Stories & Blog
Mockery as in the Days of Noah
BRAZIL — Hushed whispers hung in the small room as dozens of people waited for the story to begin.
“‘The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth,’” Filipe read from Genesis in his tribe’s native language, “‘but Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.’”
When he finished the story of the flood, Filipe looked up at the people. “The people in Noah’s day said ‘ha-ha-ha’ to God’s Word. Those who said that died. How long are you going to say ‘ha-ha-ha’?”
No one spoke. Filipe continued: “Missionaries have been here for 52 years and you are still saying ‘ha-ha-ha’ to God. How long?”
In the far corner, Miguel sat silent, unable to look up. His heart pounded as he felt the weight of the story and Filipe’s words.
Saddened at the lack of response from his tribe, Filipe turned to leave when he heard a noise from the corner of the room.
“Not me,” Miguel said, his words quiet and shaky at first. “I won’t do it. I’ve said ‘ha-ha-ha’ to God, but not anymore.” He stood and turned to those around him. “I’m going to be like Noah. Who will obey God with me?”
Since that day, Miguel has taken his commitment to God seriously. He refuses to attend parties and he prays faithfully with a friend. He is even helping translate upcoming Bible courses in his village. Despite pressure from family and friends to do otherwise, Miguel continues to trust in the God of Noah.
Italicized names were changed to protect identity.
“‘The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth,’” Filipe read from Genesis in his tribe’s native language, “‘but Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.’”
When he finished the story of the flood, Filipe looked up at the people. “The people in Noah’s day said ‘ha-ha-ha’ to God’s Word. Those who said that died. How long are you going to say ‘ha-ha-ha’?”
No one spoke. Filipe continued: “Missionaries have been here for 52 years and you are still saying ‘ha-ha-ha’ to God. How long?”
In the far corner, Miguel sat silent, unable to look up. His heart pounded as he felt the weight of the story and Filipe’s words.
Saddened at the lack of response from his tribe, Filipe turned to leave when he heard a noise from the corner of the room.
“Not me,” Miguel said, his words quiet and shaky at first. “I won’t do it. I’ve said ‘ha-ha-ha’ to God, but not anymore.” He stood and turned to those around him. “I’m going to be like Noah. Who will obey God with me?”
Since that day, Miguel has taken his commitment to God seriously. He refuses to attend parties and he prays faithfully with a friend. He is even helping translate upcoming Bible courses in his village. Despite pressure from family and friends to do otherwise, Miguel continues to trust in the God of Noah.
Italicized names were changed to protect identity.