◄ What Does Genesis 7:1 Mean? ►

Then the LORD told Noah, "Come you and all your household into the ark, because I've seen that you alone are righteous in this generation.

Genesis 7:1(ISV)

Verse of the Day

For over one hundred years, Noah had been building an ark to save his family from the coming great, global flood, as instructed by the Lord. God had seen the continuously escalating evil in the world and purposed in His heart to destroy every living thing from the face of the earth, because the people had become so violent and corrupted.

Noah was a righteous man who trusted the Lord and obeyed His Word, and Noah found grace in God's eyes. In an attempt to save others from the coming devastation, he became a preacher of righteousness who started to forewarn his neighbours of impending judgement, but they scoffed at his invitation to save their soul and spurned the long-suffering patience of the Lord Who is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance, for the Lord is not slack in fulfilling His Word.

Noah did everything according to the Word of the Lord, but despite his urgent warning, few (if any) listened, unaware that the waters of judgement would come like a thief in the night and sweep them all away. Noah knew neither the day nor hour of the flood, but God's appointed day arrived when it was time to go inside: "And the LORD said to Noah, 'Come, you and all your household into the ark. Come inside the ark, because I've seen that you alone are righteous in this generation.'"

Noah and his sons had been faithfully working on the ark for a century with no further communication from the Lord until the day he was instructed: "Come into the ark." COME! was God's invitation. Whosoever will may 'come'. Noah was not sent into the ark alone because the Lord was already inside. For God goes before us and He is the one Who keeps us safe and holds us securely in His hands. He is the One Who says: "This is the way, walk in it." COME! I am the Way, and I am Life for your soul.

Perhaps there is no more beautiful illustration of the security we have in Christ than is seen in the Ark. Once inside, Noah was saved from the outpouring of God's wrath and the torrential floodwaters of His judgement on a God-hating, violent, and corrupted world. Noah was a sinner saved by grace, through faith in God. He was removed and protected from the punishment all sinners deserve.

By grace, through faith, Noah and his family were kept securely by the power of God, while the wicked were condemned for not responding to His offer of salvation: "For whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned because he has not believed in the name of God's Son."

God had seen that Noah alone was righteous. This does not mean he was sinless, for we have all sinned and fall short of the standard God requires. But Noah had faith. Noah deserved death as much as every other sinner, but he heard God's call, listened to Him, obeyed His instructions, and built an ark for the saving of his family. Noah believed God and by God's grace his faith was credited to him as righteousness.

May we listen to God's call, trust His Word, obey His command, and respond to His voice when we hear Him say: "COME unto Me all ye who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest for your soul."

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, I never cease to wonder at the stubborn refusal and wilful ignorance of sinful man to believe Your Word, repent of their sin, and trust in Christ for the saving of their soul. The same arrogant attitude that was evident in Noah’s day, seems to be increasingly prevalent today. Hearts seem to be becoming progressively hardened, despite the truth of Your Word. I pray that while there is still time, many would be convicted by the Holy Spirit, turn from their sin, and believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sin and life everlasting. Thank You that Your grace embraces all who will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thank You that by grace we are covered in His righteousness by faith. Bring into my path those who will be willing to hear the truth and bring many into Your eternal kingdom. In Jesus' name, AMEN.