Noah - Moved with Godly Fear
A notable mention is made of Noah in Hebrews 11:7,
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with
godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he
condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is
according to faith.”
The beauty of God’s grace is always most clearly seen when paired with
men obedient to God’s will. In this instance, Noah “found grace in
the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). Yet, God’s grace required
obedience. So, when God commanded Noah is said to have “moved with
godly fear.”
Noah did not assume God’s love alone would save him.
Noah did not assume his faith alone would save him either. He united
God’s grace with obedience to God’s will and “became heir of the
righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7).
There is a valuable contrast in the story of Noah. It
is the contrast between Noah’s action and the rest of the world’s
inaction. While Noah was preparing, the rest of the world was living
life as usual. In fact, Luke 17:26-27 records Jesus as saying, “And
as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of
Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in
marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came
and destroyed them all.”
By this statement, Jesus uses the account of Noah to make a modern-day
application. God commanded and Noah acted. It did not matter that Noah
was in the minority (1 Peter 3:20). It did not matter that Noah had
never seen rain (Genesis 2:5; 7:11). It did not matter that while Noah
was working to fulfill God’s commands others were going on with life as
usual (Luke 17:26-27). Instead, despite the odds, Noah obeyed the
command of God to the tee.
What is the lesson for us? God does not command us to build an ark as we
wait for a flood. However, God does command that we hear His Son, Jesus
Christ in “these last days” (Hebrews 1:1-2).
The rest of the world may be planning weddings, vacations and dinners.
Yet, the Christian has greater plans and preparations. He must prepare
Himself for the judgment day and preach to others so they are prepared
for Christ’s return (1 Timothy 4:16). Many will go on with life as
usual, but, as Noah knew, God keeps His promises and He is coming back.
Be prepared.
September 2006