A Story Of Folly, Favor, And Flood

A Story Of Folly, Favor, And Flood

Text: Gen.6: 8

Intro: In my early years, as a member of the Primary or Junior Sunday school class, at Crestview Baptist Church, in Petal, Mississippi, I was often enthralled by the story of Noah and the Ark. Having a rather vivid imagination; I pictured myself as Noah, who had just finished building the Ark, after 120 years of hard labor. In my mind’s eye I envisioned two columns of animals, of all shapes and sizes, ambling onto the Ark, as my sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth scurried about, hurriedly driving all the various kinds of animals to their particular enclosures.

While still captivated by my imaginary alter ego, I took a moment from my supervisory duties to catch my breath. I glanced up at the ominous clouds that had already begun to gather menacingly overhead. I’d never seen clouds look this angry. Nor had I ever witnessed the wind blowing so violently. This was all new to me, and I found it rather scary.

At last, from my vantage point on the deck of the Ark, I could see the end of what had earlier appeared to be an endless line of creatures. After a few minutes of watching from the deck, I decided to go below, where I stood just inside the large door in the side of the Ark, through which the animals had been entering for countless hours. As my sons were driving in the few remaining animals, I took another look at the sky. At that moment the most amazing thing happened. Water began to fall from the sky. But even more amazing to me was the fact that even while the water fell from the sky, jagged tongues of fire branched out all over the face of the heavens, followed by a sound like the crash of a hundred waterfalls that seemed to roll from one end of the sky to the other. I pulled back in horror.

As the last animal, along with my sons, ran into the vessel, the large door in the side of the Ark began to close of its own accord. God’s judgment against sin had begun. I had preached the need for repentance toward God to my people for 120 years. But none but my own family believed me. Now, the time for repentance was over. The door of the Ark was shut. But worse was the thought that no one could get in. Their doom was sealed.

Folks, what I’ve just described to you were the imaginations of a young boy. But the basic facts are real. You see the account of Noah and the Ark is a realistic explanation of God’s holy nature, and His hatred of sin, as seen by His pronouncement of coming judgment. However, this true story also reveals the mercy and grace of God, as seen by the fact that He provided a way of escaping His wrath, to all who would believe His message. This is a symbolic picture of salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Theme: This story tells us of:

I. THE SORROW OF GOD’S HEART

A. Sin Brought A Sigh To God’s Heart.

1. God gazed upon mankind’s wickedness.

Gen.6: 5 “And God 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.”

NOTE: [1] The idea of the word “imagination” is that not only were man’s thoughts evil, but so were his intents, purposes, and desires. It can be summed up as follows:

Man was utterly corrupt, bad in heart and in conduct. There was no good in him. The whole bent of his thoughts and imaginations was completely out of line with the will of Jehovah. Flesh was on the throne. God was forgotten or openly defied.

Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison, Editors, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; pg. 12.

[2] Dear friends, just as in the days of Noah, when God gazed upon the everyday existence of mankind, and saw his utter corruption, He also sees the despicable nature and gross wickedness of modern-day man. God still sees all. No one can hide their actions or motives from God. Listen to what God says:

Jer.23: 24 “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.”

2. God grieved over man’s wickedness.

Gen.6: 6 “And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”

NOTE: [1] The word “repented” does not indicated that God realized that He had made a mistake by making man. This word “…speaks of taking a deep breath in extreme pain” (Ibid, pg. 12). In today’s language, we would refer to this as a sigh. This word must be connected with the word “grieved,” in the last phrase of verse six, which basically means “…to pierce oneself or to experience piercing” (Ibid, pg. 12).