So, the Lord said, I will wipe mankind whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I am grieved that I have made them.
Genesis 6:7
There is a Kiswahili word that is spelled “We!” and pronounced with an “h” sound at the end. When an African parent says this word sternly while pointing at a child, that child knows that they had better stop whatever it is they are doing and pay attention. That word is a pre-cursor to a dreaded whipping. The expression is so terrifying that no child defies it. It declares intention; it announces that punishment is certain to follow; it will happen unless you stop what you are doing or are about to do.
It is this kind of certain intention that penetrates the flood story. God gives mankind 120 years of “We!” This is the time of repentance and the time of God’s grace. It is time to change direction from doing evil all the time (Gen 6:5) to being holy. It is time to face the fact that our sin is more abominable and more wicked than we thought, and that God’s righteous judgment is more terrifying than we could ever imagine. At every point in the Bible where sin has reached a crescendo, God has dealt with that generation quite decisively. His judgment against sin is certain (Mt. 24:37; 2 Peter 2: 4-9) and it is terrifying (Genesis 6:17; Genesis 19:28; Mt 24: 21-22).
So where do we find our hope of escape from such judgment? Where do we find hope when God is aggrieved by the sin of a generation? Where do we find escape when God decides to wipe mankind off the face of the earth? We find it in Lot; and we find it in Noah and we find it in God’s promise to preserve a righteous and holy elect. In every generation, God has a holy remnant. Holiness begins by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is then sustained by prayer, by holy living and fellowship and by proclamation of the Good News and of our testimony as we await the soon return of our Savior and King. Are you ready?
Sovereign Lord, you are a holy and righteous God. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Cleanse my thoughts; the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart. Give me the desire for holy living and the boldness to proclaim what you have done for me, so that others might come to know you. Lord, remember me, when you come for your bride. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.