Someone asked a really good question on Sunday. I can’t remember the exact words but here’s the general idea: How “wicked” were people in Noah’s time? What did they do that caused God to want to destroy the entire earth?
Seems like that would be pretty good information to have, Right? It would be useful to know “what not to do” to anger God so much that he decides destroying the whole world is the only option.
So what did the people in Noahs time do? The account in Genesis 6 just says that mankind had become “greatly wicked- and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time”
Jesus said the following about the people of Noahs time when speaking about their judgment…and the final judgment of all people on earth when he returns.
37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. Mathew 24:37-39
So what made the people of Noah’s time so distasteful to God? Was it the parties? (yeah I’ve heard preachers say that.) Was it the weddings and banquets? (wedding planners beware :-) What made God so very angry?
It may never be clear what the great “sins” of the people of Noah’s time were. I’m pretty sure they weren’t markedly different from the sins of today. It is however, very clear that the combination of being completely self-absorbed in our own “life” -while living in a completely corrupt and wicked society is definitely on the “do not do” list! Concentrating on entertaining ourselves…seeking pleasure for ourselves while ignoring the rest of the world is definitely on the “do not do” list.
So does that mean we shouldn’t enjoy a party? …a banquet? A wedding? Should we stand around holding “Judgement is coming” signs? What should we do?
Your thoughts?
More of mine tomorrow.