WRATH OR GRACE?

© 2004 by Jerry L. Croasmun

READ -- Genesis 6:5-22; 7:1

Is the glass half full or half empty? This age old question can be answered a couple of ways. My favorite response is, "It all depends on how you look at it or your perspective." Someone with an optimistic attitude might tend to always view the glass as half full, while a negative gloom and doom type person would focus only on how empty the glass is. Realizing there are different opinions and perspectives is key, in my opinion, to understanding the story of Noah, the flood, and the ark.

In Genesis 6:13 we read, "So God said to Noah, 'I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.'" And in Genesis 6:17 we read, "I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish." If someone were to read these verses out of context they might conclude that God is only a God of wrath who seeks to punish His people. Many have viewed the story of the flood in Genesis as such and have chosen to categorize it as a fable or allegory. I personally do not hold this view, but for those who do my pastor refers to them as, "Having stinking thinking."

To rightly divide the word we must read the scriptures in context and in Genesis 6:18-19 we read, "But I [God] will establish my covenant with you [Noah], and you will enter the ark--you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you." In reading these verses we learn that the story of Noah, the flood, and the ark is much more than God merely exercising His wrath of judgment on mankind. It is one where God, the creator of all that is in heaven and on earth, chose to save a man named Noah and his family. This story is truly one of grace.

In Genesis 6:9 we learn that Noah walked with God and in Genesis 7:1 we read, "The LORD then said to Noah, 'Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.'" Despite the wickedness of sinful man, God found a man named Noah who walked with God and did according to that, which God commanded him to do. In Hebrews 11:7 we read, "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."

Yes, God did demonstrate His wrath upon the earth during the time of Noah; however, He also clearly demonstrated His love and grace through Noah and his family. God has always had a remnant of people who have faithfully walked with Him. Are we among those today? I certainly pray that we are for God is indeed a God of love and grace, yet He has promised us a new heaven and a new earth. The earth must be destroyed once again if God is to keep His promises.

However, we who are His must not be found weary or afraid for God's grace is sufficient to see us through. And in 2 Peter 2:9 we read, "The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment." The word of God is very controversial and I believe as the time for the Lord, Jesus Christ's return comes closer it will become even more so. Yes, the glass can be viewed as half full or empty. And the story of Noah, the flood, and the ark can be viewed as one of wrath or grace. We must see both perspectives to get the full picture. (See also 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 2 Corinthians 2:16.)

Thank you Lord, Jesus for your servant Noah and his Godly example for our lives. May we find comfort in the words of 1 Peter 3:18-22, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him." Amen.

SALVATION IS FOUND IN THE ARK

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