January 2 - Noah

January 2 - Noah

I’m sure most of us are familiar with the story of Noah and the Ark, as well as the rainbow that cemented the covenant between God and Noah – that never again would God destroy the earth by flood.  That’s an amazing story.

Noah was born to Lamech who would have been about 50 years old when Adam died.  One hundred thirty years later, he gave birth to Noah and said, “Out of the ground that the LORD has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” (Genesis 5:29).

Noah’s name means ‘rest.’

Many see this prophecy regarding Noah as a precursor to Christ.  Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Both men would offer rest and relief to those who trusted in God.

Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation.  Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:9)

Before God had to deal with unbelieving Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt or evil kings of Judah and Israel, the descendants of Cain and Seth began to intermarry and all of a sudden there was a race of people who were known for their ungodliness.  Less than fifteen hundred years into this beautiful creation and God was ready to wipe it clean and begin again.

Then there was Noah.   A man who was righteous … blameless … and who walked with God.  A man in whom God could trust that a covenant would be fulfilled.  Isn’t it amazing that even with the incredible trust placed in Him by God, Noah couldn’t withstand sin.  Genesis 9:21 tells us how he got drunk and lay naked in his tent – this wasn’t righteous behavior … this was a man who had lost control and had turned from God.

But, that wasn’t the end of the story.  Noah was remembered, not as a sinner, but as a righteous man (Hebrews 11:7). His sons Shem and Japheth protected him and he blessed them. His son, Ham, the father of Canaan, was cursed and we see throughout the OT that the Canaanites were always in opposition to the Israelites.

Noah listened when God told him to build an ark, even though it sounded like the craziest proposition he would ever encounter.  He trusted God when he was ridiculed.

Noah was righteous and blameless.

Noah walked with God.