What was the reason for the flood in the time of Noah?

what does the bible say?

The flood came because humanity’s corruption was so persistent and pervasive that “every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5), grieving God and demanding judgment. In response to the world’s rebellion, God responded with judgment but also showed mercy by preserving Noah, a man who walked with Him when no one else would. Jesus later used Noah’s generation as a warning of judgment that He will bring and a call to live righteous lives. Peter explains that the flood demonstrates God’s ability to judge the wicked while rescuing the righteous, previewing the final judgment to come. The flood also serves as a picture of salvation, pointing forward to Christ who brings us safely through judgment by His sacrifice for all who trust in Him. God grieves evil, confronts sin with justice, yet also extends mercy to those who trust Him.

from the old testament

• God tells us why He destroyed the earth with a flood in the time of Noah in Genesis 6:5–7. “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.’” God sent the flood in the time of Noah because of the wickedness in humanity.

from the new testament

• Jesus said that in Noah’s day, people were living normally—eating, drinking, marrying—completely unaware that judgment was coming because they were spiritually blind (Matthew 24:37–39).
• Peter explains that the ancient world was destroyed because it refused to listen to God’s warning, even though Noah was a “herald of righteousness” calling people to repentance (2 Peter 2:5).
• Peter uses the flood as proof that God knows how to bring judgment on wickedness while preserving the righteous (2 Peter 2:5–9).
• The flood is a picture of salvation through judgment. Peter teaches that just as Noah was brought safely through the waters, believers are saved through Christ, whose work is symbolized in baptism (1 Peter 3:20–21).
• Jesus and Peter both point to the flood as a historical reminder that, just as judgment came suddenly in Noah’s day, a greater judgment will come when Christ returns (Matthew 24:37–39; 2 Peter 3:5–7).

implications for today

We know that the world was absolutely corrupt, and though Genesis 6:6 says God “regretted” making humans, the direct translation of the Hebrew nahem is “grieved.” God grieved the state of affairs. He desired, and always has desired, a right relationship with people. The people at that time were so evil, so in rebellion against God and His decrees, that God lamented, then decided to take radical action. Remember, God is loving and merciful, but He is also holy and just. People continually sinned against Him, so He responded with resolve to act justly but also salvage the race of humans. Genesis 6:8 tells us that Noah found favor in God’s eyes; verse 9 describes him as “a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.” God chose Noah and his family to be saved but assigned them the task of spending 120 years telling others about the coming destruction while preparing the ark. Additionally, Genesis 6:2 tells us that “the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose.” This displeased God as well. In Hebrew, these “sons of god” are “bene elohim,” a term most often used to describe angels (Job 1:6). Genesis 6:4 tells us that the offspring of these beings with human women were Nephilim. This word literally means “fall” but is often translated “giants.” Some theologians say one strong reason for the flood was that God would not allow these creatures to continue to live. All of them, as well as the descendants of Cain, were wiped out in the flood. All people today are descendants of Noah and his family. Noah was a descendant of Seth. Noah is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the vital and sole conduit for people to come into a right relationship with God.

Recap

understand

• God is loving and merciful, but He is also just and holy.
• God sent the flood in the time of Noah because of the wickedness of humanity.
• God provided salvation through the flood with Noah’s ark.

reflect

• How does Noah’s flood challenge or encourage you regarding God’s character and His judgment of humanity?
• How do you respond to God’s justice and mercy?
• How can you respond to sin in your own life, remembering God’s mercy and justice?

engage

• What do we learn about God’s character from the flood?
• How can we share our faith with those who have rejected Jesus, knowing that God is merciful, calling people to repentance, and also just?
• How does the reality of Noah’s flood compel us to share our faith and live faithfully for Him?