Emily: “Hello everyone. I’m Emily Cox, and this is Love Notes (Timeline Edition). Today I’m traveling back to the 24th century BC to interview Mr. and Mrs. Noah, who are known for floating in an ark for forty days and forty nights along with their sons and daughters-in-law and a boatload of animals. Welcome to the podcast, Mr. and Mrs. Noah!”

Noah: “Thanks for having us on.”

Mrs. Noah: “It’s great to be here.”

Emily: “I know you guys have been through some deep waters together, and we’re going to talk a little bit about that, but I also understand that faith in God has carried you through those times.”

Noah: “That’s right – it hasn’t always been easy and I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but God is always faithful, and that’s why we can have hope.”

Emily: “That’s so encouraging. So Noah, I understand that you spent a lot of time building the ark and trying to warn people about the coming destruction, but pretty much no one listened to you. What was that like?”

Noah (sighing): “Well, with the ark side, I had plenty of help. Really, building the ark wasn’t the problem – God gave me clear instructions and I just did what He said. But my neighbors thought my building project was stupid, and I got a lot of hate over that.”

Emily: “They thought God’s instructions were stupid?”

Noah: “Yep.”

Mrs. Noah: “They did.”

Emily: “What did it feel like to be rejected over and over when you were just trying to help your neighbors – you were just trying to save their lives – what was that like, Noah?”

Noah: “It was discouraging.”

Emily: “I can imagine.”

Noah: “Of course, they didn’t have the perspective that I was helping them. They either ignored me or made fun of me. But really it wasn’t me they were rejecting – they were rejecting God because they wouldn’t listen to His warnings. By the time they realized that what I was saying was true..*tearing up* it was too late..”

Emily: “Mm. That’s so sad – ignoring God’s warnings never turns out well, does it?”

Mrs. Noah: “Absolutely not.”

Noah: “No way.”

Emily: “Mrs. Noah, what was going through your mind while Noah was building the ark? I imagine it was also difficult for you, the way that people responded..”

Mrs. Noah: “Well, it wasn’t fun. But Noah was just doing what God told him to do. You would think he would have given up trying to warn our neighbors, but he didn’t. Up until the time we boarded the ark, he was calling out to people to repent. And up until that time, people were eating and drinking and getting married – they were doing their own thing, and they didn’t care.”

Emily: “That’s sobering for sure. It’s hard to watch when people reject God’s Word, but at the same time, we are only called to be faithful. That should be comforting to us when people mock us because we’re doing what God tells us to do.”

Noah: “Right. Following God’s instructions was our responsibility – not how people responded to that – and that’s still true.”

Emily: “Thanks for sharing about your lives today, Mr. and Mrs. Noah. Now I want to ask you guys a couple of questions I usually ask on this podcast. Mrs. Noah, what is something you love about your husband?”

Mrs. Noah: “His faith. Noah believed God, even when it seemed that no one else did.”

Emily: “That’s such a blessing. Now it’s your turn, Noah. What is something you love about your wife?”

Noah (laughing): “I’m just thankful she’s put up with me for this long! That woman has the patience of – of – I can’t really think of anyone else. She is a vessel of God’s grace to me.”

Emily: “Wow. God is so patient with all of us, isn’t he?”

Mrs. Noah: “Absolutely, and I’m no exception!” (laughing)

Emily: “Great stuff. Before we go, is there anything else you guys want to share with our listeners?”

Noah: “Every time you look outside after the rain and you see a rainbow, remember God’s mercy, God’s judgment, and His faithfulness to His promises. He said He would never send another global flood, and He hasn’t. But He’s still faithful to save His people and judge those who reject His warnings. Don’t harden your heart – repent while you still have time.”

Mrs. Noah: “Amen.”

Emily: “That’s a message we all need to remember. I’m so glad we’ve been able to have this deep conversation today. Until next time, I’m Emily Cox, and this is Love Notes (Timeline Edition).”

Read More: Genesis 6 – 9