Please check out Hebrews ch11 verse 7 and Gen ch 6-8, 1Peter ch3:20 and 2 Pet ch2:5.
Noah the Son of Lamech, grandson of Methuselah was Born into an age of great wickedness.It was a time when the Nephilim roamed and interbred with humanity it was a time when man’s thoughts were evil continuously, and so it repented the Lord that he had made man. From everything being very good (gen 1:31) now God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth. It was such that God was going to destroy man and beast. But in the following grief of God’s heart we are told “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”. There was an oasis In the midst of a condemed desert, an oasis which the grace of God had prepared and on whom His eyes dwelt. Grace the source from which issues every blessing Noah receives.(and so to us).
So here was a man living in a world of wickedness where “all flesh had corrupted his way on the earth.” Here was a man who was compelled to set his face against the whole current of public opinion and conduct. What a testimony to the sufficiency and keeping power of Divine Grace.
What does the scriptures tell us of Noah’s character Genesis ch6:9 tells us “Noah was a Just man and perfect in his generations and Noah walked with God.”
First he was just. Scriptures tell us that ‘the just Shall live by faith.’ Noah is listed in the great faith chapter of Hebrews chapter 11 verse 7, and became the heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Noah was a Justified man before God and it was evidenced by him being “moved with fear” to obey the command of God to build the Ark.
Next he was perfect In his generations. His character was that he and his family were separate from the wickedness and moral evil around them and preserved themselves from contact with the Nephilim.
Next he “Walked with God” As Enoch did so Noah Walked with God. Same pace, same direction, same destination, same plan.
Noah’s faith …. Hebrews ch11:7 states “By faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet, Moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became the heir of righteousness which is by faith.” In this verse we can see several features about Noah’s faith.
1.Its ground ……namely .. grounded in God’s word – ‘being warned of God.’ (Rom 10:17)
2. Its depth… namely his faith laid hold on things ‘not seen as yet.’ Walking by faith not by sight.
3. Its strength…namely ‘he moved with fear.’ in that action Noah saw the promise and judgement.
4. Its working out… namely he ‘prepared an ark.’ His faith was evidenced by works.
5. Its family concern….. namely Noah ‘prepared an ark to the saving of his house.’ He was a family man he loved God And he loved his family.
6. Its witness…. namely Noah preached righteousness and Judgement ‘By which he condemned the world.’
7. Its reward…..namely ‘Became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.’
Noah’s faith was an exceptional working faith, an example for us to emulate in our daily Christian walk. Question ….Is our faith a working faith?
God bless
Michael Whitehouse