Articles
The Figure of the Flood
The month Ceinlys was born, Texas was hit with over 35 trillion gallons of water in rainfall, with some cities seeing 25 days straight of constant downpour. It seemed that the previous four years of drought would be erased in just a few months. We remember that flood vividly, as we weren't sure if we would make it to the birth center because the 710-mile-long Trinity River was over its banks all the way from Dallas to Anahuac.
Floods make an impression, and they are not easily forgotten, especially by those who are impacted directly by them. Ask anyone who has been displaced, or has had to repair their home because of water damage on the ground floor. As students of the bible, we are invited to remember on flood in particular and make a variety of applications, and it was much greater of a flood than any of us have ever seen.
When we read Genesis 6-9, and we read about the flood that destroyed the ancient world except for Noah and his family, it is hard for us to imagine the impact that it might have had on those people, but it still can impact us in several ways. It continues to be used by the Holy Spirit to make several points throughout scripture.
The Flood Means God's Power. When God brought about enough water to cover the mountains, it showed His great might and authority. In Psalm 29, we are reminded that God’s word is powerful, and is compared to the lightning and thunder of storms. The Psalm ends by reminding us that “YHWH sat as King at the flood / Yes, YHWH sits as King forever.” The same power who was able to change the face of the earth forever through torrential floods is still our king.
The Flood Means God's Judgment. There are later times when God refers to “the days of Noah” as in Isaiah 54:7-10 and Matthew 24:35-42 when talking about His right to punish and judge people for their wicked deeds. This is important to remember, because it we need to understand God’s eternal role as judge. Even though He promised water would not be the same agency of judgment, God’s role is unchanged. Those who forget that have forgotten about the flood. (II Peter 2:5; 3:3-7)
The Flood Means God's Salvation. While those waters spelled doom for the wicked people on the earth, they also spelled salvation for eight people who were surrounded by violence and evil intent. To be able to save what was worthwhile on earth, God had to remove all of the wickedness and start over. For this reason, the flood remains a figure for the salvation that Jesus provides through baptism. “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.” (I Peter 3:18-22) Just as the ancient world stood condemned by God, and the only salvation possible was to remove the wicked, so we must have the sin washed away from our souls so that we may have a “good” conscience.
