The reality of the Flood Pt 2: Who was this man, Noah?

Good morning

Let us continue thinking about the flood recorded in Genesis chapter 6. As I am sure you recall from previous posts, we noted that people in the lists of names and families lived incredibly long lives.

Some may wonder how this is possible, but remember that the original creation was free from the curse of sin. No sickness, no disease and the climate was  optimal for producing and sustaining abundant life forms.

The lists of names also showed that death did come into the world because of sin. The phrase "and he died" has become the new reality. It remains however, that people lived longer in those long ago times because the conditions for living were so good.

We also saw that there were two people groups: some were of the ungodly line, people or families who chose to live life apart from God, and the Godly line of those who chose to live in submission to the will of God. We also noted that there was a conflict and tension between the groups that indicates the spiritual battle going on in the souls of mankind.

As we turned to Genesis 6, we noted that there was an increase in the depraved behavior of mankind, to the intent that God was going to bring judgment upon the whole world.

Now, we turn to Genesis 6:8-10 and are introduced to Noah and his family. Let's read the text below.

Genesis 6:8-10 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 
And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Several things to note about this man, Noah. First, he was in the line of people descended from Seth, the Godly line. Second, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Grace is often defined as unmerited favor of God. Salvation is always of grace. 

It is the work of God to bring souls to repentant faith and salvation. Grace is that lovely word that means God has provided a way for sinful man to have a relationship with Him. 

Man must submit to and accept the provision of God in order to enter into the saving relationship. God told Adam & Eve what was the acceptable way to approach Him after they sinned and all those who accepted the provision God made would find grace.

The responsibility of Adam & Eve was to teach this truth to their children and as we have read, some accepted the gracious provision of God and some did not. 

The parents of Noah evidently communicated this same truth to Noah and he responded with obedience. Thus, he found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

There are two things God tells us about Noah. He was just and he was perfect in his generations. The word "just" means righteous or conforming to a standard. It means that Noah was just or right before God because he responded by faith and accepted God's provision for salvation and a relationship. 

Second, he was perfect in his generations, meaning that Noah taught his children these same truths so that they might also enjoy a saving relationship with God. Noah had three sons and they had wives. 

After introducing us to Noah and his family the Bible now summarizes the state of humanity as a whole, at that point in history.

Genesis 6:11-12 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 

And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

The word "corrupt" is used three times in the text. It means to pervert, to spoil and to ruin. It is the idea that the morally depraved actions of most of the human race during the time of Noah, was actively working against the purposes of God. There was open rebellion and flagrant debauchery. 

The earth was full of violence, much like today. The word conveys that men were cruel hearted and mean spirited. Men were engaged in wanton damage and destruction of property and lives.

It means that heinous crimes were perpetrated upon innocent victims and they received no justice. In other words, the world was in turmoil, upheaval and submerged in wicked, vile behaviors.

Genesis 6:13-16 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

The picture of the state of humanity was bleak indeed, yet nothing catches God by surprise. Now, God turns to Noah and speaks with him. This is grace in action. God tells Noah what He is going to do with great solemnity for God takes no joy or pleasure in the death of sinners. Rather, He wants all people to come to repentance that they might be saved. 

In addition to telling Noah that He is going to destroy all flesh upon the earth, He also gives Noah a task to do. God tells Noah to build an ark. This is the provision for salvation from the judgment that is going to come and we will see that Noah faithfully declared the word of God to people for 120 years as he constructed this massive boat. 

The ark was to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. The shape and profile would be very similar to a large freighter carrying iron ore that we are familiar with. It would be stable in water and able to ride out stormy seas.

No power tools were available to use, so Noah and his sons began a very labor intensive building project in obeying what God said. One can see why it took 120 years to build the ark. Many large timbers had to be cut, shaped and sized and cured. Fasteners had to be made. Much painstaking joinery work had to be done to fit the timbers tightly together in a seaworthy vessel. 

The ark was to have three levels or floors on the inside and it would contain rooms and stalls and pens for all the animal forms that would eventually enter the ark. windows were incorporated into the design to ensure proper ventilation. 

For now, let us see that sin is a grave offense to Holy God, yet, note that He also makes a gracious provision so that people can be rescued from their sins. 

The flood was a monumental event and our Lord Jesus Christ verified that the reality of it. Jesus is answering a question from His disciples about when He would return to the earth to establish His kingdom. HIs reply demonstrates the authenticity of the flood and it reminds us that many people today are blithely going about their day doing what they want to do without regard to the need of their soul.

Matthew 24:37-39 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

In the next post, we will dig deeper into the narrative about the flood and God's gracious provision through the ark that Noah and his sons constructed.