A Look at God's Dealings with Noah

A Look at God's Dealings with Noah

Genesis 6:5-8 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. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 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. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

The question that arises from our passage above is how was Noah saved. Was there something about his personality or behavior that made him stand out from the rest of humanity? Was he more righteous than others around him? Did his righteousness curry favor with God? Let us examine what scripture has to say about God's dealing with Noah. 

First, we notice that scripture exposes the heart of all mankind. It was wickedness continually. The Bible states that Noah was was a just and perfect (complete) man. But this was in comparison with those of his generation. This is an attribute worthy to imitate. However, the best of men fall woefully short of God's standard. Paul stated this fact in Romans:

Romans 3:10-12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Though Noah stood in contrast to many of his peers, he was ultimately lumped into the general judgement that God declared on mankind in Genesis 6. At his best, Noah was still a sinner. This truth is can be observed through Noah's drunken actions when he departed from the ark. 

Second, we note that Noah and his family were spared because of the movement of God in their lives.  Genesis 6:8 states that Noah found grace in the eyes of The Lord. What does grace entail? Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines it as the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. In light of this we see that Noah was chosen to be delivered solely by God's sovereign pleasure. He was the recipient of God's unmerited favor!

It is inspiring to read of this incredible deliverance. God instructed Noah to build the ark, gather the animals, etc. But this in no way negates the fact that the Lord's grace is the source of deliverance. Noah faithfully went about the work he was called to do because of God's grace.

This is a wonderful picture of God's grace in the life of the child of God. Eternally speaking, all were condemned to eternal damnation. Even the elect, apart from God's grace, had not the ability to save themselves. Paul notes that the child of God is rendered not guilty because of the grace of the Lord:

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

The eternal mercies of God are free! What better news for the sin sick soul than the truth that Jesus paid it all. We are called to walk worthy of the Lord in our everyday lives, but this is only possible because of the work of the Spirit in our lives. The story of Noah is incredible simply from a natural perspective, but the lesson of God's sovereign grace is the most awesome news of all! To God be all glory! 

Blessings,

Michael D. Green, Jr. 

Fort Wayne Primitive Baptist Church