Topical Bible: Godly Fear: Noah

◄ Godly Fear: Noah ►

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Introduction

Godly fear, a profound reverence and respect for God, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It is often associated with obedience, faith, and righteousness. One of the most illustrative examples of godly fear is found in the life of Noah, a man who lived in a time of widespread corruption and wickedness. Noah's account is primarily recorded in the book of Genesis, where his faith and reverence for God set him apart from his contemporaries.

Noah's Righteousness and Faith

Noah is introduced in Genesis 6:9 as "a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time; Noah walked with God" . This description highlights Noah's distinctiveness in a world that had become corrupt and filled with violence. His righteousness was not merely a matter of personal morality but was deeply rooted in his relationship with God. Noah's walk with God signifies a life lived in constant awareness of and obedience to God's presence and commands.

God's Command and Noah's Obedience

In Genesis 6:13-22, God reveals His plan to destroy the earth with a flood due to the pervasive wickedness of humanity. He instructs Noah to build an ark to preserve himself, his family, and a remnant of all living creatures. Noah's response to this divine command is a testament to his godly fear. Genesis 6:22 states, "So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him" . This obedience, despite the seemingly impossible and unprecedented nature of the task, underscores Noah's reverence for God and his unwavering faith.

The Role of Godly Fear in Noah's Life

Noah's godly fear is further emphasized in Hebrews 11:7, which states, "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" . This passage highlights the connection between faith and godly fear, illustrating how Noah's reverence for God motivated him to act in accordance with divine instruction, even when the future was uncertain.

The Impact of Noah's Godly Fear

Noah's godly fear had profound implications not only for himself but also for his family and future generations. His obedience led to the preservation of humanity and the animal kingdom, as recorded in Genesis 7:1-24. Furthermore, Noah's faithfulness established a covenantal relationship with God, as seen in Genesis 9:8-17, where God promises never to destroy the earth with a flood again and sets the rainbow as a sign of this covenant.

Conclusion

Noah's life exemplifies the essence of godly fear—a deep reverence for God that manifests in faithful obedience and righteous living. His account serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of walking with God, even in the midst of a corrupt and unbelieving world. Through Noah, we see that godly fear is not merely an abstract concept but a transformative force that shapes one's actions and legacy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence
... Godly Fear and its Goodly Consequence. ... children shall have a place of refuge." Take
heart, for this is a grand thought for you that fear him and ... There is Noah. ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/godly fear and its goodly.htm

The Saint among Sinners
... says Hebrews; by which is meant, not a mere dread of personal evil, for Noah was
assured of safety"but that godly reverence and happy fear which dwells with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the saint among sinners.htm

The Survival of the Fittest.
... By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with
godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, through which he ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study iv the survival of.htm

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
... The nearer we mount up to the time of Adam, or Noah, or Abraham, or Job, the purer ...
Oh that we had duly drunk into this spirit of reverence and godly fear! ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xviii stedfastness in the.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... For there is no duty performed by us that can by any means be accepted
of God, if it be not seasoned with godly fear. Wherefore ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

The Scriptures.
... Noah was drunken; Lot lay with his daughters; David killed ... to the intent that the
name of these godly should rot ... should not be high-minded, but fear." Yea, they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/iii the scriptures.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... wrath was descending, and all around becoming one watery waste, was any force necessary
to shut Noah up in ... It should be performed with godly fear and reverence ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

V. ...
... Noah was a pious man and a preacher of righteousness, and had already lived ... we are
to take no counsel except to apprehend the matter in Godly fear and humility ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
... "God said unto Noah, This is the ... a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace,
whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."[527]. ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter viii covenanting according to.htm

Letter iv. On the Reading and Study of the Holy Scriptures
... children! Never approach the word of God but with feelings of reverence and godly
fear. 2 ... flood. (2.) From Noah to the giving of the law. (3 ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter iv on the reading.htm