Also, a long time ago, God punished all the bad people who lived in the world. He sent water to cover over all the earth. All the people who had turned away from him drowned in the water. But God kept Noah safe. Noah had told people God’s message that they should do right things. So God saved Noah, and seven other people, from the water.
2 Peter 2:5 EASY
In the days of Noah, God’s patience and judgment were on full display. While Noah built the ark, God’s patience gave people the chance to repent. However, many ignored the warnings, bringing about God’s judgment. Just like then, today we must remember both God’s patience and judgment through His Word.
In Genesis 6:18 and 7:23, it might seem as though God intended only to save Noah and his family while condemning the rest of humanity to destruction. However, a deeper look into the scriptures—especially 1 Peter 3:20 and 2 Peter 2:5—reveals that God, in His patience and mercy, gave the people an opportunity to repent. Sadly, they rejected this offer, leading to their ultimate destruction.
Those were the spirits of people who had refused to obey God long ago. At that time God waited patiently for them to turn to him while Noah was building a large ship. But only a few people agreed to go into that ship. God saved only eight people when the ship sailed on the deep water.
1 Peter 3:20 EASY
While God extended mercy by including Noah’s family in the rescue, it is clear that each individual had a choice to make. Noah could not have forced his family onto the ark. Unlike animals that Noah brought into the ark, humans had to make their own decisions. They had to decide whether to accept or reject God’s offer of salvation.
God’s rescue plan was twofold: Noah preached righteousness, and God gave people time to repent while Noah was building the ark. The Bible refers to Noah as a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5), meaning he proclaimed God’s message and urged people to turn from their wicked ways. Thus, no one could claim ignorance about the impending judgment—Noah warned them.
The events during Noah’s time serve as a warning for our present day. Just as God’s message was available then, it is still available now. People have the chance to repent and be saved through the gospel of Jesus Christ. But those who reject the message will face eternal destruction, just as those in Noah’s time perished in the flood.
In conclusion, God’s patience is evident, but so is His justice. In Noah’s time, people were given ample warning and a chance to change their ways, but many chose to ignore it. Today, the message of salvation remains, offering each of us the same opportunity to turn to God. Let us not ignore the voice of righteousness. The story of Noah reminds us that God’s judgment is real, but so is His mercy. Will we heed His call?
