From Disaster to Hope
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Key Verse: “I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and everyliving creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.” Selected Scripture: |
BY THE TIME NOAH CAME upon the scene, mankind had fallen deep into the depths of sin, long since removed from the perfection Adam and Eve enjoyed in the Garden of Eden. They were even mixing with some of the angels who came and dwelt in the earth, producing a hybrid race of giants. (Gen. 6:2-4) We read, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”—vs. 5
Man had fallen so far into sin that God was grieved in his heart (vs. 6), and he determined it was necessary to destroy man from the face of the earth. Only Noah and his family were not contaminated with the hybrid stock and were worthy to be spared. “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”—vs. 9
God instructed Noah to make an ark which would be used to house him, his family, and a representative number of every animal that dwelt on the earth. This was necessary since there was a flood of waters coming soon which would destroy every living creature, human and animal, that was not so protected.
God’s method of accomplishing his purpose was very orderly. He instructed Noah to take seven pairs of the clean beasts, male and female, or a total of fourteen of each kind. Of the unclean beasts, Noah was to take only two pairs of male and female animals. The fowls of the air were to be taken in the same number as the clean beasts—seven pairs of males and females of each kind. (Gen. 7:2,3) God’s intention to save a certain number of the various kinds of animals was “to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.” (vs. 3) Here we see the great economy of God. Under such an arrangement it would not be necessary to create again all the various species of animals as had been done during the Creative days, or epochs.—Gen. 1:1-31
God further states in Genesis 6:4 that the impending destruction of all earth’s inhabitants would take place as the result of forty days’ and forty nights’ continual downpour of rain. Obediently, Noah followed God’s instructions without question, while, no doubt, enduring ridicule and mocking from onlookers soon to be destroyed in the flood.
Paul wrote: “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Heb. 11:7) Noah was a true example of faith under very difficult circumstances. We would do well to emulate his obedient character demonstrated to a wicked generation.
The rains came, as God said, wreaking panic, death and destruction in all the earth. But Noah and his family escaped the judgments of God. Finally, the rain stopped, the waters receded, and dry land appeared. Lastly, the ark rested, and God instructed Noah to go out from it. (Gen. 8:15,16) Then God made his everlasting covenant with mankind and animals, signifying by a beautiful rainbow that he would never again destroy all flesh with the waters of a flood.