Two of all flesh that has the breath of life in it entered the ark with Noah. Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered just as God had commanded him. Then the Lord shut him in. Genesis 7:15-16 HCSB
If we start back in Genesis 6, we see that corruption was widespread throughout the earth. Genesis 6:5 tells us that when the LORD saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Mankind had become so evil that God regretted making man in the first place. I wonder if He thinks this same thing today?
In Genesis 6:9 Noah was described as a righteous man that walked with God. He wasn’t righteous because he had never sinned, he was righteous because he feared God and did his best to stay in God’s word. We are told in 2 Peter 2:5 that Noah was a preacher of God’s word.
God found favor in Noah and warned him of the coming flood or the judgment on mankind. He also gave Noah very specific instructions for building the ark and bringing his family and the animals aboard. God made a covenant with Noah and promised to save him and his family from the flood and Noah agreed to do all that God commanded him, and he did.
I can only imagine those who watched as Noah built this ark and mocked him. I can only imagine those who had never seen a good downpour like those we are accustomed to. I can just picture them walking by and shaking their heads. I can hear the sneers coming Noah’s way. But Noah just kept on working doing what God had called him to do.
I can also imagine Noah might have tried to save anyone else that would listen to him. The Bible doesn’t say this, but it does tell us that he was a preacher of God’s word. Perhaps he tried to convince friends and loved ones of this coming flood. Maybe he tried to get them to turn to God before it’s too late. Maybe he prayed for them. But what we do know from the Bible is when the day came that God was ready to send the flood, Noah, his family, and the animals boarded that ark. Our Scripture passage tells us that God shut them in.
My friend when God closes the door, it is closed. People like to say God never shuts one door without opening another, but when we reject God we may find the the door is closed and that’s that. We may just find that it’s everlasting too late (as my pastor says). In verse 8:11 after the flood, God confirmed His covenant with Noah and promised to never again destroy the earth with flood. In verse 13, He tells him that the rainbow will be a sign of this covenant.
But one thing we do know is Christ is coming again. He’s coming to save those who have received Him into their hearts and surrendered to Him. He’s not coming for those who are just “good people”, He’s coming for those who have been saved by faith through grace (Ephesians 2:8).
My friend, look around you. Do you not think that God’s heart must be grieved over all that is going on in this world? Just look at the widespread corruption. Look at the evil that goes on continually. Doesn’t sound much different than Noah’s day does it?
If God closes the door today, are you ready? Will you be safely tucked inside or will you be left out in the rain? Many people ask, “How could such a loving God do such horrible things?” We saw widespread devastation through Hurricane Ida and many are still suffering. People ask, “How could a loving God send people to hell?” We are told in 2 Peter 2:4 that God didn’t even spare the angels who sinned against Him, but delivered them into Tartarus (a place for divine punishment) and delivered them to be kept in chains of darkness until judgment. Do you think you can be disobedient and fare better than God’s own angels?
My friend, I truly believe we are in the last days. None of us know whether judgment is just a minute or two away or a thousand years away. But what I do know is when it’s too late, it’s too late. I beg of you to trust in Him and draw near to Him before He shuts the door.
Have a great day!