God is the righteous and just Judge; and one day he will finally and fully judge humanity.
1. Eliminating common distractions: soothing sentimentality and endless debate.
a. Begin with the Bible's perspective.
2 Peter 3.4-7, 11-13
Luke 17.26-27
Matthew 24.37-39, 44
b. The Flood should serve as a sober reminder of the certain reality of Judgment Day.
We must be careful not to allow fascinating facts, legitimate (but sometimes distracting) debates, and meaningful memories dilute the message and distract us from the primary New Testament perspective of the Flood - proper preparation and life reorientation for That Day.
2. God warns the righteous to prepare to escape the judgement of the wicked (6.9-22).
a. Righteousness is mentioned for the first time in the Bible.
Verses 9-12 describe and define righteousness through the lens of Noah's' life.
The concept describes a covenantal relationship with attendant benefits and behavior. God (verse 18) has initiated a covenant with Noah and righteousness given results in righteousness produced.
Noah is a good and just man. He is a model of piety and ethics. He obeys God (6.22, 7.9, 7.16). He is wholly committed to righteousness.Noah is an example of true faith (Hebrews 11.7). He takes God at his word. He believes what God says about Himself. He believes what God says about him. He trusts God. He orients his life around God. He is wholly (but not perfectly) committed to God. He does God's will, is led by God, and abstains from evil.
Noah is blameless. He has a wholehearted commitment to abstaining from sin and evil.
Noah walks with God. He walks walks beside God, on the same path, and in the same direction.
Noah is not perfect. His righteousness is a gift and is relative to his generation. They are corrupt. He is not. They don't obey God. He does. They are wicked. He is righteous. But he does sin and he does die.
He is righteous. They are not.
They are corrupt: to ruin, to spoil, to disfigure.
They are violent: cold-blooded and unscrupulously violating the rights of others. Motivated by greed and hatred. Falsely accusing and unjustly and uncharitably judging. Often making use of violence and brutality.
The pairing of corruption and violence together speak of evil hearts, evil behavior, and evil consequences in all individuals, all families, and all of society.
b. God distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked.
God has seen (verse 12). He now speaks and acts (verses 13-22).
God discloses his plan to Noah. He will destroy all flesh.
The Hebrew word translated destroy in this verse is translated corrupt in verses 11 and 12. Corrupt and destroy can be translated as ruin and provides us insight into the crime and its punishment.
The race has ruined itself and the earth and God will now ruin them. The punishment matches the crime. It is as fair as it is just.
3. God destroys the wicked but saves the righteous remnant (7.1-24).
As we found in the Creation account, chapter 7 recaps elements of chapter 6 but with additional detail.
In verse 1 God commands and commends Noah.But God "remembers" Noah (8.1a). Hope remains!
In verse 16 God acts to complete the final phase of his plan of separation and salvation. God shuts them in and shuts the wicked out, saving Noah and his family from the deadly effects of the Flood.
In verse 22 we discover that the One who gave the breath of life has removed it. The Giver of life has taken it away. Eerie silence and rolling waves now surround the Ark.
4. Some things to consider prior to Caregroup.
a. Have you ever watered down the Flood? If so, how? What was the effect?
b. Are you righteous? Why or why not?
Are you as righteous as God?c. Are you orienting your life around God's warning of the pending judgment of the wicked?
Are you righteous as compared to your culture?
How does this affect your plans and priorities? Your proclamation?d. Are you preparing for Judgment Day?
Are you acting like the world will last forever?
Are you adding to your heavenly reward?
Are you living your life for him?
