Lessons from Noah

We are all familiar with the story of Noah and the flood but we find the real lessons of his situation are often lost on the world. I’d like to look at some very important lessons that can be concluded from the example that Noah exhibited and how it applies to us and the subject of authority today.

Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

We see that Noah found grace in the Lord’s eyes despite the fact that the world was completely evil and violent. Why did God find favor in Noah and how can we also find favor in God’s eyes?

Let’s look a few verses:

Noah was a man of righteousness:
Gen 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

We too must be righteous and walk with God (1 John 3:9-10) or else we will find ourselves as the lost or unrighteous in Noah’s time.

Noah was a man of obedience:
Gen 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Noah obeyed God to the letter in how he built the ark. He used the proper wood, the exact dimensions, and never altered or "improved" upon God’s plan. Noah could have made it larger in hopes of recruiting more passengers other that his family of eight. He could have thrown parties, offered free meals, and any other gimmick available to get people to come on board, but he didn’t. Why not? Would it have been a good work or loving thing to save more people?

Are these not the arguments that congregations of today use to recruit more members? They offer Superbowl and holiday parties, food for the masses, musical entertainment, gymnasiums, etc. -- activities and recruiting gimmicks to get people into their building. Yet, we never find authority for these activities in the Scriptures.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Noah was a man of faith:
Hebrews 11:7 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 the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

We should also be men and women of faith. We know that faith comes by hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17) We must study God’s word and know what he wants of us so we can have the proper faith as Noah had.