While studying Genesis recently, specifically the Flood account, I had an epiphany. Listen what Moses says as Noah and his family entered into the ark…

And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in. And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.

(Genesis 7:16-17)

The Lord shut Noah (et al) in the ark. Practically, the door was so massive they probably couldn’t have closed it if they wanted to. Subtextually, there’s great significance behind God being the one to close the door. The Lord is the Judge. He decided who would be saved and who would be condemned, but still, He left it up to the people to choose, with their free will, whether they would enjoy life or suffer death. He left it to them to choose either salvation or condemnation.

God “decided” who would be saved or lost, in that He said “everyone who chooses to get in the ark will be saved. Everyone who chooses to stay outside will drown.” God decided who would live and die based on a standard that He set, a rule He established, and an invitation He sent out. When God closed the door, that marked the end of the invitation period. At some point, God’s mercy runs out and His punishment begins. For the world of Noah, it begins here, with the rain falling from the sky and the waters rising from the earth.

 As the waters rose, the ark rose with it, floating perfectly. It was lifted above the Earth, which was now covered with water. With every animal on the ark, and with his family in tow, Noah succeeded. Yes, it’s sad that countless millions died, but that was their choice. Noah, however, chose to live. His wife chose to live. His sons and their wives chose to live. Celebrate that choice. Celebrate life. Thank God for life!

Furthermore, Noah succeeded only because God equipped him with what he needed to succeed. And yet, still, Noah had work to do, so he did it. He had commands to obey, and He obeyed them. Noah did not say “God is involved so I will sit back and let God do everything. I will have no part to play.” Noah did not say “God is deciding things, so that means I don’t have to do anything.” That’s not how it works. God decides things, and then we have to choose to submit to His decision. Noah understood that.

Noah was no Calvinist.

~Matthew