Articles
Peter 28 - The Witness of Noah
The Witness of Noah
The patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him … For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly … (1Peter 3:20-22; 2Peter 2:4-5)
Peter knew firsthand about water, the possibility of drowning, and the importance of faith (Matthew 14:28-31). Perhaps this is one one the reasons he was inspired to write, in both of his letters, teaching Christians a lesson by calling upon Noah as a witness. That is, he uses Noah as a picture of belief, obedience, and salvation while at the same time giving a picture of someone greater. By looking at both of Peter’s statements, we can see the likeness of Noah and Jesus.
Noah lived at a time of great sin. “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart … God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth” (Genesis 6:5-6,12). Jesus lived in a like time and situation. He often referred to that generation as evil. “The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, ‘When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.’ And He left them and went away” (Matthew 16:1-4).
Noah tried to get people to do right—he is named a preacher of righteousness (2Peter 2:5). Jesus, also, came preaching in an effort to get people to do right. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 4:17). This is the very thing He pointed out from Isaiah’s prophecy: “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD” (Luke 4:18-19). Jesus still requires right to be done and we certainly should never discount the value of trying to get men to do right ourselves.
Noah is a good example: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God … Then the LORD said to Noah, ‘Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time’” (Genesis 6:9; 7:1). Jesus sets a complete or perfect example. “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1Peter 2:21-23). “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
Noah was obedient to God. Noah made the “who’s who of faith” list: “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7). The same writer was inspired to write that Jesus Himself learned perfect obedience: “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:8-9).
Noah was a savior in his time (see again Hebrews 11:7). Those who refused Noah’s efforts were drowned in the flood. Jesus came as a Savior, too. Remember the angel’s words to Joseph: “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). All will not be saved, but all can be saved who want to be saved from a greater calamity than the flood. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God …” (John 1:12).
In a sense, we can say that Noah is a type of Christ. His work was a most important thing, as is the work of Jesus, the Christ. If you had lived in Noah’s day, would you have profited from this great man? You are alive now and can profit from one who is greater than Noah. Will you?
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