Good Ol' Noah

Articles

Justin Guin
07/28/20 - Faithfulness

There are certain songs which get stuck in our head. We hum the tune and recite the word as we go throughout our day. Many of these are VBS songs, and one of the prime offenders is “Good Ol’ Noah.” Sang to the tune of “Ol’ McDonald”, it summarizes one of the most well-known stories in the Old Testament. The New Testament reminds us that these “children’s stories” have faith-building lessons for today (1 Cor. 10:23; Rom. 15:4). What are some principles this man of faith can teach us today?

First, Noah was moved with godly fear to obey the Lord. Two verses in Genesis which help us see Noah’s heart are 6:22 and 7:5. Both of those passages say, “Thus, did know all that God commanded him.” God gave Noah an unthinkable task. He was to build a large vessel for a weather event that had never occurred. So, in this context, these two verses reveal the strength of his faith. There is no greater compliment you can give a person than to describe them as faithful and obedient to God. In Hebrews 11:7, we learn about not only his faith but his attitude. He moved with “reverent fear” and constructed the ark. When we revere God, we will obey him. Our focus is doing what pleases him and not ourselves. Such is the measure of faith.

Second, Noah was prepared for the coming judgment. Genesis 6:5-7 reveals God’s plan to deal with sin during Noah’s lifetime. The earth must be washed clean. But, Noah found grace in God’s eyes (Gen. 6:8). Noah didn’t deserve an opportunity for deliverance. While not living in presumptuous sin, Noah was not perfect. The word “blameless” in Gen. 6:9 carries the idea of holiness and obedience. You could not say of Noah that he lived for wanton pleasure, but at the same time he was not sinless (Gen. 9:20-21). God offered him salvation. The ark is a manifestation of God’s grace to him. His obedience saved him and his household (Heb. 11:7).

God expects his people to respond in faith motivated by godly fear. He offers us grace as he did Noah, and this prepares us for God’s purposes (Eph. 2:10). “Good Ol’ Noah” teaches us many things about faith and obedience. Let it be said of us what we have done all that God has commanded. Such is walking by faith and not sight.