The Days of Noah
Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:3-51
Today’s Scripture reading is a large part of what has come to be referred to as the “Olivet Discourse.” This title comes from verse three where we are told that Jesus “sat on the Mount of Olives.” It was prompted by the disciples of Jesus asking him, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” There was a lot wrapped up in that question(s) and a lot that needs to be unpacked in Jesus’ answer. Of course, eschatological views lead to varying answers about what Jesus meant in this discourse.
While a short devotional is not an adequate forum to try and deal with all those views and approaches to the Olivet Discourse, I thought it would be helpful to point out one part of it that most people tend to miss the point on.
A lot of people focus on Jesus’ statement when He says, “As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” The assumption that is most often made is that Jesus was talking about the wickedness of humanity during the days of Noah. It is accurate to say that humanity had devolved into a horribly wicked state. It was so bad that God determined to wipe it all out and start fresh with Noah. That being said, I don’t think that is the main point Jesus is making here.
Look at the things Jesus points out. “Before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage…” Those sound like normal, amoral activities. Yes, eating can be sinful if it is gluttonous. And drinking can be sinful if it is drunkenness. Likewise, marriage can be sinful under certain circumstances. But those things can also be normal and good. They are just a part of life.
So, what is the point? Notice in verse 39 Jesus tells us that these people “Were unaware.” Then, He gives the disciples a way to apply this. He tells them to “Stay awake,” in verse 42, and warns them, “You also must be ready,” in verse 44. The idea is that Jesus is saying the people on earth before the flood lived as though the day of judgment was never coming. They were continuing life with no thought of things ever ending. Their gaze was always down toward the earth and never upward toward the skies.
The consequence of this was they were not prepared for the day the rain began to fall. They weren’t in the Ark of Noah. They were unaware and asleep, and therefore they were not ready.
Christian artist/musician Keith Green had a song in which he sang, “I wish they’d all been ready.” While the people of Noah’s day were wicked, Jesus isn’t making that the point here. He is making the point that they weren’t ready because they didn’t believe judgment would ever come. They didn’t listen to Noah. They didn’t heed the warning. The rain was a surprise to them. (By the way, had they believed Noah and been anticipating a day of judgment they would have repented of their wickedness).
Most of the world isn’t expecting the Day of Judgment. They don’t believe it is coming. Their gaze is always upon the earth. Their concerns are only about “eating and drinking; marrying and giving in marriage.” Sadly, they will be swept away in the flood of God’s wrath that is coming upon the world.
Don’t be one of them. Stay awake. Be ready.
