielding and cover. Men were much larger in stature than now, and life expectancy was measured in centuries instead of decades.

However, the gulf that existed between man and God gradually widened. Here again, the separation was partially associated with a lack of appetite control. Christ's prophetic words to his disciples 2400 years later link the conditions of Noah's time with our time and the end of our age.

For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking , marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came ... Matthew 24:38,39

There is no limit to Divine patience, but there does come a day, in all our lives, when gentle pleading fails to evoke a response and His Spirit is reluctantly withdrawn.

Then the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever..." Genesis 6:3 God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. Then God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. Genesis 6:13

Seven Clean Animals

You shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after their kind, and of the animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. "As for you, take for yourself some of all food which is edible, and gather it to yourself; and it shall be for food for you and for them." Genesis 6:19-21

Noah had found favor in God's eyes and was selected to be instrumental in the preservation of life. He was given a very detailed plan regarding the construction of the ark. It's interesting to note that God uses available resources, as much as possible, to accomplish his plans. He also uses those who are fit and willing to do His good service.

In order to survive many months aboard the ark, Noah was instructed to make provisions and store up an herbal food supply sufficient to last until the flood waters receded. After that, the animals would instinctively find their proper place in a food chain. However, born of necessity, special considerations were made for Noah and his descendants.

You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female; also of the birds of the sky, by sevens, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth. Genesis 7:2-3 The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given. Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. Genesis 9:2-4