The entire surface of the earth was changed at the Flood. A third dreadful curse rested upon it in consequence of sin. As the water began to subside, the hills and mountains were surrounded 108 by a vast, turbid sea, Everywhere were strewn the dead bodies of men and beasts. The Lord would not permit these to remain to decompose and pollute the air, therefore He made of the earth a vast burial ground. A violent wind which was caused to blow for the purpose of drying up the waters, moved them with great force, in some instances even carrying away the tops of the mountains and heaping up trees, rocks, and earth above the bodies of the dead. By the same means the silver and gold, the choice wood and precious stones, which had enriched and adorned the world before the Flood, and which the inhabitants had idolized, were concealed from the sight and search of men, the violent action of the waters piling earth and rocks upon these treasures, and in some cases even forming mountains above them. God saw that the more He enriched and prospered sinful men, the more they would corrupt their ways before Him. The treasures that should have led them to glorify the bountiful Giver had been worshiped, while God had been dishonored and despised.

Hele jordens overflade var forandret af syndfloden. En tredje frygtelig forbandelse hvilede over jorden som følge af synden. Da vandene begyndte at synke, var høje og bjerge omgivet af et mægtigt uroligt hav. Overalt lå der døde mennesker og dyr. Herren ville ikke tillade, at disse blev liggende og opløstes og besmittede luften, derfor gjorde han jorden til en stor begravelsesplads. En voldsom vind, der skulle blæse for at tørre vandet, oprørte det med stor kraft, og i nogle tilfælde flyttede den toppen af bjerge og dyngede træer, klipper og jord, op over de døde legemer. På samme måde blev guld og sølv, kostbare træsorter og ædelstene, som havde prydet jorden før syndfloden, og som indbyggerne havde tilbedt som afguder, skjult for menneskenes øjne, idet vandet ved sin voldsomme bevægelse dækkede disse skatte til med jord og sten. I visse tilfælde dannedes der endog bjerge oven på dem. Gud så, at jo flere rigdomme og jo mere fremgang, han gav menneskene, des mere fordærvet blev deres opførsel over for ham. De skatte, der skulle have fået dem til at ære den gavmilde giver, var blevet tilbedt, mens Gud var blevet vanæret og foragtet.