The Faith of Noah (Hebrews 11)

Kyle Boyd returned to Listooder to bring us the first of a series of meetings on the Men and Women of Faith in Hebrews 11. Choosing to explore the experiences of Noah in Genesis 6, Kyle first considered the world in which Noah found himself. It was a world of sin, a world that brought such pain to the heart of God that He repented the creation of it. Yet, despite all this there was one, Noah, who found grace in the sight of God.

Was Noah aware of the condition of the world in which he lived? Of course he was. Did he know that the name of God was not loved by those around him? Yes, but Noah remained faithful to his God. Hebrews 11 explains that Noah, being warned by God of the things that were to come, by faith obeyed, and built the ark.

This ark was to be for the salvation of mankind, and the preservation of God's creation. It was to be built to a very specific set of measurements and for a very specific purpose. It is fair to presume that Noah had never built a boat before, nor, for that matter, had anyone else. It is also possible that rain had never fallen on the earth before, and certainly not enough to cause a flood, yet here was Noah being told that God would send a worldwide flood to destroy the earth that He had made. As God explains, in great detail, what he was to do and what was to come, we don't read that Noah questioned the command. We don't read that he tried to change it, nor do we read that he doubted the message he received. Instead, the words we read are these: 'Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he'.

Obedience is a challenge for each of us. Every man and woman has been born with sin. With that sin comes death and hell, yet God has called us to repentance. To disobey God is to turn your back on His offer of salvation and go your own way, a way that will lead to ultimate destruction. Even for those who have accepted the call to salvation, obedience can be a real challenge. Are we willing to serve Christ with the talents He has given us? Are we willing to speak for Him when He gives us the opportunity? Do we guard against sin in our lives, fleeing from the temptations of the devil? Noah obeyed.

Noah preached. In 2 Peter 2:5, we read Noah was a preacher of righteousness. It was, however, his works, rather than his preaching that would have gotten the attention of his peers. For 120 years, Noah built a boat the size of a football stadium in the sight of all the people. He was building it to the glory of God and Noah will have made sure that everyone knew that. His actions were a testimony to His God. That is a challenge to every believer, that our lives would be a witness for our Lord and Saviour. Whether that be in work, in school or in the home, we should be known as those that love God even without opening our mouths.

Noah believed God. He trusted in God for the salvation of his own soul and the salvation of His family. He believed in the revelation of Christ, the promised one of whom the sacrifices spoke, and in the atonement of his sin. Noah was saved, yet he wasn't perfect. After the flood we read of Noah planting a vineyard, getting drunk and his sons seeing his nakedness. Neither before, nor after the flood, did Noah lead a perfect life. But, covered in the blood of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, He was perfect in the eyes of God. That is the joy of every believer. Redeemed. Set free forever from the bondage of sin. Justified.

Are you covered in the blood? Are you secure in the safety of the ark as Noah was? God has promised that He will never again flood the earth as He did in the days of Noah. But just as in those days, destruction is coming. As the Bible says, we know neither the day nor the hour, but we must be ready. The door of the ark is open, the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ are open to receive sinners. Turn to Him, repent of your sin and be saved, before it is too late.