For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you.
Genesis 6:17-19, ESV
Redemption is not usually the first word that comes to mind when recalling the flood account – words such as destruction, judgment, punishment, or wrath seem more befitting. Nevertheless, when we view the flood account in light of the rest of Scripture, we see God’s unwavering commitment to redeem His creation.
Without question, there was great destruction that accompanied the flood. The whole of mankind – save eight people – were killed, along with all land-dwelling, air-breathing creatures – save two of each kind (seven of the clean animals). The world was radically changed forever. But therein lies the redemption. The world was changed, not annihilated. God did not start over from scratch; He worked to redeem what He had created in the beginning. With a handful of humans and a handful (or arkful) of animals, God repopulated the fallen earth. His predetermined choice was to redeem that which He created, to redo what sin had undone.
The persistence of God in His work of redemption is made manifest throughout Scripture, culminating in the coming of Jesus, God in the flesh. He determined before creation to preserve a remnant for Himself, chosen by grace and foreknown by Him:
God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.
Romans 11:2-5, ESV
