09 Mar Impact of the Flood on Studies, Career and World- Economy

We all know about the Flood that came upon the earth during the days of Noah. Genesis chapter 6:1 describes how people on the earth and their sins, both increased rapidly. The sons of God compromised with godly standards and they got married to daughters of men. God saw the evil walk of people on earth and decided to send a flood to eradicate evil, teach human-kind a lesson and to give a fresh start to human life.

Matthew 24:37-39 says, ‘As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;  and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.’

Questions arise—What kind of days were they? What were the things in the days of Noah that had become common? Why were people so engaged in their earthly lives and not heeding the warnings given by Noah? What was the impact of the world-wide flood on the lives of people, on the world-economy, careers, studies and industries? To know more about life on earth in Noah’s time, let’s see what is written in Genesis 4: 16-22: “So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence . . . ; Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch . . . ; Lamech married two women . . . ; Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock.  His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes.  Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who designed various bronze and iron tools. We can assume that industries like construction/real estate, dairy, animal husbandry, music and musical instruments, arms and equipment, iron, bronze, and other metal industries, etc. which started hundreds of years before Noah, would have now developed progressively during Noah’s days. Even trade would have flourished to its peak. Schools, colleges and training centres for imparting knowledge of these faculties would also have developed considerably. But the attitude of people was to go away from God; polygamy and other such sins (Gen. 4:16, 17, 23-24) which started would have become common in the days of Noah.

People had options to choose from various faculties, build careers, earn their livelihoods, marry and live happy lives and so they engaged themselves in that setup. There was no pause, and the result was, “people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage……!”It looked like a nice routine was developed on the earthly life. One bitter truth was that there was no development in spiritual matters until the birth of Seth (vs. 25-26), the son of Adam.

After the flood, Noah offered a burnt offering to God, an act that pleased God very much. As a result, He made a new covenant with Noah and his family. He blessed them and thus mankind had a fresh start to life on earth. In Genesis 10 we read about the descendants of Noah who built cities (v. 12), in Chapter 11, they started to build the 1st Wonder of the World – the Tower of Babel. They gained knowledge/expertise, which was lost in the flood, though there were no coaches, no teachers, no clues, no experience, no guidance, etc. In chapter 12 God a made covenant with our forefather Abraham.

Here is the lesson for all of us. Our present world is suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic adversely, but it is very less compared to what Noah and his generations suffered. But like Noah’s descendants, we too need to make a fresh start. Let’s not be discouraged. Let’s evaluate our past lifestyle as individuals, families, churches, and ministry. Our God is the same today. No situation is so unfavorable that it can withhold His blessings. Looking at the above-mentioned incidents, let’s make a new start in our studies, careers, ministries, responsibilities, church, families, etc.

God’s allowance of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought many well-developed crucial industries to their lowest level, economy at its worst performance; career prospects are in danger, family incomes shrinking, etc. I am not saying that sins on the earth are increased and so God has punished all of us with Covid-19. My intention is to learn from the past dealings of God. This time of present pandemic is for evaluating our past life. God is gracious to us that the present ruin is very negligible in comparison with the ruin of Noah’s flood. Our lives, works, livelihood, ministries, sources of income, careers, studies, etc. though affected,are still existing! God compensated for the loss mankind suffered in abundance. The same God blessed Job abundantly after the destruction came upon him and his family. The same God, His reliability, and promises are with us. Ups and downs which come in our lives are gladly accepted as a part of life. The same is with this Covid-19 pandemic situation. Maybe God is preparing a way for us for our better future. God may be testing our faith, our dependence on him, our reactions, our attitudes, etc. He may be preparing us for new techniques and methods, helping us to cope up with future situations, etc. Let’s therefore as children of God, show our full trust in Him and offer our full submission to Him.

Many intellectuals say that due to the Covid 19 pandemic, our nation has gone back some years. Our hard work is in vain; we will need to work harder to reach the latest progress achieved. But look at the flood incident. The period between Adam and Noah was approximately 1000 years. The flood brought back the family of Noah to the Adamic stage. But there was a fresh new start. When God intervenes in the lives of people, it provides a new start. Are you ready??

Martin Christian (UESI Gujarat Office Staff) Wife : Rita, Daughters : Shrusty and Dhrasty