Noah's Steadfast Faith - Genesis 6:9-22

In our lesson today we will see that God called Noah to do something that Noah’s neighbors, and probably Noah himself, thought was absurd. But Noah didn’t refuse the assignment; he didn’t argue; he didn’t debate with the Lord; he didn’t reject the injunction, pleading lack of ability. Noah did as God told him to do- much, perhaps, to the catcalls and jibes of his friends.

Because all things were made by God and were consistent with his purposes, they all were inherently “good”. The situation changed, however, when sin entered the picture. The period described in , between expulsion from the garden and Noah’s lifetime, was characterized by a dramatic population expansion and a corresponding increase in evil. Over time, God’s hopeful plans for a perfect world were so spoiled by wickedness that only one option remained: to destroy humans and animals (6:5-7).

Faithful Man -

Genesis 6:9–12 NRSV

These are the descendants of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth.

This characterization of Noah creates a sharp contrast with the description of the world at large in . Of course, Noah sinned like every other human being. But clearly he did not participate in the general moral decay into which the society around him had fallen. Noah was a follower of the Lord rather than idols. But the language and context here distinguish him from other people more on the basis of his character than on the object of his worship. While others are violent, abusive, and self-centered, Noah acts with justice toward others.

The word blameless emphasizes his outstanding reputation for doing good. Noah’s faithfulness explains God’s selecting him to play a part in the renewal of the earth ().

What top three character traits should unbelievers see in you as you walk with God?

In verse 10 we see a reference to Noah’s sons, they will become the forefathers of all ethnic groups (). Presumably, they follow their father’s moral example and avoid the sins of the culture around them. Ham’s later involvement in an incident that was deeply embarrassing to Noah led his father to curse him ().

Verse 11 summarizes the more detailed description of society. While God had commanded Adam and Eve to produce new life, the darker human capacity to murder was introduced in the second generation of the human race. The tendency now seems to be to take life rather than multiply it.

Verse 12 expresses the breadth of the problem when it states that all the people including the descendants of Adam and Eve. Everyone except Noah became corrupt. This implies many self-centered sins: violent struggles for power, no regard for the common stewardship of the earth’s resources as God originally commanded, etc. People have come to realize that control of the world at the expense of others can produce great material wealth.

If we viewed our world the way God does, in what ways should our prayer lives, priorities, and behavior change?

Divine Plan -

Genesis 6:13–21 NRSV

And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.”

By the time we see Noah in the drama of today’s text, the situation has become so bad that God sees no other solution than to destroy what he has made. Since Noah have not participated in the wickedness, God decides to work with him and his family rather than to start from scratch. God’s decision to reveal his plan to Noah further stresses the quality of Noah’s character.

What would you say to someone who believes that a loving God would never judge sin so harshly?

In verse 14, having warned Noah of the impending flood, God now tells him how to survive it. God’s instructions require Noah to demonstrate faith. While God could have miraculously protected Noah and his family, God requires Noah to create his own means of survival at his own expense long before the first drop of rain falls.

Noah’s salvation is to take the form of a boat - an ark. The dimensions of the ark are impressive, 33,750 square feet of floor space is impressive enough, but has more to add. The total volume computes to more than 1.5 million cubic feet. This equates to the capacity of about 375 modern tractor trailers. Note that Noah’s ark is conceived as a free-floating barge, not as a steerable ship.

In verse 17, having provided instructions for the ark, God now identifies its purpose: the judgement he has decreed will take the form of a devastating flood. The scale of the destruction parallels the scale of the sin - the violence and evil had become universal, and the verse at hand prescribes universal floodwaters as the remedy.

The scope of devastation to come is clear: God intends to wipe out the entire human race, with just a few exceptions. The term covenant in verse 18, is used in a way that specifically distinguishes faithful Noah and his family from the rest of the human race that will be destroyed. The covenant/contract implies an obedience to a sovereign ruler which will result in protection and provision.

The terms of the agreement presuppose that Noah, as a servant of God, must follow the command to build and enter the ark; the implied reward is protection from the deluge, which Noah receives as a result of his obedience.

How will the Bible’s concept of covenant affect how you live this week? Why do you think Noah followed God’s instructions?

In verse 19, the terms of Noah’s obedience to God’s covenant continue, now regarding the plan for preserving animal life. These instructions cover the full range of creatures. It will be physically impossible for Noah to capture a mating pair of each and every species. The fact will leave room for another miraculous display of God’s power as he will compel healthy representatives to come into the ark. The fact the animals will come in pairs of male and female reflects their purpose of repopulation. As a final instruction in verse 21, Noah is commanded to stock the ark with supplies for his family and the animals.

As a final instruction in verse 21, Noah is commanded to stock the ark with supplies for his family and the animals.

Obedient Man -

Genesis 6:22 NRSV

Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

Now aware of the forthcoming reality of the annihilation of the human race, Noah proceeds with God’s intricate instructions. The action God intends to take is unprecedented, and we wonder if this quickens the pace of construction. We don’t know. This part of the story merely concludes with a simple statement of Noah’s obedience.

Just as he distinguished himself throughout life by his righteous conduct, he now distinguishes himself by his full and unquestioning obedience to God’s commands. This aspect of Noah’s story is highlighted in , part of a listing known as the Faith Hall of Fame.

Hebrews 11:7 NRSV

By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.

What is one thing you can do in the week ahead to prepare yourself to be responsive to God’s promptings? Do you live with the kind of awareness of and confidence in God that Noah had?

Conclusion

Noah simply did what God asked of him and seems to have expected nothing in return. Again, recall the seeming impossibility of this situation. It was desert country, but God promised a great flood. Lumber was scarce, but God commanded that an ark of gargantuan size be built. Wild animals then were probably no less skittish than they are now, yet Noah was told to round them all up and find a place for each on that mammoth ark.

But notice what God did not say to Noah. God didn’t promise Noah that he would become wealthy. God gave him no assurances that he would have a comfortable life because of his obedience and faithfulness. Noah had no indication that he would become famous when all of this was over. There were not any promises that this was all that God would expect of Noah, nor even any promises that Noah would survive the ordeal of building an ark, collecting all the creatures, and managing all the details on the ark for as long as the flood lasted. God simply told Noah to do it, and in obedience.

Noah is exemplar in total commitment to God and an absolute willingness to do all that God commands.

Prayer

Lord, give us the strength to be faithful when the world around us is crumbling. Protect us from evil, even when everyone around us turns away from you. Instill within us the same allegiance, the same commitment, the same passion we find in Noah. May our efforts for you and your kingdom be expended unselfishly, knowing that all we have and all we are come as gifts of your grace. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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