Genesis 6:13-22
Introduction:
1. The Bible does not state explicitly what would have happened because Noah obeyed.
2. However, this question raises some important biblical principles worth exploring.
Discussion:
I. God’s Promise to Redeem Humanity
A. God’s promise in Genesis 3:15 to redeem fallen humanity was sovereign, indeed irrevocable.
B. Noah’s role is significant in fulfilling that promise.
II. The Conditional Nature of Salvation
A. God’s promises often depend on proper human response (cf. Genesis 2:17; 3:1-24; 18-19; Exodus 7-12; Joshua 24:14-20; 1 Kings 9:1-9; Jonah 3-4; Nahum).
B. The consistent pattern is salvation to those who heed and destruction to those who rebel.
C. We must then conclude that, had Noah not built the ark, they would have perished.
III. God’s Foreknowledge and Humanity’s Freewill
A. God’s redemption promise (Genesis 3:15) could not fail, so how could people like Noah have freewill?
B. 1 Samuel 23:1-14 demonstrates how this works:
1. David asked if Saul would come to Keilah and if they would hand him over, and God answered both affirmatively (23:10-12).
2. David chose to take his men and flee, and neither event came to pass (23:13-14).
C. God’s foreknowledge does not negate freewill.
Conclusion:
1. If God’s warnings and promises have any real meaning, we must conclude that humanity would have ended with them if Noah had rebelled.
2. Thankfully, God knew who Noah was and what he would do, so His immutable promise was never in jeopardy.