10 Weeks in Genesis: Lesson 4
WEEK FOUR: WATCH EPISODE 5 FROM BIBLE IN A YEAR STUDY
THE FLOOD:
The flood in the days of Noah is one of the most iconic Bible stories. Almost every kid who has ever walked through the doors of a church has heard it at one time or another. We may miss the Jesus significance in the text, but hopefully, by the time we're done today, we will see how it clearly points to Jesus.
One thing to note from Chapter 5 of Genesis is Methuselah's name can mean a few different things, but one of the interpretations of his name is "he dies. It happens." Methuselah is the son of Enoch, a righteous prophet of the Lord. It should not surprise us that he would name his son "he dies. It happens." It is significant to see the flood coincides with the death of Methuselah. Working backwards we see that Noah was 600 years old when the flood came upon the earth. When Noah was born to Lamech, Lamech was a youthful 182-year-old. One hundred and eighty-seven years before Lamech was born, his father, Methuselah, was born. When you add those years together from the birth of Methuselah to the flood, you get 187 plus 182 plus 600, the total being 969 years, the exact age Methuselah died. I have always wondered if he died during the flood or just prior to it, but the Bible is silent on that issue.
In Genesis chapters 6-9, we hear the account of the flood. It grieved God that he made men on the earth. "My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh; his days shall be 120 years." People occasionally argue that God meant humankind would not live past 120 years of age from that point forward. This is not the meaning of the text, as many people, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all lived longer than 120 years. It is more likely that God has numbered the years of humanity on the earth at 120 years left before he brings the flood. God is setting a timer until the day the flood would ravage the earth. Others will suggest it was a period specified by God because that's how long it would take Noah to build the ark. This is also not supported by the text, and the text actually contradicts this idea. Noah was 600 years old when the flood came to the earth. Noah was about 500 years old when he had his sons, yet when God told Noah about the coming judgment in flood form, he gave instructions to Noah and Noah's sons, along with their wives. So Noah and his sons built the ark in less than 100 years, and since they were already grown and married, it is probably closer to 50-60 years (or maybe less) to build the ark. But that's just speculation.
The most significant thing in the story of the ark is the righteousness of Noah and his family. We see in Hebrews 11:7 that Noah became an heir of righteousness through faith. Righteousness will always be a matter of faith, as we will later see in Genesis 15. Their righteousness isn't a matter of their works but their confidence in the work and words of God. Furthermore, Hebrews 11 tells us that though Noah and his family were heirs of righteousness, the rest of the world was condemned. Those who rejected God's provision for salvation were to suffer the judgment of God. Noah and his family lived on the ark for a year and ten days.
So a couple of things we should focus on: God provided salvation for Noah and his family. The Bible calls Noah a "preacher of righteousness." (See 2 Peter 2:5). Noah, like the prophets who would succeed him, warned of God's coming judgment. God has also provided for the whole of mankind's salvation in Christ Jesus. Those who do not enter into the salvation provided by Jesus will suffer the judgment of God. God sealed Noah and his family into the ark, just as we are sealed in Christ by the Holy Spirit. Noah was declared righteous by faith, just as we are. The wicked were destroyed for their disbelief in the warnings of God, just as the wicked will perish at the end of the age. Noah and his family were carried above death and decay to a new place and given a covenant that God would never again destroy the earth by a flood. We, who are in Christ, will be carried ultimately to the New Jerusalem, never to die again. Noah and his family were literally lifted up above the decay and death, as we have been raised up above decay and death in Christ. I also find it interesting that Noah sent out a raven that never returned to the ark, but the dove he sent out did return until there was a place for him to rest his foot. The raven would have been perfectly happy to flit and fly from corpse to corpse, but the dove would not be satisfied with death and decay as a home. I don't want to over-extend the analogy into unbiblical territory, so I'll just admit I find it quite interesting.
If you're missing the picture, Christ is our ark. We have been sealed in him by the Father through the Spirit. It is no work of our own by which we have come to be in Christ but through our faith. Christ has rescued us from condemnation and declared us righteous. We have been raised up to walk in the newness of life and no longer according to the things of the world. In Christ, we will be transferred to a new world where we will be in covenant with the Father, who will never again bring about the destruction of mankind. I love it so much. The whole of the gospel story is contained in the story of the Ark and outlined for us in Hebrews 11:7.
I am not smart enough to understand the mysteries of 1 Peter 3, but we are told that on the days Jesus was in the grave, he went and preached to those who did not obey in the days of the flood. When people ask me if God gives everyone a chance to know Jesus, I find this text to be a helpful example.
Though these present heavens and earth will not be destroyed by a flood again, we know they are reserved for destruction via fire. As Noah had a way of escape, so do we in Christ Jesus. And as Noah was righteous by faith, we find that we who have put our faith in Jesus are declared righteous by faith as well. Just as God sealed Noah and his family in the ark, we are also sealed in Christ by the Holy Spirit.
You will notice the problem of sin is not addressed by the flood, for the wickedness of man before the flood still exists after the flood. (See Genesis 6:5 and 8:21) Thankfully, Christ has destroyed the power of sin and death through the cross and his resurrection so that we can now live in the freedom and glory of God.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The children's stories of the Bible are not usually as small as we have made them to be
The flood story includes the story of redemption, righteousness, and judgment
Righteousness has always been a matter of faith. (Genesis 15:6, Hebrews 11:7, Philippians 3:9)
DISCUSSION:
What, if anything, stood out to you today in the video? What thoughts were new or encouraging to you?
What is your earliest memory of the Flood Story?
Do you feel that the themes of redemption, righteousness, and justice are often taught correctly when this text is presented to children? Why or why not? How can we improve upon our teaching/understanding of this text in light of the gospel?
Why do some people struggle with the idea of "righteous by faith" as an Old Testament concept? How can we make sure we have a proper understanding of the relationship between faith and righteousness?
What is a key takeaway from today's lesson you hope to hold on to?
PRAYER:
God, we thank you for the saving work you have done for us through Christ by faith. We thank you that righteousness is not a matter of our own work. We thank you that you have sealed us safely in Christ and that we need not fear any condemnation or judgment. We thank you for raising us up from death to life. We praise your name, that you will bear us completely and finally to the New Jerusalem and into your presence and glory. Amen.
