The concept of divine judgment upon nations is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating God's sovereignty, justice, and righteousness. One of the earliest and most profound examples of such judgment is the destruction of the Old World through the Great Flood, as recorded in the book of Genesis. This event serves as a powerful testament to God's response to widespread wickedness and corruption.

The Condition of the Old World

The narrative of the Great Flood begins with a description of the moral and spiritual decay that had permeated the earth. Genesis 6:5 states, "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." This verse highlights the extent of human depravity, which had reached a level intolerable to a holy and just God.

God's Decision to Judge

In response to the pervasive sinfulness, God resolved to execute judgment upon the earth. Genesis 6:7 records God's declaration: "So the LORD said, 'I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.'" This decision underscores the seriousness with which God views sin and His willingness to act decisively against it.

Noah's Righteousness and the Ark

Amidst the corruption, Noah stands out as a beacon of righteousness. Genesis 6:8-9 notes, "Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God." Because of his faithfulness, Noah was chosen to be the instrument of preservation for humanity and the animal kingdom. God instructed him to build an ark, a massive vessel that would provide refuge from the impending deluge (Genesis 6:14-16).

The Execution of Judgment

The floodwaters came as God had foretold, covering the earth and destroying all living things outside the ark. Genesis 7:23 describes the comprehensive nature of this judgment: "And every living thing on the face of the earth was destroyed—man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth, and only Noah and those with him in the ark remained." This cataclysmic event serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine judgment.

The Covenant with Noah

Following the flood, God established a covenant with Noah, promising never again to destroy the earth with a flood. Genesis 9:11 states, "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." The sign of this covenant was the rainbow, a symbol of God's mercy and faithfulness (Genesis 9:13).

Theological Implications

The judgment upon the Old World exemplifies several key theological principles. It affirms God's holiness and intolerance of sin, His justice in executing judgment, and His grace in providing a means of salvation through Noah. This narrative also foreshadows future judgments and the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ, who offers salvation to all who believe.

The account of the Great Flood remains a foundational account of divine judgment, illustrating the balance of God's justice and mercy, and serving as a warning and a promise to all nations throughout history.Genesis 6:7,17
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repents me that I have made them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Impending Conflict
... It is his object to incite the nations to war ... and corruption, and calling down the
judgments of God ... words; the worst construction will be put upon their motives ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 36 the impending conflict.htm

The Impending Conflict.
... It is his object to incite the nations to war ... and corruption, and calling down the
judgments of God ... words; the worst construction will be put upon their motives ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /36 the impending conflict.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... particularly on the Jews, the other nations did not ... metaphors are used to prefigure
the judgments which will ... intelligent reader to his own reflections upon them ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

The Fall of Judah
... of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man ... The fact that all these
were divine judgments brings the ... by the soul only are the nations great,' in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the fall of judah.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... Lord and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." As we ... It leaned upon the past
more and more, having an ... much expansion from the spirit of nations with whom ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

Letter iv. On the Reading and Study of the Holy Scriptures
... you read of particular mercies or judgments, as experienced by nations, communities,
or ... By this you will discover the principles upon which God ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter iv on the reading.htm

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... which was inferred from the history of Abel, is exemplified in a ... two-edged sword
be in their hand, to execute vengeance upon the nations, punishments upon ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

The Seventh Book
... prophet says: "He is righteous and his judgments are upright ... Son of man, take up
a lamentation upon the king ... have surpassed the vices of other nations, but in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... be sheltered by his mercy from the judgments to come ... You see into the depths: [143]
you look upon men's deeds ... You multiply the nations on the earth, and from out ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... the Lord doth not cause it to rain upon them, they ... which was the face of the kingdom
of Babel of old. ... they evilly seek the great things of the world: one is ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

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