Why the Flood in Noah's Days? Gen. 6:5-6

We are to learn from the Bible why certain things happen, and we are also to find out why God had to punish people for certain wrong doings. It is from such observations that we can determine to make our way of living acceptable before God. We are therefore to learn and follow the right way required by God for our salvation. If we are to be saved we need to follow God’s ways and requirements and to forsake unnecessary pleasure.

During the early days of man living on earth he chose to disobey God and the result was death. It seemed to man that what God told him was a lie and in fact instead of believing his Creator he believed a creature. By disobeying God he brought himself in the line of death and was sent out from the garden of Eden.

From Adam to the time of Noah people died. But in Noah’s time God chose to punish people because they were more wicked. God did not tolerate this, so he told Noah to prepare for his salvation. Noah did his part by constructing a ship in which he and others, and the animals were saved. Why did God think to punish people and to kill them by flooding? Even those who could swim got tired and they were swept away in the deep waters, and there was no dry land for them to escape to.

In Genesis we learn that it grieved God that he had made man (Gen.6:5-6): "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." This is a clear picture of what man had done up to a point that God could not tolerate such wickedness. In vs. 11-12 we are told that the earth was corrupt before God and the earth was filled with violence: "And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." God told Noah that what was happening on the earth grieved him and for that reason He was going to destroy man. Noah was told that man was corrupt and the earth was filled with violence. So we can see that it was corruption, violence and all sorts of wickedness that brought them punishment. God did not tolerate the wickedness and the violence which was being committed in those days.

Let us go again in the Bible and look for wickedness. The people in Noah’s days were really very wicked. They said in their heart that there is no God and they were corrupt, and they did abominable works. No one understood or sought God. People had gone aside from God and were all filthy, no one did anything good, Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3, Romans 3:10-18. "As it is written, there is none righteous no, not one; there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways. And the way of peace have they not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes."

So we can see how God defines wickedness and such wickedness was happening in Noah’s days. That was the reason for God destroying the people. This is also happening now, we are in exactly the same situation. Psalm 10:7-11 "His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it." Isaiah 59:7-8 "Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace."

God has defined the wickedness of man that provoked His anger in Noah’s days. No peace and no consideration for human life, people being killed brutally, corruption in every way and walk of life, no justice, the truth from the Bible is put aside and even the truth itself is being made corrupt by men with money that people should teach lies. (Matt 28:11-15). This is the wickedness of man and it is this that God saw and it grieved him and He is also grieved at what is now happening. Men may think that God does not see, but we have read that the former people thought likewise but we also hear that God descended to see if the crying of people was true. And the innocent blood which is being shed is crying before the Lord God and God said he is going to destroy those who destroy the earth. Innocent blood is being shed and life destroyed for no apparent reason – this is wickedness.

When the cup is full Jesus will come to stop the corruption, violence and all other kinds of wickedness. Jesus Christ said the very same things would happen prior to his second coming:

Matt. 24:37-38: "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark". And Jesus will find such things happening until the righteous enter into the Kingdom of God.

Jesus is coming to set up the Kingdom of God, to destroy of the wicked and give eternal life to the righteous. Isaiah 3:9 "The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves." We have heard of the people’s wickedness and violence that provoked God’s anger, and the same things are today’s news on both radio and TV. So what do we expect? Jesus told us that these things will happen prior to his coming and our duty now is to wait for his second advent. Matt.24:36-44; Luke 21:34-36. So may the Lord come to end human suffering and end all wickedness, corruption and violence and stop people crying, and wiping away the tears, for every moment of the day blood is being shed and tears from the eyes are never dried.

We need Jesus Christ now! When we hear and see news from the radio and TV. we see human suffering, wickedness and violence as mentioned in the Bible. The immoral behaviour of people tells us clearly of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we have to take care of ourselves, how we behave and to seek God in righteousness. Our belief and faith should be centred on our Lord Jesus Christ so that when he comes we shall be worthy of the Kingdom and salvation will be ours. We should separate ourselves from all wickedness, corruption and violence which brought destruction to Sodom and Gomorrah.

Adam disobeyed God and believed a lie, and death has followed up to this day. So let us follow the second Adam, the Son of Man, the Lamb, the Son of God, Jesus Christ and believe in him so that we shall be saved.

Bro. A. Liwawa (Neno, Malawi)