Ep. 5. Genesis 6-9 | The Flood

EPISODE 5

THE FLOOD

The flood in the days of Noah is one of the most iconic Bible stories. 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." It is significant to see the flood coincides with the death of Methuselah. I have always wondered if he died during the flood, 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 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 12. Their righteousness isn't a matter of their works but their confidence in the work and words of God. Noah and his family will be on the ark for a year and ten days.

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)

ADDITIONAL READING: Numbers 13:33; Ezekiel 14:14-20; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:18-20; Genesis 1:27-28; 2 Peter 2:5; 2 Peter 3:1-7; Ephesians 1:12-13