Topical Bible: God: Saving Noah

◄ God: Saving Noah ►

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The account of God saving Noah is a pivotal narrative in the Bible, illustrating God's judgment, mercy, and covenantal faithfulness. This event is primarily recorded in Genesis 6-9 and serves as a profound demonstration of God's sovereignty and grace amidst human wickedness.

The Context of Wickedness

The account begins with a description of the pervasive wickedness on earth. 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 He was grieved in His heart." This passage highlights the depth of human depravity, prompting divine judgment.

Noah's Righteousness

Amidst this corruption, Noah stands out as a beacon of righteousness. Genesis 6:8-9 notes, "Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God." Noah's righteousness and his relationship with God set him apart, making him the chosen vessel for God's plan of salvation.

The Divine Command

God's decision to cleanse the earth through a flood is communicated to Noah, along with specific instructions for building an ark. Genesis 6:13-14 records, "Then God said to Noah, 'The end of all living creatures has come before Me, because through them the earth is filled with violence. Now behold, I will destroy both them and the earth. Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out.'" This command underscores God's intention to preserve life through Noah's obedience.

The Covenant with Noah

God establishes a covenant with Noah, promising salvation for him and his family. Genesis 6:18 states, "But I will establish My covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you." This covenant is a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire to maintain a remnant of humanity.

The Flood and Preservation

As the floodwaters rise, Noah's obedience is rewarded with divine protection. Genesis 7:23 describes the fulfillment of God's judgment and mercy: "Every living thing on the face of the earth was destroyed—man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth, and only Noah and those with him in the ark remained." The preservation of Noah and his family signifies God's commitment to His covenant and His power to save.

The Aftermath and God's Promise

Following the flood, God makes a covenant with Noah and all living creatures, symbolized by the rainbow. Genesis 9:11-13 declares, "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.'" This promise reflects God's mercy and His ongoing relationship with creation.

Theological Significance

The narrative of God saving Noah is rich with theological implications. It highlights God's holiness and justice in response to sin, His grace in choosing and preserving Noah, and His faithfulness in establishing a covenant. Noah's account prefigures the ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ, who offers redemption to all who walk in righteousness and faith.

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Genesis 7:1
And the LORD said to Noah, Come you and all your house into the ark; for you have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
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Library

The Story of Noah and the Ark
... The first thing that Noah did when he came out of the ark, was to give thanks to
God for saving all his family when the rest of the people on the earth were ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of noah and.htm

Noah's Justice
... "By faith," we read in this same chapter,""by faith Noah, being warned of God, prepared
an ark to the saving of his house, and became heir of the ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon x noahs justice.htm

Of the Fact that the False Gods do not Forbid Others to be ...
... whatever answer they may think to give, that He is no God at all? ... 609] the destruction
of the impious by the flood, and the saving of righteous Noah and his ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxv of the fact that.htm

From the Fall to the Flood.
... He was called Noah by his father, because he said the ... a just and perfect man and
walked with God (Gen.6:9 ... The saving of his own family was, however, a splendid ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ii from the fall.htm

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
... "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 ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/noahs faith fear obedience and.htm

Allegation 4 "We Teach that the Greatest Part of the Human Race ...
... and never will be partakers of the saving grace of ... individuals;" as if the apostle
had said "God wills that ... were, in a distributive sense, in Noah's ark, and ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/allegation 4 we teach that.htm

Shewing How a Principle of Grace is from the Spirit of God. "
... was probably taken from the olive-branch brought by the dove to Noah in token ... So
that true saving grace is no other than that very love of God" that is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/edwards/treatise on grace/shewing how a principle of.htm

The Work of Grace a Unit.
... the day while Cain was being judged; while Noah and his ... Second, He brings every work
of the Triune God to its ... the work of objective grace by the saving of souls ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii the work of grace.htm

Hebrews xi. 7
... but nevertheless he feared: "By faith" (he says) "Noah being warned of God of things
not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxiii hebrews xi 7.htm

The Second Epistle of St. Peter
... Pious folk sometimes, like Noah, can do their best to testify publicly ... hyperbole
the writer declares that Paul treated the doctrine of God's saving patience 16 ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the second epistle of st.htm