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and the nature of the wood, much more labor was required then than
now to prepare timber, even with the greater strength which men then
possessed. All that man could do was done to render the work perfect,
yet the ark could not of itself have withstood the storm which was to
come upon the earth. God alone could preserve His servants upon the
tempestuous waters.
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet,
moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the
which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness
which is by faith.”
Hebrews 11:7
. While Noah was giving his warning
message to the world, his works testified of his sincerity. It was thus
that his faith was perfected and made evident. He gave the world an
example of believing just what God says. All that he possessed, he
invested in the ark. As he began to construct that immense boat on dry
ground, multitudes came from every direction to see the strange sight
and to hear the earnest, fervent words of the singular preacher. Every
blow struck upon the ark was a witness to the people.
Many at first appeared to receive the warning; yet they did not turn
to God with true repentance. They were unwilling to renounce their
sins. During the time that elapsed before the coming of the Flood,
their faith was tested, and they failed to endure the trial. Overcome by
the prevailing unbelief, they finally joined their former associates in
rejecting the solemn message. Some were deeply convicted, and would
have heeded the words of warning; but there were so many to jest and
ridicule, that they partook of the same spirit, resisted the invitations
of mercy, and were soon among the boldest and most defiant scoffers;
for none are so reckless and go to such lengths in sin as do those who
have once had light, but have resisted the convicting Spirit of God.
The men of that generation were not all, in the fullest acceptation
of the term, idolaters. Many professed to be worshipers of God. They
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claimed that their idols were representations of the Deity, and that
through them the people could obtain a clearer conception of the
divine Being. This class were foremost in rejecting the preaching of
Noah. As they endeavored to represent God by material objects, their
minds were blinded to His majesty and power; they ceased to realize
the holiness of His character, or the sacred, unchanging nature of His
requirements. As sin became general, it appeared less and less sinful,
and they finally declared that the divine law was no longer in force;