Dispensations

The word "dispensation" means literally "administration of a house," or an "economy." Hence it is an ordered dealing with men by God in the varied administration of His ways at different times. In reviewing God's administrations with man, we may notice the state of innocence in Eden, though it hardly partook of the character of a dispensation. One commandment was given to Adam and Eve, and obedience was required, the penalty being announced if they failed.
This was followed by the lengthy period of nearly 1600 years till the flood-a time of no ordered dealing of God with men, during which men corrupted their way, and the earth was filled with violence.
Then the world was spoken to by God in the person of Noah, who was a preacher of righteousness. Their repentance was waited for in long-suffering mercy while the ark was being prepared. (1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5.) They did not repent and the old world was destroyed.
In the world after the flood, government of man by his fellow was established by God. A knowledge of God, as a God who judged evil, was spread abroad by the descendants of Noah. Traditions of the flood are found all over the earth. This was an additional testimony for God. Then followed the division of the earth into various nations and tribes, according to their families and tongues. Among these, ignorance of God prevailed in spite of the testimony of God's power and divinity, and the admonition of conscience spoken of in Rom. 1 and 2.
About 360 years after the deluge, the Patriarchal Age was begun by the call of Abraham, a new and sovereign dealing of God; but this was confined to Abraham and his descendants.