One of the more profound phrases in the Bible states, “…and the Lord shut him in” (Genesis 7:16b, NKJV). This is a climatic portion of God’s judgment of the world in sin at the beginning of time (Genesis 6:5-7). God created man as the epitome of his glory (Psalm 40:5). We were never designed to fail Him, but we fell because we refused to heed His will (Romans 5:12).
But many may ask the question, “How is this an example of God’s mercy towards mankind?” many generations have argued against a “judgmental’ God and His declarative ending with a prediluvian world. First, God stated He would never destroy the Earth again by this means (Genesis 9:11). Second, he only destroyed His handiwork due to a lack of repentance (Joel 2:12-14). Third, this is because God will not tolerate sin forever. Thus, reminders like the flood show God’s determined justice and mercy for all who obey Him (Acts 24:25). Finally, the Bible instructs that we serve a just God, One who never desires eternal punishment for any of His creation (1 Timothy 2:4).
Here is the message. God created man to serve Him in acceptable worship, living, and relation. When mankind would not conform to His will, He declared a “reboot.” Before He activated this judgment, one man was found “not lacking” (Genesis 6:8). Therefore, the Lord shut him in (Genesis 7:16). Why is this significant? The entire earth was populated, but God only saved one man, one family, and one ark due to one man’s faith! Peter later records, “…when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water” (1 Peter 3:20b).
Next, God saved what needs to be saved to fulfill His promise to save mankind from his fall (Genesis 3:15). He accomplished this by closing the door to the ark after it began to rain. The Bible never concludes the additional relationships that Noah held. I am sure other family members, friends, and acquaintances ignored his warning of the coming disaster (2 Peter 2:5). When the rains and floods were entirely conceived, I am sure someone came knocking, but it was too late. Noah could not control the door to gain access to them. I am sure the desperate screams of reality were almost unbearable. Like today, no human hands control access to salvation; this is up to God. Like the door to the ark, access is restricted by the One who designed the ship. The Lord kept this safe by denying his door control that day. We have a “like figure” today, which saves (1 Peter 3:21). And the lesson from the past is a sense of urgency to gain access THROUGH the “door” of salvation before it is closed to us (Matthew 16:18).
Think about these things,
Archie R. Green
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