Topical Bible: God: Preserver: To Noah and his Family, at the Time of the Flood

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In the biblical narrative of the Flood, God is depicted as the Preserver of Noah and his family, demonstrating His sovereignty, justice, and mercy. This account is primarily found in Genesis 6-9, where God decides to cleanse the earth of its widespread corruption and violence, yet chooses to preserve a remnant through Noah, a righteous man in his generation.

Divine Judgment and Grace

The account begins with God's observation of humanity's wickedness: "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time" (Genesis 6:5). In response, God declares His intention to destroy all living creatures, but Noah finds favor in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:8). This favor is a testament to God's grace, as Noah is described as "a righteous man, blameless in his generation" (Genesis 6:9).

The Ark: A Means of Preservation

God instructs Noah to build an ark, providing detailed specifications for its construction (Genesis 6:14-16). The ark serves as the divinely appointed means of preservation for Noah, his family, and representatives of the animal kingdom. God commands Noah, "But I will establish My covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you" (Genesis 6:18). This covenant underscores God's commitment to preserving life amidst judgment.

The Flood and Divine Protection

As the floodwaters rise, God fulfills His promise to protect Noah and his family. "And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in" (Genesis 7:16). The act of God shutting Noah in the ark signifies divine protection and assurance of safety during the cataclysmic event.

Covenant of Preservation

After the floodwaters recede, God establishes a covenant with Noah and his descendants, promising never to destroy the earth by flood again. "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth" (Genesis 9:11). The sign of this covenant is the rainbow, a perpetual reminder of God's promise and His role as Preserver.

Noah's Faith and Obedience

Noah's preservation is also attributed to his faith and obedience. Hebrews 11:7 commends Noah's faith: "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family." Noah's actions exemplify a faithful response to God's commands, resulting in the preservation of his family and the continuation of humanity.

In the account of the Flood, God as Preserver is vividly portrayed through His judgment tempered with mercy, His provision of the ark, and His covenantal promise. This narrative highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness, ensuring the survival of Noah and his family as a remnant to repopulate the earth.

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Genesis 6:8,13-21
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
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Genesis 7:1
And the LORD said to Noah, Come you and all your house into the ark; for you have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
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Genesis 8:1,15,16
And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged;
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Melanchthon -- the Safety of the virtuous
... the family of man, to be the protector and preserver of his ... the creatures, were upheld
by the help of God alone ... So was the family of Noah in the flood, so were ...
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