“In The Days Of Noah”

by Dan Richardson

“…that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved through water” (I Peter 3:20). Please consider some matters the Bible teaches about the days of Noah.

Many were wicked. “And Jehovah 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. And it repented Jehovah that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart” (Genesis 6:5-8). Consider these points from this scripture: 1) God saw man’s wickedness. He is not indifferent to the activities of man upon this earth, but instead sees us all individually and nothing escapes His eyes, “And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13). 2) Humanity was under law to God, or else they could not have been counted wicked, “…sin is not imputed when there is no law” (Romans 5:13). We are reminded that what makes man wicked/sinful is his transgression of divine law (I John 3:4). 3) God views humanity with regard to our relationship with him. He observed most of mankind as wicked in Noah’s day, but, on the other hand, “Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah” (verse 8). All of us would do well to examine our lives and attempt to see ourselves as God see us by studying His word (II Corinthians 13:5). 4) God looks on the heart of man; it is here that sin against God or service to God begins. The heart is the inner man, the composite of one’s intellect, will and emotions which determine who we are as individuals. “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

God gave warning. “By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house…” (Hebrews 11:7). Warnings are given to alert us of oncoming dangers resulting from our choices and actions. Because of the reality of sin in our lives (Romans 3:23), God’s warnings are for our good, with the intent that we should obey His word and escape the sorrow that sin causes now and in eternity (Galatians 6:7-8; Revelation 21:8). In Noah’s day, God warned concerning something not yet seen – a devastating flood brought upon a sinful world. God has since given man many warnings so that we may, “live life and see good days” (I Peter 3:10-12). For example, consider the following warnings: 1) “Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). 2) “…fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). 3) “…but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not thy whole body be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:28-29). 4) “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God; he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son” (II John 9). Thus we see that God’s warnings demand the proper response from man. If we make light of them, or neglect them in any way, it will be to our peril.

God was longsuffering. “…when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah” (I Peter 3:20). God waited in the days of Noah and provided precious opportunities for man’s obedience. In like manner, God’s longsuffering today gives man opportunities to study God’s word and obey. Unfortunately, many despise God’s goodness toward them (Romans 2:4; II Timothy 2:25-26; II Peter 3:3-9). However, those who have a penitent heart, seeking God’s will for their lives, do “account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” (II Peter 3:15), using the time and opportunities given them to the glory of God.

Few were saved. “…wherein few, that is eight souls were saved through water” (I Peter 3:20). Those who serve God are in the minority (Matthew 7:13-14). However, on a positive note, Noah did save his family – an endeavor many Christians today fail to do. How were these eight people saved? 1) They were saved by God’s grace; Noah found “favor” with Jehovah (Genesis 6:8). Grace is unmerited (undeserving) favor of God. Divine grace has brought salvation to all humanity through Jesus Christ (John 1:17), and has given us “the word of his grace” (Acts 20:32), so we may receive instruction for salvation (Romans 1:16; Titus 2:11-12). 2) They were saved through faith. “By faith” Noah prepared an ark (Hebrews 11:7). Though Noah was surrounded by a wicked environment, he did not allow himself to be swept away by the tide of the “immoral majority” so as to become wicked himself. Instead, he moved with “godly fear” and obeyed the pattern God gave him (Genesis 6:14-16, 22). His faith, therefore, was that trust and reverence for God which moved him to the proper response of obedience according to God’s word. Such is characteristic of saving faith in every age (most certainly ours). 3) They were saved through water. Noah and his family sought refuge by entering the ark, and the water that destroyed a wicked world became the means whereby this righteous family was saved from destruction, “eight souls were saved through water” (I Peter 3:20). Now, salvation from sin is likewise accomplished through water – the water of baptism, “which after a true likeness doth now save you…” (I Peter 3:21). There is perhaps no clearer statement in the New Testament concerning the purpose of water baptism than what is stated in this verse. Does one’s faith in this verse in any way suggest they are trusting in themselves for salvation? Absolutely not! God saved Noah and his family through water by grace through faith. Likewise, to accept what the New Testament commands about the essential nature of baptism does not negate faith in God, but rather affirms it because one is trusting in God and obeying His commands (Mark 16:16; John 3:3-5; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5). Many stumble at God’s command to be baptized and it has become, as in Noah’s day, the water that saves the few but the means whereby the majority will perish.