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Old Testament Reading: Genesis 6:9-22

“These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.” (Genesis 6:9–22, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 17:20–27

“Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.’ And he said to the disciples, ‘The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.’” (Luke 17:20–27, ESV)

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Introduction

We have come now the very famous story of Noah and the ark. This story is probably familiar to you. If you were brought up in a Christian home it is likely that you were exposed to this story at a young age. I’m sure you can picture the illustration of it as it is typically portrayed in a children’s story Bible? There you see cartoon Noah along with the ark he built and a line of animals parading into it, two by two. 

I am not complaining about children’s story Bibles. I think it is good and fine to expose our children to biblical narratives at young age, and in a way appropriate to their capacity. But there does come a time when we need to progress beyond a childish understanding of things. Today we will begin to carefully consider the story of the flood, of Noah and his ark, and the covenant which God made with him. 

Let me say three things by way of introduction:

One, the flood narrative of Genesis 6:9-9:17 is a very important part of the overarching story of redemption that is found in scripture. The flood, Noah’s deliverance from it, and the covenant made with Noah have very much to do with our salvation in Jesus Christ. I’m afraid that many view this story as if it only has to do with the preservation of Noah, his family, and through them, of mankind and of the animal kingdom. It is about that. But this story is also about Christ and the salvation that is found in him. Friends, Christ is at the heart of this story, as we will see. 

Two, it is our view that the flood, and Noah’s deliverence from from it, actually happened. I’m afraid that many view this story as it if it were only a fable. Notice that Moses presents the story of Noah and the ark as if it were true history. Notice also that the rest of scripture treats the flood narrative as if it were true history. Just a moment ago we heard Jesus’ words concerning the flood as recorded in Luke’s gospel. You would do well to notice that Jesus himself  spoke of  the flood as if it were real history. In fact, Jesus taught that before he returns to judge the world and to consummate his kingdom the world will be as it was in the days of Noah — “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26–27, ESV). Jesus viewed the flood narrative as if were real history, and so do we.

It is also interesting to observe that storys of a great flood are known from cultures around the world. This also supports the historicity of the biblical narrative. I will not linger long here, for it is somewhat outside the scope of this sermon, but it is fascinating to compare the biblical account of the flood with other ancient flood narratives. In particular it is beneficial to compare the biblical story with the Mesopotamian story as told in the epic of Gilgamesh. If you were to set the two stories side by side you would notice many similarities and also significant differences. The question is, how do we interpret the similarities and the differences? In my opinion, the similarities are the result of the historical event itself. There really was a great flood. Noah and his family were truly preserved  along with the animals, etc., etc. The differences are a result of the pagan distortion of the true story, which was preserved in the righteous line of Noah, Ham and Abraham (as we will see), and is now recorded for in the pages of Holy Scripture by the hand Moses. The flood story of the Bible is true history. 

Three, though it be true that the story of Noah and the ark has very much to do with Jesus Christ and our salvation in him, it also has to do with God’s judgement. Here is the aspect of the story that many downplay when telling it to their children. God sent the flood waters to covered the earth to judge the wicked. Many perished in the flood. This watery judgement foreshadows the fiery judgement that will come upon the earth at the end of time when Christ returns to make all things new. 

Let us now consider this text in three parts. 

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“These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”

Verses 9 and 10 are transitional. Here Noah is introduced to us. In verse 9 we read, “These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth” (Genesis 6:9–10, ESV).

The words, “These are the generations of…” tell us that we have come to a new section in the book of Genesis. This is the beginning of the third of the ten major sections of the book. In Genesis 2:4 we read, “These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created…” In Genesis 5:1 we read, “This is the book of the generations of Adam.” And here in Genesis 6:9 we read, “These are the generations of Noah.” Genesis 6:9 through to 10:1 tells of lives Noah and his three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth. Notice, therefore, that this section of Genesis is very focused. It hones in upon the life of one man and speaks to  one event — the event of the flood and the covenant made with Noah concerning his deliverance. This is different from the genealogy of Adam, isn’t it? For there in Adam’s genealogy many people were mentioned, and great span of human history was covered. We should understand, therefore, that Noah was a very important figure and the events narrated to us here in the passage are of great significance. 

Here in verse 9 we learn that “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation.” This does not mean that Noah was perfect. No one is without sin. Noah was no exception. This will become very clear later in the book of Genesis when we hear of Noah’s drunkenness after the floodwaters subsided. 

What does it mean, then, that Noah was righteous and blameless? First of all, it means that Noah was clothed in the righteousness of Christ received by faith alone. Hebrews 11:7 makes this clear when it says, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” (Hebrews 11:7, ESV). Noah received a righteousness that belonged to another. He was clothed with an alien righteousness. He inherited his righteousness from Christ, and this he received by faith. 

Secondly, it means that Noah lived a holy life. He stood out as distinct in the world. While everyone around him lived for their own pleasure and in sin, Noah lived a holy life. So holy was Noah that he is called “blameless”. Noah make a practice of keeping God’s law. The rebuilt of Noah’s righteousness and blamelessness is found in this statement: “Noah walked with God.” Noah, therefore, was like Enoch who lived before him. Enoch “walk with God” we were told. Noah and Enoch were  known for having particularly close relationship with God. 

While it is very important to emphasize that Noah was not a perfect human being. And while it is important to point out that Noah was right with God only because he was clothed with the righteousness o f Christ which is received by faith alone, as Hebrews 11:7 so clearly teaches —  these things must be emphasized, for at the heart of all manmade and false religions is the idea that men and women are able to justify themselves by their own good works 

 And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth — it must also be emphasized that Noah was in fact a holy man. He lived a righteous life. He pursued holiness and attained it to the degree that he was called blameless. By the grace of God Noah enjoyed a close walk with God because he lived in obedience to his commandments. 

Brothers and sisters, I hope that you are trusting in Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins. I hope that you have abandoned all hope in establishing a righteousness of your own before God, but are clothed instead by the righteousness of Christ imputed to you and received by faith in Christ. There is no salvation, no forgiveness of sins, no righteousness before God outside of union with Christ. With that said, I hope that you are also pursuing a holiness without which no one will see the Lord  (Hebrews 12:14). Friends, I implore you, having been made holy by the blood of Christ received by faith alone, live holy. Having been made righteousness by the righteousness of Christ imputed to you received by faith alone, live right before God. Oh that it might be said of you and me that we walked with God, were righteous and blameless in our generation. 

Is this not our calling in Christ Jesus? 

The Apostle Peter exhorted Christians saying, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:13–16, ESV).

The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians saying, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:12–13, ESV).

The Apostle John commends us with these words: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15–17, ESV).

Friends, we must take our sanctification in Christ Jesus seriously. Our confession describes the process of our sanctification — that process by which we more and more die to self and live to God — as “a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.” I ask you, are you fighting this war? Are you daily dressing for battle? Are you taking up your shield and sword to fight, or have you given up? The enemy will not hold back, friends. You’ll be overrun if you cease from fighting. And so I urge you to fight. Pursue holiness in Christ Jesus, friends. May we walk in  manner worth of our call, giving honor to God in all of our thoughts, words, and  deeds. 

“Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” With these words, the main characters in the flood narrative are introduced to us. 

*****

“Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.”

In verses 11 and 12 we find a statement concerning the corruption of man that had filled the earth in Noah’s day: “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” (Genesis 6:11–12, ESV)

Notice the threefold repetition of the word “corrupt” in this passage.  “The earth was corrupt in God’s sight…” And “God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt…”, “for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.”

The Hebrew verb translated as “corrupt” means “to spoil, to ruin, to destroy, to pervert.”^⁠1 The world, that is to say the people of the world had ruined themselves by their perversion. They had distorted God’s design by their rebellion against his revealed will.  And God saw it all. God sees our perversion, friends. 

When we read the words, “God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt…” we are to be reminded of those repeated  words of Genesis 1 where after God created this realm or that we read “and God saw that it was good.” At the end of day six of creation we read these words, “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31, ESV). But here in Genesis 6:11 we read, “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” (Genesis 6:11–12, ESV)

Notice that the end result of the corruption of man was violence. “The earth was filled with violence”, we read at the end of verse 11. Corrupt and sinful societies will always devolve into a state of violence. Where there is covetousness and greed, where there is dishonesty, where there is theft, and where there is  adultery there will also be widespread violence — men will even murder one another as corruption increases. In Noah’s day, the earth was thoroughly corrupt and filled with violence.  

In the line of Cain we witnessed the rise of injustice and violence. Lamech took two wives and then bosted about that he killed a young man merely for wounding him. Eventually tyrannical and oppressive rulers and kings came to power. These so called sons of God saw that the daughter of man were attractive and they took as many as they desired. Now we learn that not only were the rulers corrupt, oppressive and violent, but the whole world had grown corrupt, oppressive and violent.  

Friends, I hope that these words never fail to astonishing you: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV). What world did God love? What world did God provide a Savior for, so that all who believe upon him perish not, but have life eternal? It is this world — a world ruined by sin, filled with all manner up corruption and violence. God loved this world. Our God is very patient, gracious and kind indeed.  

*****

“And God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.’”

In verses 13 through 22 we encounter the first of four divine speeches found within this flood narrative, which stretches through to chapter 9 verses 17.  

The divine speech is introduced with the words, “And God said to Noah…” Let us think about those words for a moment. God spoke to Noah. God, in his grace, still related to and revealed himself to man.  

And what did God say to Noah?

First, a statement regarding God’s plans to judge. Verse 13:  “And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” (Genesis 6:13, ESV)

If we were reading this text in the original Hebrew we would certainly notice that Hebrew word which was translated “corrupt” three times in verses 11 and 12  appears here again in verse 13 where it translated, “destroy”. If we were to translate the Hebrew with the English word “ruined” then the meaning would come through. Verse 11: “Now the earth was [ruined] in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was [ruined], for all flesh had [ruined] their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will [ruin] them with the earth” (Genesis 6:11–13, ESV). Because man had ruined his way and ruined the earth, God determined to ruin them. 

Secondly, instructions for Noah regarding the construction of the ark. Verse 14: “Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks” (Genesis 6:14–16, ESV).

This was a very large vessel. According to our measurements the ark would have been 450 feet long by 75 feet wide by 45 feet tall. Notice that the ark was made with three levels

A carefull consideration of the ark and its construction reveals that the ark was a kind of microcosm of the cosmos which God made in the beginning. The earthly realm consists of three levels — the heavens, the earth and the seas. The ark with its three decks is a replica of the earthly realm. And like the early realms, the ark was to be filled with animal life and vegetation so that it mighty be a place suitable for human habitation. 

Furthermore,  the ark was a kind of miniature version of the tabernacle and temple that Israel would eventually build. Notice carefully that in the scriptures there are only two structures that God commanded to man to build, giving specific instructions and dementions for the construction thereof — the ark and the tabernacle. The tabernacle consisted of three realms — the courtyard, the holy place, and the holy of holies. This corresponds to the three realms of the ark.  

All of this ties together when we recognize that Eden, the ark and tabernacle share this in common — all three were to designed by God to function as a sanctuary for man. All three were places where man would live in the presences of God. 

Noah was commanded to build the ark, and he was provided specific instructions concerning its design and construction, so that the it would be a place of sanctuary for Noah and his family. In that ark Noah would find life. In that ark, Noah would live in God’s presence. The ark was a vessel of salvation. And as such, it prefigured the Christ,  who is the true temple of God, the true sanctuary, the one through whom we are saved, not from the waters of judgement, but from our sins. 

Thirdly, we have brutally direct and clear statement regarding the coming  judgement. Verse 17: “For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die” (Genesis 6:17, ESV).

Ponder for a moment the severity of God’s judgment. How many people and animals perished in the flood? We do not know. Certainly tens of thousands, if not many more. Did God do wrong when he judged the earth in this way? Certainly not. God was right to judge the wicked. And will God do wrong when at the end of time he judges the ungodly? Certainly not, for all of his judgments are righty and true. The flood was not the final judgement, for Noah, his family and some of the animals were spared so that the life would continue on earth. But is was a type of the judgement to come. Just as in the ark we find a picture of Christ, so too in the floodwaters we see a picture of the judgement that we come at the end of time. 

Fourthly, we hear an explanation of God’s purpose for having Noah build an ark. Verse 18: “For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them” (Genesis 6:17–21, ESV).

God’s purpose for the construction of the ark was so that he might preserve the animals, Noah, his family and establish a covenant with him. 

This is the first time the word “covenant” is used in scripture, but it is not the first covenant that was made. A covenant of works was made with Adam in the garden. Life was promised to him upon the keeping of that covenant, and death was threatened upon the breach of it. Adam broke that covenant of works and entered into a state of death — he and all his posterity. 

Now God promised to establish a covenant with Noah, should he be faithful to build the ark eneter into it according to the command of God. Think for a moment of the faith required of Noah to build such a massive structure being prompted to build by the word of God alone. He must have been ridiculed. It must of cost him a great deal to build such a massive structure. And yet he did it by faith in obedience to God’s word. 

And what was the covenant that God would establish with him? We call it the “Noahaic covenant“. It is a covenant of common grace. Through this covenant men and women are not saved from their sins. But in this covenant humanity was preserved and the full and final judgement of God is delayed so that God might bring about his redemptive purposes. The specifics of this covenant will be communicated to Noah after the floodwaters subside. 

In Genesis 9:8 we find the establishment of the covenant which God promised to Noah here in this passage: “Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’ God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth’” (Genesis 9:8–17, ESV).

No one has ever been saved from their sins by the promises of the Noahic covenant. Salvation from our sins is only found in the covenant of grace which was ratified in Christ blood and received by faith in him alone. But the Noahic covenant is not altogether separated from and unrelated to our redemption in Christ. It should be evident to all that without the Noahic covenant the Christ would have never come. If God did not spare Noah and his family from the flood the seed of the woman promise in Genesis 3:15 would have been cut off. The Noahic covenant made room for the outworking of the covenant of redemption, that is to say, of God’s plan for the salvation of his people in Christ. Furthermore, though it is true that Noah was not saved by virtue of that covenant which God established with him, he was saved by believing upon Christ who was typified before him in that ark which sheltered he and his family from the outpouring of the wrath of God upon the world. 

What was God’s purpose in  having Noah build that ark? To save he and his family from the flood, to preserve the animals, and to establish a covenant with Noah — not a covenant that would save from sins, but a covenant which would leave room for the accomplishment of the covenant of grace ratified in Christ’s blood. 

Fifthly, we find  a statement regarding Noah’s faithfulness. Verse 22: “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him” (Genesis 6:22, ESV).

I’ll read again Hebrews 11:7: “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” (Hebrews 11:7, ESV).

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Conclusion 

Friends, let us take a moment to apply these truths? What can we learn from the world that once, the increase of corruption upon the earth, the righteousness of Noah, and God’s making of a covenant with him?

First, I must urge you to place your faith in Christ and to be found in him, sheltered by him from the coming wrath of God. God judged the world once with water. He will come with fire at the end of time. And in that day all will stand before him to be judged for all eternity. To stand alone and in your own sins will mean eternal death. To stand before God in Christ, covered by his blood and clothed in his righteousness will mean salvation — life everlasting. The ark carried Noah and his family through the waters of the flood. Only Christ is able to carry you through the fiery  judgement at the end of time.  You must found in him. You must enter into his shelter through the door of faith. Turn  from your sins and believe upon Christ. 

Secondly, if you are in Christ I ask, are you living holy before God? Is your w ay of life distinguishable from the way of the world. Can it be said of you that you that you are a righteous man or woman in  your generation? None is perfect, this I know. But I pray that you would pursue holiness. 

Thirdly, I would urge you not to loose hope or to dispair over the increase of wickedness that we see in the world around us. We should grieve over sin — ours and the sins of others. But we should not dispair. God has a way of accomplishing his purposes despite our rebellion. Do not loose hope or be overrun with fear. Be faithful. Obey God always, and trust in him always and to the end. 

¹ Warren Baker and Eugene E. Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), 1124.