GREAT STORIES OF THE BIBLE, PART 4 NOAH AND THE ARK Genesis 6-9, Hebrews 11:7
The story of Noah is one of the most familiar in the Bible. It’s a tale of faith, grace, salvation, and the unyielding righteousness of God. This timeless account, often reshaped in popular culture like the Russell Crowe movie, contains essential truths about God's justice and mercy, which resonate with us today.
A WORLD GONE WRONG (GENESIS 6)
In Genesis 6, we are introduced to a world where human wickedness had reached an all-time high. Evil thoughts and actions consumed humanity, and God’s heart was grieved. His response? A plan to purge the earth of this corruption by sending a flood. But amidst the darkness, one man stood out—Noah. Scripture tells us that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. He was a righteous man, walking in integrity before God and others. God called Noah to build an ark, a colossal task that would ultimately be the vessel for saving his family and preserving life on earth.
NOAH'S FAITH (HEBREWS 11:7)
Noah’s story is not one of works, but of faith. Hebrews 11:7 affirms this by declaring Noah a hero of faith. Despite never having seen rain, Noah believed God's warning of coming judgment. His obedience in building the ark—despite the skepticism of his contemporaries—was an act of reverence. It is faith that believes in things not yet seen, and it is faith that moves with godly fear.
For Noah, the impending judgment was destruction by water. For us, it is the coming day of the Lord as described in 2 Peter 3:8-13. Noah teaches us to take God’s warnings seriously, to understand that God’s judgment is real, and that faith is grounded in both reverence for God’s holiness and trust in His salvation.
A PICTURE OF SALVATION (1 PETER 3:20-21; 2 PETER 2:5)
The flood stands as a symbol of God's judgment on sin, while the ark is a beautiful picture of salvation. God provided the plan, and Noah simply obeyed. As the rain fell and the waters rose, only those who boarded the ark were saved. This is a profound analogy for Christ’s salvation. The ark was a place of refuge, much like the saving grace of Jesus. Salvation was not found in Noah’s ability to navigate the storm but in God’s plan for rescue.
Noah’s faith is also tied to God’s grace. Genesis 6:8 reminds us that Noah found grace in God's eyes. Grace is not something we earn, but a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 reinforces this truth: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God."
A PICTURE OF CHRIST’S RETURN (MATTHEW 24:36-41; LUKE 17:26-27)
The story of Noah is more than a historical account—it serves as a preview of Christ’s return. Jesus Himself compares the days of Noah to the time before His second coming, saying people were eating, drinking, marrying, and going about their lives until the flood came and swept them away. The emphasis here is that people will be caught unaware, with hearts hardened to God’s warnings.
The world in Noah’s time was utterly corrupt—every thought of man was only evil, and the earth was filled with violence. This description bears striking similarity to the moral decline we see today. Just as God sent judgment in Noah’s day, a future judgment is coming, and the only refuge is found in Christ.
Noah's story is a testament to God’s ability to save the righteous. 2 Peter 2:5 assures us that just as God preserved Noah in the flood, He knows how to rescue His people. Are we ready for the coming judgment? Have we taken God’s warnings to heart? The ark was not just a physical structure; it was a symbol of hope and deliverance for those who trusted God’s plan. Christ is our ark today. The door is still open—are you on board?
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