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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
"But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God." (Genesis 6.8-9).
When one considers the condition of the world in which Noah lived, today's focus text is astounding. While we do not know the exact population of the earth at the time Noah lived, by making some conservative assumptions we can see that the earth was not void of mankind by any stretch of the imagination. There were almost certainly millions of people who inhabited the earth and who were part of the universal sin problem that caused God to take the drastic actions which culminated in the flood. The utter wickedness which was typical of Noah's peers is illustrated in the following two verses: “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” (Genesis 6.5-6).
I have frequently heard teachers of the Bible stress the wickedness that preceded the flood by analyzing the statement just quoted. Every intent of man's heart was only evil continually! It was not some of the thoughts; it was not some of the time; it was not seasonal! It was continually such that it could increase no more! Man's depravity had reached a level unprecedented; a level such that even God could not stomach it any more! He was “sorry that He had made man;" His great heart was grieved!
This is the backdrop against which Noah's character ought to be viewed. Spiritually, he stood “head and shoulders” above all others that lived at the time. Noah was a just man! Not only did he do what was right and refuse to do that which was wrong, he attempted to show others the error of their ways and to teach them the paths of righteousness. Peter, writing well over two millennia later, observed that God “...saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.” (2 Peter 2.5). Notice that he was called a preacher of righteousness! How strange that sound must have been in the ears of men who willfully and wantonly chose only to do that which was evil! Sometimes we hear people tell how Noah preached and those passing by mocked as he built the ark. We actually know little of those days or the persecution and ridicule to which he was subjected, but human nature being what it is (and was), it is virtually certain that he suffered many thing at the hands of his neighbors and curious passersby.
The point of this message is not just to show the character of Noah; it further extends to our day and culture and our responsibilities in this the twenty-first century. I do not believe that our day and time compares to the time in which Noah lived. I think that there are good people scattered throughout the world. I believe that in almost every village and town there are people who intend to do right and consciously choose good over evil. So, although many might rightfully decry the moral conditions that are prevalent today, I do not believe that our culture comes anywhere near being as depraved as the one in which Noah lived and to which he preached.
The point is this: If Noah could maintain his integrity and be found righteous in the sight of God while surrounded by only evil people, the excuse that “...Everyone is doing it,” simply will not hold water! In the first place, everyone is not doing it! And in the second place, even if they are, we have the ability to be like Noah and resist the urgings of our peers to live wickedly! In the final analysis, we have a choice in these matters and we will be held accountable for the choices which we make! Noah was a just man!
Questions:
1. RESEARCH: What is the difference, if any, between being just and being righteous?
2. Do you think the world in which we live is equal in wickedness to the one in which Noah lived? Why or why not?
3. Read Exodus 23.2a. How does this command of God relate to the story of Noah?
4. What excuse for evil will be accepted in the final day of judgment? With Noah looking on, would you feel comfortable claiming that peer pressure caused you to sin? Think about it!!
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