In Genesis 6 we learned that humans had corrupted the earth so much that God determined to destroy everyone by a flood of waters. We also learned that God planned to graciously save one man named Noah because he was righteous and blameless. In Genesis 7, we find out more about Noah and the flood by learning about the Ark of Salvation.
- Salvation is offered. In Genesis 6:18, the Lord said to Noah “I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” God graciously chose righteous Noah to preserve mankind and provide safety for the animals “according to their kinds” (Gen 6:20). In chapter 7, God is faithful to His covenant promises and told Noah to enter the ark.
- Judgment is coming. In verse 7:4, God told Noah that the flood was coming in seven days and that they must be on the boat in order to be saved. When the seventh day came, the “flood came and water covered the earth” (7:6). The rain God promised fell for 40 days and 40 nights. The flood was so thorough that the “waters surged even higher on the earth, and all the high mountains under the whole sky were covered” (7:19). The result was that “every creature perished…on the earth, as well as all mankind” (7:21).
- Faith is necessary. Salvation is offered and judgment is coming; therefore, faith is necessary. Noah is a man of faith. Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the rightness that comes by faith.” In 6:22 and 7:5, Noah put his faith into action and “did everything that God had commanded him.” Noah believed God and his belief was evidenced in his obedience to build and enter the ark.
- God’s grace preserves. Noah, his family, and all the animals were safe inside the ark because God was protecting them. In 7:16, we learn that after Noah entered the ark, “the Lord shut him in.” This is significant because it indicates that the Lord is in control over the door. God is in control of who enters and who exits. Noah and those who were in the ark were safe from the flood waters of judgment because of God’s preserving grace.
Did you know that God does not change? Therefore He is just as loving, holy, and gracious today as He was in Genesis 6. The story of Noah and the flood is a great picture of the gospel of Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us that we are saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ and our faith is demonstrated in obedience. Noah was saved by grace through faith and his faith was demonstrated in obedience to God. God graciously spared Noah and provided the ark as salvation from judgment. Noah believed God and his faith was demonstrated in obediently building the ark. As we remember the story of Noah and the flood, let us praise our loving, holy, and gracious God.
First Baptist Scott City, MO 