Topical Bible: The Deluge: Patience of God Exhibited in Deferring

◄ The Deluge: Patience of God Exhibited in Deferring ►

Topical Encyclopedia

The Deluge, commonly referred to as the Great Flood, is a pivotal event in biblical history, recorded in Genesis 6-9. It serves as a profound demonstration of God's patience and justice. The narrative begins with the increasing wickedness of humanity, which grieved God and led Him to decide to cleanse the earth through a flood. However, the account also highlights God's patience and mercy, as He provides ample time for repentance before executing judgment.

Scriptural Context

The backdrop of the Deluge is found in Genesis 6:5-7 : "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. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart. 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.'"

Despite this declaration, God exhibits patience by deferring the flood, allowing time for Noah to build the ark and for humanity to potentially repent. Genesis 6:3 states, "So the LORD said, 'My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.'" This period is understood as a time of divine forbearance, during which Noah, described as "a righteous man, blameless in his generation" (Genesis 6:9), is tasked with constructing the ark and warning his contemporaries.

The Role of Noah

Noah's role is central to the narrative of the Deluge. He is chosen by God to preserve human and animal life, serving as a vessel of divine grace amidst impending judgment. 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. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."

Noah's obedience and the construction of the ark serve as a tangible sign of God's patience. The lengthy period required to build the ark provided a continuous opportunity for the people to witness Noah's faith and heed the implicit call to repentance.

Divine Patience and Human Response

The patience of God is further emphasized by the fact that the flood did not come immediately after the declaration of judgment. Instead, God allowed a significant period to elapse, demonstrating His longsuffering nature. This is consistent with the character of God as described in 2 Peter 3:9 : "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance."

Despite God's patience, the response of humanity was one of continued wickedness and disregard for the divine warning. The narrative implies that the people of Noah's time were unresponsive to the signs and the message embodied in the construction of the ark.

Theological Implications

The Deluge serves as a profound illustration of God's patience intertwined with His justice. It underscores the reality that while God is patient, His patience is not infinite in the face of persistent sin. The flood narrative reveals that divine judgment, though deferred, is certain when repentance is absent.

The patience exhibited by God in the time leading up to the Deluge is a testament to His desire for repentance and redemption rather than destruction. It reflects a consistent biblical theme where God provides opportunities for repentance before enacting judgment, as seen throughout the Scriptures.

In summary, the Deluge narrative in Genesis is a powerful testament to the patience of God, who, despite humanity's pervasive wickedness, provided a significant period for repentance before executing judgment. This period of divine forbearance highlights God's merciful nature and His desire for humanity to turn from sin and seek righteousness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 6:3
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 3:20
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Torrey's Topical Textbook