Topical Bible: Faith: Trial of Noah

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The trial of Noah's faith is a profound narrative found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 6 through 9. This account illustrates the steadfastness and obedience of Noah amidst a corrupt and violent world, highlighting the testing and triumph of faith in the face of divine judgment and promise.

Context and Background

In the antediluvian world, humanity had become exceedingly wicked, prompting God to express regret over His creation. Genesis 6:5-6 states, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart." Amidst this pervasive corruption, Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:9 describes Noah as "a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God."

Divine Command and Noah's Obedience

God's command to Noah was both extraordinary and daunting. He was instructed to build an ark of specific dimensions and materials to preserve his family and pairs of every living creature from the impending flood. Genesis 6:14-16 provides detailed instructions for the construction of the ark. Despite the enormity of the task and the apparent absurdity of building a massive vessel on dry land, Noah's faith did not waver. Genesis 6:22 records, "So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him."

The Trial of Faith

Noah's faith was tested over an extended period, as the construction of the ark likely took many years. During this time, Noah faced the scorn and disbelief of his contemporaries. Hebrews 11:7 commends Noah's faith: "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith, he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."

The trial of Noah's faith was not merely in the physical act of building the ark but also in his unwavering trust in God's promise of salvation and judgment. The flood narrative underscores the theme of divine justice and mercy, as God preserved Noah and his family while executing judgment on a sinful world.

The Fulfillment of God's Promise

The culmination of Noah's trial of faith is seen in the fulfillment of God's promise. The floodwaters came as God had foretold, covering the earth and destroying all living things outside the ark. Genesis 7:17-23 describes the deluge and the preservation of Noah and those with him in the ark. After the flood, God established a covenant with Noah, symbolized by the rainbow, promising never to destroy the earth by flood again (Genesis 9:11-17).

Legacy of Noah's Faith

Noah's trial of faith serves as a testament to the power of obedience and trust in God's word. His account is a reminder of the righteousness that comes through faith and the importance of heeding divine warnings. Noah's faithfulness amidst a corrupt generation exemplifies the enduring principle that faith, when tested, can lead to salvation and divine favor.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 6:14-22
Make you an ark of gopher wood; rooms shall you make in the ark, and shall pitch it within and without with pitch.
Nave's Topical Index

Hebrews 11:7
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
... Noah believed through a hundred and twenty solitary years! It was a long martyrdom.
Our life is quite long enough for the trial of faith. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/noahs faith fear obedience and.htm

The Faith of Abraham.
... His faith was "a perfect cube," and, presenting a face to every wind that blows,
came victorious out of every trial. Let us trace the comparisons. First, Noah ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xi the faith of.htm

Faith and Courage.
... a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel ... his cowardice and had been restored
to faith and courage. ... subject?" "I had the life and character of Noah. ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter iii faith and courage.htm

The Promise.
... beings it contained, was subjected to a trial of obedience ... and of God's promise,
and lived upon hope and faith. Noah, whose father had been alive in the latter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson i the promise.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... Faith, best grounded on simplicity, [580]17; prevails by what would seem arguments
against it, [581]18; its trial excluded by overpowering miracles, [582]31 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... to endure the household trouble and the public trial which awaited ... sins, yet shall
he be righteous if he have faith. ... as David, he may slip like Noah; but, for ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

The Obedience of Faith
... Life has no trial which can turn the gracious soul from ... true, but every man a liar."
His faith in God ... The infinite rolls, like Noah's flood, over the tops of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the obedience of faith.htm

Hebrews xi. 17-19
... For while in the case of Abel, and of Noah, and of ... Now this trial, it is evident,
was by His command ... And here he said emphatically, "By faith, when he was tried ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxv hebrews xi 17-19.htm

On the Mount of Olives
... Many stumble and fall, apostatizing from the faith they once ... Those who apostatize
in time of trial will, to secure ... at His coming: "As the days of Noah were, so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 69 on the mount.htm

The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... and sisters, have you not often felt your faith rise in ... Have you not, like Noah's
ark, mounted towards heaven as ... about the promise as you felt about the trial. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the holy spirits intercession.htm