Based on Genesis 5–9, in Four Parts

Part One: The Call

Enoch the godly one at 65 begat a son – Methuselah;
The meaning of the name, given him by Providence,
Had this distinct significance that  –  “When he dies it will come.
Therein lies – the coming of the flood, foretold 969 years by God.
Methuselah begat Lamech beside sons and daughters.
And then at 182 years Lamech begat Noah,
And more sons and daughters.
Not in his early adulthood did Noah have a family,
But after 500 years then three sons were born to him,
Of whom the first was Japheth (Genesis 10:21), the second Ham,
then the third was Shem to complete the family.

These generations were God’s faithful from the line of Seth (Genesis 5),
Their children’s children multiplied on earth.
In the process of time these children mingled with the line of Cain’s
Descendants, people who were not repentant,
Feared not God, His holy Law observe did not.
By marrying their daughter’s, son’s,
God’s people did corrupt themselves though not at all at once.
There were mighty ones among them, also giants, great and famous men.
Till riches, fame, prosperity, defiled their humility and godliness,
Till at last God’s people joined in acts of grave unrighteousness.

………………….

And God saw the wickedness, the evil and the violence of men on earth,
And it grieved Him in His heart,
As evil thoughts did fill the mind of men continually, that He decided finally,
To make an end – destroying men and beast with every thing that does exist,
Also fowls and every bird, for He repented to have created man on earth.
His Spirit would no longer strive with men –
Yet 120 years shall still be granted them.
Centuries longevity gave great opportunity, to increase capacity, ability of minds
To imagine enterprises of all kinds,
Becoming skillful in producing, making, and creating
Splendid works of architecture, music, art,
For these people were extremely keen and smart.
But when in their heart they did from God depart,
Another spirit, dark, sinister entered in – corrupting mind and soul within,
Turning virtue into lust, profanity, vulgarity,
gentleness to cruelty,
Meekness into greediness, kindness into force the weaker to oppress.
Greed for power, riches, provoked actions of great wickedness,
Disregard for right and justice filled the minds of men with malice,
Terror, violence was on display, causing fear and horror every day.

……………………………..

Yet there was one, a righteous man – Noah was his name,
He found grace in God’s sight, and spoke to him of the great blight
He would bring upon the earth, to end all loathsome mirth.
He gave instruction, him to build an ark – a boat of giant size
With all the measurements precise.
Making lower, middle, upper storeys,
Dividing into rooms and chambers for living, sleeping,
And much storage with the lumber cut of hardest timber,
Then pitch all outside, inside well with pitch.
Store fodder, food, animals in pairs of seven of the clean,
Male and female of the unclean,
Of every kind, and also birds and fowls and every creeping thing,
He into the ark shall bring.
Above a window to give light within, at the side a door to keep all in.
“For I will bring a flood of waters to destroy all flesh,
And living creatures, hills and nature to cover all with water.
But with you I make My covenant to save you with your family
In the ark you build accordingly.”
The Bible says: “Noah did all what God had said.”

…………………..

Now imagine his reaction – when he heard of the destruction,
The beautiful created world – be drowned in the fury then unfurled –
Every thing alive to perish, the lovely scenery no more to cherish!
For there is no more remedy to stay the tide of man’s iniquity.
Noah – he was stunned, it grieved his heart, it hit him very hard,
What great sorrow this must be to God –
His own creation to wipe out.
With solemn earnestness did yield to God’s command,
Determined faithfully to execute this great demand.
Though his own life was turned now upside down,
Yet he did not dare to make a frown.

………………………….

He realized what controversy he would meet,
Carefully and gently must indeed,
First tell his family and win their help and trust;
And praying much to be made wise for this exceeding unique enterprise.
There is much thinking, planning to be done,
Skilled helpers won and hired, and a right place,
Must first be found, a perfect, even nearby ground.

……………………

The shock was immense, emotions were intense,
Eyes staring in sheer disbelief at one another,
of uncle, nephews, sons and father, mother.
When they heard those troubling news – this is not a story to amuse –
That all achievements, treasures on the earth
One day shall be of no more worth,
All animals and loved ones, children, friends and parents,
Be covered, drowned by mighty torrents,
This made the hearers shake and quiver.
And what God says will be a fact,
Wherefore this made on all a very great impact.
But Noah calmed their fear, for to the righteous God will then be near,
To keep them safe there in the ark – the ark will be the mark
For salvation who by faith do enter in, and honour God with trusting fully Him.
Then the troubled souls relaxed and got encouraged,
They were God’s faithful ones and wanted now to be engaged
And of use – no time to lose – nor hamper doubt,
But to the business go about.
  120 years are given for the task to be accomplished,
A project of such magnitude needs collaboration,
Harmonious attitudes, commitments, zeal, cooperation,
To face hostility and ridicule, from the worldly, wicked crowds,
Who will surely throw their doubts into their faces,
As no one had yet seen some rainy clouds….
Lamech, Methuselah with their big clan
Helped with vigour Noah in God’s plan,
Straight forward went for this great project,
That was no ordinary target, but a divinely given object.

End of Part One.

To be continued.

Edda Tedford, Canada