The story of the flood is so well known that it is easy to forget how dreadful the events really were. You might well find it hard to see how this could be the right thing for a loving God to do. But we need to assume that the situation warranted such an action. Do we judge God by what we think is right, or do we judge what is right by what God thinks? Humanity must have been in an extraordinarily depraved state (see Genesis 6:11-12) to necessitate this action. And that is the point. As humans we habitually downplay the seriousness of rebellion against God. The flood is there as a testimony to how serious this rebellion actually is. But this story is simply preparation for the main theme of the Bible. The Bible is the story of God’s love to mankind. Genesis 1-11 forms the prologue of a story that begins in chapter 12. In Genesis 12, God makes a promise of grace through Abram to the world. God’s intention was to pay the price for the sins of the world in Christ so we could receive grace. Grace means ‘undeserved favour’. For ‘grace’ to have any meaning we need to see what just-judgement looks like. We see this in the flood. If the flood is not justified, then God’s love in sending Christ is rendered void. Christ’s act of redemption is prefigured in the story of Noah. Jesus Christ is like the ark. If we live our life in him, we will be saved from judgement. God’s ultimate desire for you and every other person is not judgement but blessing.
Thank God for your redemption in Christ.
Read Genesis 6:9 to 7:24
