Read Genesis 6:5-22
The theme of increasing sin continues. In Verse 5 we are told that mankind’s wickedness had become great and that their thoughts were only evil all the time. This overwhelming sinfulness in his created world grieved God to the extent that he resolved to destroy it completely. This is where we meet Noah.
Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord (v8). He is described as a righteous man and blameless. That is not to say that he was sinless or perfect – we have all fallen short of God’s standards however good we may be. What is important was that Noah had a relationship with God. Verse 9 tells us that “he walked with God”. This reminds us of Enoch in the previous chapter who also walked with God and did not suffer death but was taken up by God himself. In a world full of corruption and violence, Noah stood out as being different, as someone who was in tune with God and obeyed his commands. The same approach holds for us as Christians. As God’s people we should stand apart from the sin, the wickedness, the violence of this world as we walk with God and follow his commands.
God spoke to Noah and prepared him for the forthcoming flood, instructing him to build an ark and giving very specific details on how to do it. Noah was obedient, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him” (v22). He displayed his unwavering faith in God and this is held up in that Chapter of Hebrews in the New Testament that is often called, “the heroes of faith” (Hebrews 11:7).
Whatever we may think about the historical accuracy of the story of Noah and the flood, and all the questions we may have about it that the Bible doesn’t address, what we do have is a picture of God’s grace. The only place of security for Noah and his family is the ark. Salvation is in following the word of God given to him. This is why the ark is seen in the New Testament as a symbol of God’s salvation (1 Peter 3:21, 2 Peter 2:5).
What we see in the story of the flood are the two sides of God’s nature; blessing and judgement. God honours Noah and his faithfulness, obedience and righteousness with salvation from destruction. The wicked, sinful and disobedient are condemned to destruction. Judgement is not a popular subject, even in the church, these days. It is seen as being negative and not nice. The popular view is that everyone should be saved. This is not the biblical view. We see that in this chapter but we also see it in the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Not all are saved!
The flood story is a staple of the Sunday School; but it also anticipates God’s grace in our salvation in Jesus Christ.