Yes — God preserved only eight people, a small remnant, because they were the ones He could count on as His.
Scripture records that eight souls—Noah, his three sons, and their wives—entered the ark and were kept alive through the flood. Les Feldick explains that by the time of the flood only these eight were left that God could count on as His, and he sees this as part of God's consistent pattern of working through a small remnant.
Genesis 7:13 — Records the exact eight people who entered the ark, showing how small the preserved remnant was.
1 Kings 19:18 — God told Elijah that He had reserved seven thousand in Israel, showing the same remnant pattern.
Before the flood, the earth had become corrupt before God and filled with violence (Genesis 6:11). The biblical account does not say God failed to find more people; it simply records that Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:8) and that eight specific people entered the ark: Noah, his three sons, and their wives (Genesis 7:13). After the waters destroyed every living substance on the ground, the Bible says that 'Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark' (Genesis 7:23). Later in Israel's history, God told Elijah that He had reserved seven thousand men in Israel who had not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). Paul repeats the same statement in Romans 11:4, showing that the principle of a preserved remnant continues into the New Testament.
Les Feldick points out that by the time you get to the flood, only eight souls were left that God could count on as His. He makes this observation in the larger context of showing that there have always been very few true believers—even before the flood and throughout Israel's history. Les connects this to the doctrine of the remnant. He explains that when God spoke through the prophets, the message went out to the whole nation of Israel, but only a believing element, 'the Israel,' responded by faith. It was always a small remnant, and Les says it is still that way today: vast masses of humanity hear the Gospel, but few believe it. He also cites the story of Elijah, where God says He reserved 7,000 men to Himself, and notes that God has always kept a remnant for Himself. Thus, for Les, the flood is a clear demonstration of this pattern: God's work does not depend on the majority.
The Bible lists eight people: Noah, his three sons, and their wives (Genesis 7:13). Les emphasizes this same number, saying that by the time of the flood only eight souls were left that God could count on as His, and that God's grace saved those eight and brought them through the flood.
Les teaches that the flood fits into what he calls the remnant principle. He points out that even before the flood there were very few true believers, and afterward, throughout Israel's history, the Word went out to the whole nation but only a few believed. He also reminds us that in Elijah's day God had reserved 7,000 men who had not bowed to Baal, proving God has always kept a remnant.
Les says the same principle still holds today. The vast masses of humanity can hear the Gospel and even understand it, but only a small percentage actually believe it. He also observes that faithful people may seem fewer, but they are still present, because God has always kept His remnant.
Why Did Israel Miss the Messiah? Romans 9:25-33 Explained
Acts, where God says He's going to call out a people for His name, we as Gentiles are more correctly referred to as His born ones. We are the children of God, and that's a term of course that Israel has never enjoyed and never will, and that's what I stressed even in our seminar last Saturday. We as members of the Body of Christ, we enjoy a position that even Israel will never attain to.
The Israel of Faith and the Remnant
Les explains that when God's Word went out to the whole nation of Israel, only a small believing remnant responded—the same pattern he sees at the flood.
Eight Souls at the Flood
Les points out that by the time of the flood only eight souls were left that God could count on as His, and compares this to the 120 believers in the upper room.
God Has Always Kept His Remnant
Les cites 1 Kings 19 to show that God reserved 7,000 men to Himself who had not bowed to Baal, demonstrating that God has always kept a remnant.
Israel's History and the Remnant
Les stresses that through Israel's history God never got 100% response; He always worked with a remnant.
Eight Souls Saved by Grace
Les describes the pre-flood world as violent and corrupt, with God's only remedy being destruction, yet His grace saved eight souls: Noah, his three sons, and their wives.
What Triggers the Rapture? Romans 11:25 Explained Verse by Verse
And when He divided to the nations, plural, all the nations of the world, their inheritance, and when He separated the sons or the offspring of Adam, He set the bounds or the boundaries, their national boundaries, of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
The 7 "I AM" Names of God — Old Testament to John's Gospel
The Egyptians may tell everybody what has to be done, but in the final analysis God's going to do it His way, and the land of Palestine or the Middle East belongs to the sons of Abraham. And the Lord says, I've spoken it, performed it, and it's going to happen.
Genesis 6:11: The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
Shows why God brought the flood: the whole earth had become corrupt and violent.
Genesis 7:13: In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
Lists the eight people who entered the ark, showing exactly how small the saved remnant was.
Genesis 7:23: And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
Confirms that only Noah and those with him in the ark remained alive after the flood.
1 Kings 19:18: Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
God's own statement to Elijah that a remnant of seven thousand had remained faithful.
Romans 11:4: But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Paul quotes the Elijah account to show that the remnant principle is still in view.
God saved eight people: Noah, his three sons, and their wives (Genesis 7:13). Les Feldick points out that by the time of the flood only these eight souls were left that God could count on as His.
Les teaches that throughout Scripture God has consistently worked through a small remnant rather than the majority. He compares the flood to Israel's history, where only a few believed, and to Elijah's day, when God had reserved 7,000 men.
Yes. The eight people saved were Noah, his three sons, and their wives. Les specifically lists them as the eight souls that God was able to save and bring to the other side of the flood.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Israel Miss the Messiah? Romans 9:25-33 Explained