Topical Bible: Obedience to God: Noah

Bible > Topical > Obedience to God

◄ Obedience to God: Noah ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Noah stands as a quintessential example of obedience to God in the biblical narrative. His account, primarily found in Genesis 6-9, illustrates unwavering faith and compliance with divine instructions amidst a corrupt and disobedient world.

Context and Background

During Noah's time, 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 He was grieved in His heart." In this context of pervasive sin, Noah is introduced as a righteous man, "blameless among his contemporaries" (Genesis 6:9), who "walked with God."

Divine Command and Noah's Response

God chose Noah to be the instrument of salvation for the human race and the animal kingdom. He commanded Noah to build an ark, providing specific dimensions and materials (Genesis 6:14-16). Despite the enormity of the task and the likely ridicule from those around him, Noah demonstrated complete obedience. Genesis 6:22 succinctly records, "So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him."

Noah's obedience extended beyond the construction of the ark. He gathered his family and pairs of every living creature as instructed (Genesis 7:1-9). His actions were not based on visible evidence of impending disaster but on faith in God's word. 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."

The Flood and Aftermath

The floodwaters came as God had foretold, and Noah, his family, and the animals were preserved in the ark. After the flood, Noah continued to demonstrate obedience. Upon exiting the ark, he built an altar and offered sacrifices to God, an act of worship and gratitude (Genesis 8:20). God responded by establishing a covenant with Noah, promising never to destroy the earth by flood again and setting the rainbow as a sign of this covenant (Genesis 9:11-13).

Significance of Noah's Obedience

Noah's obedience is significant for several reasons. It underscores the importance of faith in God's promises, even when they defy human understanding. Noah's life exemplifies the blessings of obedience, as his faithfulness led to the preservation of his family and the renewal of creation. His account serves as a reminder of God's justice and mercy, highlighting the consequences of sin and the hope of redemption through obedience.

In the broader biblical narrative, Noah's obedience prefigures the ultimate obedience of Jesus Christ, who, through His perfect submission to the Father's will, provides salvation for all who believe. Noah's account encourages believers to trust and obey God, regardless of the circumstances or the world's opposition.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 6:22
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
... III. Thirdly, OBEDIENCE WAS THE GRACIOUS FRUIT. Faith and fear together
led Noah to do as God commanded him. When fear is grafted ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/noahs faith fear obedience and.htm

That the Ark which Noah was Ordered to Make Figures in Every ...
... Moreover, inasmuch as God commanded Noah, a just man ... sojourn in this world,"inasmuch
as God commanded him ... and along with the animals who, in obedience to God's ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 26 that the ark which.htm

Obedience: Its Place in Holy Scripture.
... Here let us specially notice how, with any new beginning in the history of God's
kingdom, obedience always comes into special prominence. 1. Take Noah, the new ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/i obedience its place in.htm

The Saint among Sinners
... He was bid to prepare his ark, we have only to take refuge in the ark which God
has prepared in Christ; but the principle of Noah's obedience applies to us all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the saint among sinners.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... concerning it, which must have been communicated by Noah and his ... duty was enjoined,
testifying to the duty of giving obedience when God commands, however ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

The Obedience of Faith
... The kind of faith which produces obedience is lord of ... inferior metals, such is our
trust in God to all ... The infinite rolls, like Noah's flood, over the tops of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the obedience of faith.htm

Of the Observance of the Sabbath.
... translated, had been a keeper of the sabbath; or that Noah the ark ... is it doubtful
that they "wrought servile work," when, in obedience to God's precept, they ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter iv of the observance of.htm

Separation to God.
... of conscience, thoughtfulness in service, and implicit obedience. ... it, it was all
and only for GOD'S satisfaction ... When Noah offered his burnt-offering, the LORD ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

Obedience to Parents.
... The individual practice of respect, obedience, confidence; and gratitude is ... they
may do, the instruments that God employed to ... of the two sons of Noah in order ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xix obedience to parents.htm

From the Fall to the Flood.
... of numbers or civilization, but because of character and obedience to his ... (2) New
truths about God. ... one of them could have known personally both Adam and Noah. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ii from the fall.htm