Daily Devotions
Genesis
"For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth." Psalm 37:9
Text: Genesis 6:1-22
A RIGHTEOUS MAN AMIDST A WICKED WORLD
Just as Enoch stood out in his generation, so Noah was a man of exceptional faith in his time.
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
This is the genealogy of Noah.
Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations.
Noah walked with God. And Noah begot three sons:
Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”GENESIS 6:8-10
How Noah must have stood out in his generation. Whereas there was rampant wickedness, he was a just man. And when every intent of the thoughts of man was evil, Noah was “perfect” (To be understood in a relative rather than an absolute sense). Whereas the rest of the world engaged in evil activities, Noah chose to walk with God!
TWO IMPORTANT COMMENTARIES CONCERNING NOAH
Two important comments were made by New Testament writers concerning Noah. One of them was the apostle Peter. He made this observation about Noah.
“God… did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah,
one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness,
bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly…”2 PETER 2:5
Noah was not only described as “righteous” , he was also spoken of as one who preached righteousness to his generation!
The other significant comment was made by the writer of the Book of Hebrews.
“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.”HEBREWS 11:7
In this text, the faith of Noah was highlighted. His faith was well expressed by his appropriate response to a word of warning from God. He feared God and in that spirit of reverence, he built an ark for the saving of his household.
IMPENDING JUDGMENT OF THE WORLD
It was God who informed Noah that He would destroy all flesh on the earth.
“Behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth,
to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is
the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die.”GENESIS 6:17
Noah must have proclaimed this message, but nobody gave heed to his words!