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NOAH: NEW DAY, NEW MAN Genesis 6:1-8 And it came to pass...That those who would call themselves the sons of God, followers of the Holy One, would seek union and unity with the daughters of men, followers of the way of Cain. They saw that the daughters of men were fair (vs. 2). But what God saw was wickedness (vs. 5). And so it continues to this day. Many of us who profess to be sons of God, try to crossbreed godliness with the ways of man. We want to enjoy God's blessings of life in the Garden of Eden, while we feast on the forbidden fruit, also. But God is a holy God. His way, His truth, and His life cannot be united with anything that is contrary, even if it seems "fair" to us. Being a true son of God means we must recognize and submit to His authority, and be in agreement with Him. God commands separation. Trying to unite the ways of God with the ways of men always leads to wickedness in the sight of God. And when the fullness of wickedness had come, God's attitude turned from mercy to judgment. Gen. 6:6 - And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart. Gen. 6:7 - And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth...This does not mean that God was caught by surprise, and all of a sudden, He switched to Plan B. The word “repent,” when referring to God, expresses His changing way of relating to men. From mercy to judgment or judgment to mercy, they are both contained within God's perfect, unchanging Being. His ultimate purpose never changes because He already knows the end result. Now God cannot allow His mercy to be used as a license to continue in sin. He knew that many would reject the love of their Creator, and become rebellious. He knew that many would have to be judged for refusing to turn from their wickedness. Yet, when the physical reality of it actually comes, it still grieves God's heart. His relationship to us is personal and intimate. So, why didn't God just destroy mankind completely? It was all because of one man. Gen. 6:8 - But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. So what set Noah apart from everyone else who suffered judgment? In Gen. 6:9, Noah is described as a righteous man; by God's grace, he was justified through faith in the promised seed (Jesus). Noah was a blameless man—genuine faith produced in Noah's life a lawfulness in character and conduct. He did not seek to corrupt God's ways, but kept himself separate from the moral evil that was all around him. Noah walked with God—he desired and sought communion with God. And let's not forget that he was obedient in building the ark. Through this act of obedience, Noah and his household were saved from the cleansing flood of judgment. Romans 11:22 - Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. ~ Jim Krauser
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