2 Peter 2:5 5and he did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a herald of righteousness, as the eighth, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
Peter moves on to another example that warns his readers about the seriousness of sin. Verse 4 is “prehistory,” and verse 5 moves into human experience. This verse has an implied escape from judgment through the example of Noah. Sin increased in the human race after Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3. The following chapters of the book of Genesis recount stories of how corrupt and rebellious humanity had become. These chapters highlight the corruption of the human soul, which showed up in ungodly (asebōn) actions. God judged sinful humanity with a cataclysmic flood. The shocking words in this verse are he did not spare. God is gracious and loving, but God is also holy and just and does leave sin unpunished (Exodus 34:6-7). God’s response to Noah’s righteousness was to protect and spare him and his family from the impending destruction. Noah did not give up or compromise his righteousness in the midst of persecution and ridicule but proclaimed God’s truth by warning the people. Noah functioned as a prophet in the ancient world.
Sometimes God’s judgment is quick, and sometimes it is delayed. Sometimes we may experience judgment in this life as a warning of the greater, eternal judgment awaiting those who do not repent. Judgment in this life is a form of discipline because God loves us and wants us to realize our sin (Hebrews 12:4-11). The flood story warns those living in rebellion and unrighteous living of God’s judgment. Yet, people continue in their sin and even embrace and celebrate it. The story also highlights another option: following Noah’s example of staying strong in his convictions and not compromising when pressured to give up and follow the way of the world. Even though the written law had not been given, Noah knew enough of the truth to live a righteous life and preached righteousness as a warning to the people around him (Genesis 6:9). Peter makes the choice clear. We can follow the crowds around us and choose the way of the deceived world, or we can follow Noah’s example and choose to follow God and the righteous path.