In this passage about the flood, it's notable that Noah never speaks, only God does. God speaks, God instructs, God brings the animals, God shuts the door of the ark (if Noah did it, perhaps he would've opened it to allow people inside when the waters started to rise and they started to panic). God takes full and absolute responsibility for the flood and the judgment it brought upon every single living person and animal on the planet. He also receives all the glory for His mercy displayed by rescuing the righteous remnant.
Just as Adam and Eve were the only ones to witness both the pre- and post-fall world, so Noah and his family were the only ones to witness the pre- and post-flood world. Here on the Prairies we've seen the ruin left behind after a spring flood, but I can only imagine the utter devastation left behind after a world-wide flood! It would certainly look nothing like the typical illustrations in our children's Bible storybooks with a rainbow over lush green meadows. It would have been another stark indication of the judgment and wrath of God, demonstrating exactly how seriously God takes sin, compared to how lightly we take it. No wonder Noah made a sacrifice to God, he knew full well that his sin and the sin of his family was also deserving of death, and that the only reason they weren't drowned was because of God's grace - unmerited favour.
Which is, of course, a reminder that the flood is indicative of the coming final judgment at the end of human history, as well as God's saving grace in providing us an ark of safety in Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Genesis 10-12, Romans 4
2 comments:
The carnage left behind after the flood was something that occurred to me too as I read.
I also thought it was odd that Noah had just 3 sons and he was over 600 years old? Seems odd even if he was so busy building :) Or does that mean he had other sons and daughters that were not invited??
One thing that also struck me was the waiting. The waiting for the ark to be built, the waiting for the rain to start, the waiting for the rain to end, and the endless waiting for the Earth to be dry. Even if it is God's plan, it doesn't mean it will be an immediate consequence with immediate repercussions. As Noah and his family waited, they, not doubt, wondered what God was doing. We too struggle with God's plan when it involves waiting. I think it also represents the time that it takes to change. Change is not immediate it is a slow process that requires much waiting.
From Romans, this verse connects the OT and NT readings:
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Everyone has sinned, no race, no gender, no age is without sin and we all deserved to die just like all the other who perished in the flood. But just as Noah was given the directions and had faith in God to follow the instructions he was saved from destruction. If we accept God's direction be are justified by His grace and we too are saved.
It is interesting that Noah does not speak in this passage, as you've noted. I also felt that this passage demonstrated God's power in that even the animals listen to Him. If only we could train our cat to listen to us!
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