Flood - Destruction or Deliverance

Friday, October 16th

What else do we notice about Noah? Genesis 7:7- 7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood.

Don’t slide past that, that has practical and theological implications.

Think about it, the world was being handed over to its ruin because that’s what it chose. Noah and his family are rescued because of Noah’s righteousness. Which means, practically, what generational influence are you choosing? Generational influence of righteousness or ruin? What will you choose, tov or ra, good or evil, righteousness or ruin?
Noah's righteousness did not save only Noah. It saved his entire family. This is not a small detail tucked into the narrative. It is a theological signal pointing forward to something far greater. The biblical authors are drawing a line from Noah directly to Jesus. One man's obedience brought deliverance to those around him. One man's righteousness covered the unrighteous. Noah foreshadows Christ, but only partially. Noah survived the flood. Jesus did not. Jesus sank beneath the waters of death so that all who take shelter in Him might be rescued. The ark was a vessel of wood. Jesus is a living refuge for all of creation.

Romans 5:18-19 (NLT)- 18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

Application

Without suggesting that one person's faith automatically saves another, how have you seen the faithful choices of one person influence the people around them -- for better or for worse? How does that reality affect the way you think about your own choices? What change do you need to make to walk the path of righteousness, for your sake and the sake of the next generation?