In this episode we continue studying the book of Genesis. In this episode we note that God saved Noah and his family simply because he found him to be righteous while everyone else on earth was wicked.

We note that when Noah told his sons and daughter in laws that God was going to send a flood and he needed to build an ark they believed him. They helped him build the ark and willingly went inside a week before it started raining.

This is quite different from what happened with Lot and his family. When Lot told his sons in laws that God was going to destroy the city they did not believe him they thought he was joking.

Here's the text:

Genesis 19:14  And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

The BDB says, mock means, to play, make sport, toy with, make a toy of.

Jest means, a joke; something ludicrous uttered and meant only to excite laughter.

Noah’s sons and daughters in law believed him and went into the ark but Lot’s sons in law didn’t believe him, so they stayed behind in Sodom and were destroyed.

Genesis chapter 19 verse 1 says, when the angels arrived in Sodom Lot was sitting at the gate.

The gate served as the entrance into the city and other activities occurred there, it served as a marketplace, and judges sat there to hear judicial cases, it was a place to meet and hang out.

So although Lot was a righteous man, meaning he did not participate in the sins of the people, he still hung around the people in the city, all day and every day, so perhaps, his sons in law did not see him as a righteous person.

He did not have any credibility with them because, he sat around and listened to unclean stories, occasionally laughing at filthy jokes and he witnessed the wicked behavior that occurred in the town square.

Peter said, in 2 Peter chapter 2 verse 5 and 6, that Lot was vexed by their conversations.

He may have been inwardly vexed but his fellowship with them sent the wrong message.

2 Corinthians 6:15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

2Corinthians 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2 Corinthians 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

By doing business daily at the city gate, Lot heard, saw and handled many unclean things and this caused his credibility to be maligned. They did not take him seriously.

Lot lost two son in laws and his wife. He spent more time in the town square with the wicked than setting a good example by living a holy and just life before his family.

He thought he was being a good witness in the town square, not cursing or cussing, not participating in their evil deeds but his responsibility was to his family.

He lost half of his family and all of the people in the townsquare.

If God told you about coming destruction and told you to gather your family, would they come, would they believe you?

God sent a flood upon the earth because the earth was filled with violence. The biblical definition of violence refers to more than physical harm, it refers to any wrong doing, damage, cruelty, unjust gain, that is taking advantage of people for money or property, any type of falsehood, any type of injustice or fraud, or oppression, and unrighteous.

God saw all the violence and had to do something, He's a God of love and peace and created life to be enjoyed, so he had to remove the wicked from the earth. Starting over again, with the righteous inhabiting the land.

Noah was saved because he had faith in the word of God. God told him he was going to destroy the earth. Noah believed God and prepared the ark.

We have the written word of God today, and through the apostle Peter God says, in Acts chapter 2 verses 38 through 40.

Acts 2:38 Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

This is important because Jesus said, as in the days of Noah so shall it be when He returns. He want's us to be ready for his return, so we can spend eternity with him in his kingdom.

The time is coming when he will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more crying and more pain for the former things will have passed away.

There we will walk on streets of gold and rejoice in the presence of our Lord and Savior forever more.