Noah

“By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

The story of Noah and the ark can be found in Genesis 6:5- 7:24 Here we have an example of a man who found grace in the eyes of the Lord. He was a righteous man, blameless among his generation, who walked with God (Genesis 6:9).

In Genesis 6:13, God spoke to Noah. It isn’t hard to know what the Lord wants from you when He speaks to you.

It was not hard to believe God, but Noah did more than just believe; he obeyed, doing all that God commanded him. This is faith! Belief demonstrated in obedient action.

The instructions given to Noah were very strange, but he still obeyed them all. He had never seen a flood nor a boat, but at God’s command, he started work and did not rest until the work was complete. We do not read of anyone, including his sons who helped Noah in this gigantic project, but they and their wives were to benefit from Noah’s obedience. In all, eight people would owe their lives to God's grace and Noah's obedience.

What Biblical Principle can we learn from this example of faith?

One clear answer is given by Jesus Himself in Matthew 24:37- 39 where He teaches the Jews concerning His return to set up His Messianic kingdom.

As it was in the days of Noah so it shall be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating, drinking, and marrying until the day when Noah entered the ark. They did not know why until the flood came and swept them all away; so it will be with the coming of the Son of Man.

People will be mindless of the things of God, therefore great judgment shall come upon them. Only a few - a remnant - being saved.

There is the principle of the certainty of a coming judgment upon this world; however, another truth would be seen in the provision God has made for us through His Son, Jesus. He has prepared the means whereby we might be saved from the judgment coming on all who refuse to walk with Him.

An ark has been prepared in Jesus and the invitation is given to whoever will enter! We thank the Lord that He was obedient to the Father’s will, even though it meant the agony of Gethsemane and a cross on Golgotha’s hill. Because of the Father’s grace and the Son’s obedience , all who enter find salvation.

As God closed the door of Noah’s ark when all eight were inside (Genesis 7:16), so He has ‘sealed us’ in His Son by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Not only is there security in our ark Jesus, but there we are blessed with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). Indeed, all of Ephesians 1 speaks of such blessings.

In Him: ● We are made holy and blameless (v.4).

● We are made God’s children (v.5).

● We receive God’s abundant grace. (v.6).

● We have redemption (bought back from bondage) and we have forgiveness of our sins (v.7).

● God shows us the mystery of His will (v.9).

● God will unite all creation (v.10).

● We are appointed to live for the praise of His glory (v.11).

● We are sealed with His Holy Spirit (v.13).

Then in Ephesians 2:6, Paul writes that we have been raised up to be seated in heavenly places in Him, so that God might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Our security is not in our ability to build our own ark, nor in our good works. Our own righteousness will not avail. We cannot escape by our own inventions or schemings; rather, it is all by grace, through faith. God has planned and prepared a way of salvation. He invites us to enter in. We may believe, but if we are not obedient to His invitation, we shall not be saved. Saving faith requires an obedient response.

Further, everyone who lived near to Noah would be aware of this amazing vessel he was building. All would know what he preached, but none were willing to respond to his invitation.

The people were condemned by their refusal to accept what was evident before their eyes. Similarly, the good news of salvation in Jesus is not hidden from the world today, but men choose not to respond to the invitation; hence the presence of the church is still a condemnation of the world.

Summary The story of Noah as an example of faith teaches us the following principles: 1. There is a judgment coming upon the world.

2. God, in grace, has made a way of escape in His Son, Jesus, and salvation is found in none other.

3. Grace is a fundamental attribute of God.

4. Salvation demands obedient response to God’s invitation.

That, is saving faith .