The world before the Flood reasoned that for centuries the laws of nature had been fixed. The recurring seasons had come in their order. Heretofore rain had never fallen; the earth had been 97 watered by a mist or dew. The rivers had never yet passed their boundaries, but had borne their waters safely to the sea. Fixed decrees had kept the waters from overflowing their banks. But these reasoners did not recognize the hand of Him who had stayed the waters, saying, "Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further." Job 38:11.

Verden før syndfloden ræsonnerede, at naturlovene havde været uforanderlige i århundreder. Årstiderne skiftede i samme rækkefølge. Der var aldrig før faldet regn; jorden var blevet vandet af tåge eller dug. Floderne var aldrig gået over deres bredder, men havde roligt ført deres vand til havet. Uforanderlige love havde forhindret vandet i at gå over sine bredder. Men de, der ræsonnerede sådan, så ikke hans hånd, som holdt vandene tilbage og sagde: "Hertil og ikke længere! Her standse dine stolte vover!" Job. 38, 11.