Genesis 6:5-6 records how God saw how widespread wickedness had become on Earth, with every thought coming out of people’s hearts being filled with only negative impulses. At such an extreme state of sinfulness, He chose Noah to build the Ark as His solution.
What does this mean, and why has God chosen Noah to carry out this vital duty?
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God was looking for a righteous man
God chose Noah for multiple reasons when choosing Noah as His prophet and leader of his people. First and foremost was faithfulness – Noah always did what God asked no matter the consequences. Additionally, Noah believed everything he heard God say even if it meant ridicule from others or labeling as madness from society at large; his faith made him righteous in God’s eyes as He knew that Noah would fulfill his task successfully and save his people from destruction.
Noah lived in an unjust world where violence reigned supreme, according to Genesis 6:5. God saw that humankind’s wickedness was great and their hearts filled with nothing but evil (Genesis 6:5); so much so, that He wanted to wipe them all out but instead spared Noah and his family due to their righteousness.
The story of Noah and the Flood is one that captures both judgment and salvation, obedience and disobedience in an unforgettable narrative that still affects us today. Noah serves as an excellent example of saving faith, defined as “the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Noah put his trust and belief in God’s promise of flooding to build an ark to protect his family. This action demonstrated faith.
The Bible states that Noah “found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” Some translations use the phrase, “found grace,” which is certainly appropriate here. God’s grace is His gift of His love; and is available to all who trust in Him. According to Scripture, Noah was a man who walked with Him. One reason he found grace was by obeying God’s instructions regarding building an ark for protection from flood waters and stocking it with food and two of each species of animal as well as his family members – obedience and trust made him righteous before Him and ultimately led God himself choosing him over many others!
He needed a clean slate
Noah lived in an unscrupulous world full of violence. God was dissatisfied with it and wanted a fresh start, so He chose Noah to build the ark; He needed a blank canvas in which to begin again with his creation of mankind.
Noah was an extraordinary example of faith, and this faith earned him God’s favor. According to Scripture, Noah lived by “a spring of living water”; Hebrews 11:1 describes this faith as the substance of hope in things not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1). Noah trusted in what God promised him and obeyed His word with great devotion – building an ark for his family out of love for them and hope in God’s promise.
The Bible depicts Noah as being righteous, which was why God chose him as his chosen vessel. Not because he was perfect or without sins of his own; rather it was due to him following God’s ways despite evil around him – Noah believed and trusted in God even when alone.
Genesis 6:5-7 tells us that God observed with sadness that people’s wickedness was widespread throughout the earth, with each intention only ever leading towards evil. This caused Him great sorrow, yet He regretted creating man in the first place. But Noah found grace with Him.
God was gracious enough to protect Noah and his family from destruction by providing a fresh start. Furthermore, he gave Noah an invaluable gift: knowing when the flood would start and for how long. God alleviated any anxiety over when to board their ark; although it required much hard work from Noah due to his devotion to the Lord as both an advocate of righteousness and an expert shipbuilder; thus making him the ideal candidate.
He needed a preacher of righteousness
Noah lived as a testimony of righteousness. He obeyed God and followed His commands, not without struggle but always striving to do what was right. Though some mockers of his faith mocked it, Noah took God seriously and his faith condemned the lack of trust within society at that time.
God was disappointed in humanity of his day. Genesis 6:5 records this sentiment with great emotion: “The Lord saw that mankind’s wickedness had increased greatly on Earth and that they always thought evil thoughts.” (Genesis 6:5) One could interpret this passage as God being sad that He had created such creatures to begin with!
But that does not imply that God was unmerciful; He is both loving and forgiving, yet has an objective standard He uses to judge everyone fairly – hence why He sent Noah as His prophet to preach His truth to humanity.
Noah was mocked and called crazy by those living during his day; in truth they were the ones acting inexplicably; it is those who reject God’s Word who are insane; Noah stood as a testimony of righteousness as his faith enabled him to escape destruction.
Noah began preaching to the people when the Ark was completed, explaining its purpose and Jesus as He came to save His people from sin. It also represented a new covenant which would eventually be fulfilled when Christ offered Himself as the spotless Lamb of God and sacrificed Himself as part of this process; seven clean animals and two unclean ones symbolized Israel’s command to offer animal sacrifices that represented this process leading up to Christ offering himself as sin offering and was considered the beginning of Christ’s sacrifice for sins.
He needed a savior
God considered Noah a righteous man who faithfully carried out what He asked of him and never deviated from these instructions. God needed someone like Noah to work alongside Him and implement His plan on Earth – so He chose him as part of His team and spared both himself and his family from drowning during the flood.
Noah lived during a time in history when God decided that humanity had reached its limit of wickedness and filthiness, exceeding His boundaries for patience or mercy. God decided that they must be destroyed as punishment for their sinfulness; His decision wasn’t one made out of anger or impatience but simply inevitable as part of humanity’s fall from grace.
God knew only one person deserved saving from the flood and so He sent Noah an order from Him to build an ark. At hearing this call from above, Noah obeyed without question knowing he and his family would be spared; should they refuse, their lives could be in peril and would end up lost forever.
After 150 days, Noah sent out two doves and one raven to see if there was dry land; both did not return, so he waited seven more days before sending another dove – it then showed that water levels had receded significantly, leaving dry land behind.
God promised Noah that He would not flood the Earth again, as evidenced by a rainbow’s appearance. Noah’s journey teaches us the cost of following God may include alienation from society and doubt. But we must remember that following Jesus can bring great rewards. Following him gives our lives meaning and brings glory to God – which is why it should not make us ashamed to share our faith with others. Jesus promises those who trust in Him that He will reward their faith (Matthew 25:34). However, scripture warns against abandoning our beliefs as this leads to eternal loss (Revelation 2:9 and 14:12). Though terrifying to consider, eternal life makes the sacrifice worth while!
