The idea that Noah preached for 120 years comes from interpreting Genesis 6:3, where God mentions that «My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.» This has been interpreted by some to mean that humanity had 120 years before the flood would come, during which Noah was building the ark and potentially preaching repentance. However, the Bible does not explicitly state that Noah preached for 120 years.
Genesis 6:3
And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
Genesis 6:3
Why did Noah live 120 years according to the Bible?
In the heart of the Bible, in Genesis 6:3, there’s a special moment where God shares something important with us. He says, «My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.» Now, this might make us wonder, why did Noah live 120 years? Well, it’s a bit like this: God was looking down at the world and seeing a lot of mess, a lot of people not living right, not treating each other or the earth well. So, He decided to set a limit, saying people’s lives would be shorter, aiming for 120 years.
But here’s where Noah comes into the picture. Noah was different. He was a good man, a man who walked with God. Even though the world around him was getting wild and forgetful of what’s good and right, Noah kept his heart close to God. So, when God talked about setting a limit of 120 years, it wasn’t just about shortening life spans; it was about giving folks a kind of time frame, a chance to turn things around, to come back to living a life that’s good and true to God’s ways.
Now, Noah living to this age, it’s like a sign from God. It’s as if God is saying, «Look at Noah. He lives with respect, with a heart for what’s right, and see, he reaches this age I’m talking about.» It’s a nudge for us, a reminder that living a life in line with God’s heart, respecting His creation and each other, is the path to not just a long life, but a meaningful one.
So when we read about Noah and the 120 years, it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about a deeper message. It’s God inviting us to live lives that matter, lives that respect Him and His creation. It’s like He’s saying, «I’m here, I care, and I want you to live in a way that brings light and goodness to the world.» Noah’s life is a beacon of hope, a reminder that even when things seem tough, staying true to what’s good, to God’s ways, can guide us through, just like it did for Noah.