In a recent article we discussed how only one of the ten lepers Jesus cleansed came to express gratitude, and Jesus asked the question, “Where are the nine?” We entitled that article “Are You Among the Nine?” to encourage each of us to be more thankful and to express thanks for all we receive. This week we ask the question, “Are you among the eight?”
Which eight? Peter described them in this way. “Once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water” (1 Pet. 3:20). Had you lived at that time, would you have been among the eight?
They were righteous in an unrighteous world. It is probably impossible for us to imagine what Noah and his family experienced. Think of how we are concerned at the direction our nation is taking, yet we do know so many godly people. Noah did not have this in his life. Every thought of every person on earth was on evil continually. We are often so troubled with peer pressure. Sometimes we yield to it, but Noah never did. Had you lived at that time, would you have been among the eight?
They were righteous without a righteous heritage. So many of us have relatives who are trying to live right. Now, when God looked at that world, Noah’s father was not righteous, nor was his grandfather (Methuselah). His faith was his alone. He had no brothers or sisters who were righteous, yet he was faithful without any religious heritage. Had you lived at that time would you have been among the eight?
They were righteous because he sought grace. He believed in God, yet he was not sinless. Sinless people do not need grace, but Noah did. Sinful people do not seek grace, but do not the words “he found grace” imply that “he sought grace?” Sometimes we feel we have attained righteousness apart from God’s grace, but Noah did not. Had you lived at that time would you have been among the eight?
They were righteous because they lived righteously for so many years. God decided that He would destroy man 120 years later. In that interim, he called Noah and waited for him to build the ark. At least some of Noah’s sons (if not all of them) were born during that period of time. For a century his family lived faithfully. We sometimes struggle to be faithful, but they did not waver. Had you lived at that time would you have been among the eight?
What an amazing example the life of Noah is to each of us. Sometimes, it is good just to imagine what it would have been like to be there. Think about it. Would you have been inside or outside the ark?