And [God] spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly. —2 Peter 2:5
In obedience to divine instruction from God, Noah faithfully labored for decades to build an ark. This ark was a means of deliverance from the flood that would destroy the wicked in God’s judgment. Despite being scoffed at and ridiculed, Noah steadfastly maintained integrity with God and did not yield to the pressures of society. He stood alone, believing God’s word was truth. He “prepared an ark to the saving of his house…and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Hebrews 11:7).
Genesis 6:9 informs us that “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” Evidently, Noah did not keep his faith to himself but was a preacher of righteousness. He proclaimed truth and righteousness by his actions and by his mouth. How much easier it would have been to quietly go about his business, but Noah saw the wickedness of mankind and preached righteousness to the people in order to give them opportunity to humble and repent of their sins before the judgment of God was unleashed.
There is a great need for more preachers of righteousness in our present, wicked generation. Too many preachers are preaching that which makes people feel good about themselves, even in their sin. They teach those things that are easy to hear and digest. God is holy, and His ministers are to be preachers of holiness and of separation from the evil and spirit of the world. The preacher of holiness may be ridiculed, mocked, and persecuted. There will be people that leave the congregation offended. However, it is better for people to be offended in this life with opportunity to repent rather than to be eternally offended at the judgment without opportunity for redemption.
As in the days of Noah, so it will be in that final day of judgment. The holy will be saved, and the wicked will be cut off forever in eternal death. May God give all the ministers Holy Spirit boldness to proclaim the whole truth of holiness without reservation, for it is to the saving of the soul. ■
