[325 words]
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth… ” (Gen. 6:5).
Before moving in judgment against the most evil and corrupt society in history, God commanded Noah to build an ark. It soon became a symbol of life and salvation to the few who believed God. Even though they refused to accept it, for those who disbelieved it represented impending death and judgment. Peter described Noah during the time he was building the ark, calling him “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Pet. 2:5). Every board he cut and nail he drove was an illustration of the urgency of his message.
God’s warning was stern, His message horrifying. But His patience and mercy prevailed for 120 years, for Scripture says, “… the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing (being built)” (1 Pet. 3:20). Though mercifully warned, the whole world scoffed and died.
A tragedy as great as the flood judgment is that man’s attitude toward God is still the same as back then. Jesus said, “The coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah… before the flood they were eating and drinking… marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matt. 24:37-39).
Like Noah, you are to preach righteousness to an evil and perverse generation by your works and your life. A judgment worse than the flood looms in the future. Be faithful to do that even if folks don’t want to listen. Sometimes you ‘II encounter people who scoff at God’s judgment and mock your Christian life. Don’t be discouraged. Pray for them and be available to serve them and teach them whenever possible. Some will listen, even if it’s only eight souls.
Michael Gilbert
Gardner Church of Christ
Martin, TN