Topical Bible: God: Special Grace: To Noah

◄ God: Special Grace: To Noah ►

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In the narrative of the Bible, the concept of God's special grace is vividly illustrated in the account of Noah, a pivotal figure in the early chapters of Genesis. Noah's account is a testament to God's sovereign choice and unmerited favor bestowed upon an individual amidst a world steeped in corruption and violence.

The Context of Noah's Time

The backdrop of Noah's account is a world that had become exceedingly wicked. Genesis 6:5 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." This pervasive evil grieved God, leading Him to decide to cleanse the earth through a great flood. However, in the midst of this judgment, God extended His special grace to Noah.

Noah's Righteousness and Favor

Noah is introduced as a man who found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8-9 records, "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." The text highlights Noah's righteousness and his unique relationship with God, setting him apart from the rest of humanity. It is important to note that Noah's righteousness is not depicted as the cause of God's grace but rather as a response to it.

The Covenant with Noah

God's special grace is further manifested in His covenant with Noah. In Genesis 6:18 , God declares, "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 divine promise of protection and preservation, ensuring the survival of Noah and his family amidst the impending deluge. The covenant signifies God's commitment to Noah and serves as a precursor to the broader covenants that God would establish with humanity.

The Ark: A Symbol of Salvation

The construction of the ark is a tangible expression of God's grace. God provided Noah with specific instructions on how to build the ark, which would serve as the means of salvation for Noah, his family, and the animals. Genesis 6:14-16 details the dimensions and materials for the ark, underscoring God's provision and care. The ark becomes a symbol of refuge and deliverance, foreshadowing the ultimate salvation found in Christ.

Noah's Obedience and Faith

Noah's response to God's grace is characterized by obedience and faith. Hebrews 11:7 commends Noah's faith, stating, "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." Noah's actions demonstrate his trust in God's promises and his willingness to act upon them, even when faced with unprecedented circumstances.

The Aftermath and God's Promise

Following the flood, God's special grace is further revealed in His promise never to destroy the earth by flood again. Genesis 9:11 states, "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." The sign of this covenant is the rainbow, a perpetual reminder of God's mercy and faithfulness.

In summary, the account of Noah exemplifies God's special grace in choosing, preserving, and establishing a covenant with him. Noah's account is a profound illustration of divine favor amidst judgment, highlighting themes of righteousness, obedience, and faith that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 6:8
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Shewing How a Principle of Grace is from the Spirit of God. "
... to be that wherein its nature and essence lies, and wherein all saving grace is
radically ... This bird, God is pleased to choose as the special symbol of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/edwards/treatise on grace/shewing how a principle of.htm

The Work of Grace a Unit.
... but it always bore a preliminary and special character. ... occupied with the preparation
of objective grace, without a ... Nay, the love of God never works toward the ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii the work of grace.htm

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
... will of God, and which he afforded grace to parties ... but also in the spiritual privileges
of God's covenant, and ... in which the Lord, by a special appointment, is ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xii covenanting performed in.htm

The First Chapter: the Great Reverence with which we Should ...
... O God, hidden Creator of the world, how wonderfully You ... This in a special manner
attracts the hearts of ... receive in Holy Communion the great grace of devotion ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the first chapter the great.htm

Distinguishing Grace
... Some of you here present are special witnesses of this ... for myself, I am a continual
miracle of divine grace. ... Let Abraham be deserted by his God, he equivocates ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/distinguishing grace.htm

Allegation 4 "We Teach that the Greatest Part of the Human Race ...
... which treats of the amplitude of the grace exhibited, in ... in which He regards the
will of God, as antecedent ... It is of special importance to observe, when the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/allegation 4 we teach that.htm

The Method of Grace
... in the words of the text, in a more special manner, he ... a bleeding God, fly to a throne
of grace; and beg ... and your Father, to his God and your God.' And after ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the method of grace.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may ... unto the Lord
thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

A Free Grace Promise
... have it from the Lord, as a gift of grace ? ... specific instruction: the prayer must
be to the true God. ... The promise is special: "Whosoever shall call on the name ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/a free grace promise.htm

Index.
... Sons, discipline of, 284. Sonship of Christ, defined, 28; a revelation of God, 12. ...
Special trials of Christ, 76. Spirit, an eternal, 156; of grace, what, 190. ...
/.../edwards/the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/index 2.htm