A Review of NOAH

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You may be here to see what I have to say about the brand new Noah movie. Well, if that’s the case let me say this: 

I have not seen the movie. I do not plan to see the movie. This post is not about the movie. This post is about the Book.

The story of Noah and the ark is told in Genesis 6-8.

Let’s do a little word association: What is the first word that comes to mind when you hear the name Noah? What word do we most often associate with Noah? Most of us would probably say “ark” or “flood.”

But let’s consider what word the writer of Hebrews might associate with Noah--“faith.”

Hebrews 11:7 says:

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (NKJV)

There are certain things that Noah had that we also have access to today!

1. Noah had a warning from God (Genesis 6:11-14). God warned Noah and He continues to warn all of us today about the danger and consequences of sin (2 Peter 3:3-7). Not only do we have a warning, but the Bible consistently uses the example of the flood as a motivation. Consider what Jesus had to say concerning His second coming and the Day of Judgment (Matthew 24:36-39). Just like Noah, we have been given a warning.
2. Noah reacted with godly fear. Here we have the idea of standing in awe of God. Respect—God speaks and we listen, knowing that what God says will come true. Others living in Noah’s day didn't have this fear or respect. Noah was the only one. Noah was the only righteous person on the face of the earth. Notice: Noah didn’t build the ark out of fear of dying in the flood, but he built the ark out of his fear, and love, and respect for God. William Penn once said, “Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong even if everyone is for it. Noah had a choice: Take God at His word or call God a liar. We have the same choice and we can also react with respect for God.
3. Noah had obedient faith. Noah had faith and he did something about it. God said, “Build an ark,” and with every swing of the axe, Noah was proclaiming to the world, “I believe in God.” With every stroke of the saw, Noah was shouting, “I believe in God.” With every swing of the hammer, Noah was saying, “I believe in God.” Noah had obedient faith. He didn't just say the words, “I believe.” Noah put that faith in motion. What an example for us to follow! Noah never questioned God’s commands. He never labeled anything as “non-essential.” Noah heard God, believed God, and reacted with faithful obedience. We, like Noah, can respond with obedient faith.
4. Noah had a place of safety. The ark wasn’t designed for pleasure. This wasn’t Noah’s yacht. This was a place for survival. Noah didn’t suggest any design changes to make the ark more comfortable, but he build the ark exactly as God had instructed (Genesis 6:22). The ark had one purpose—to save the human race. I hope that we can see some parallels between the ark and the Lord’s church. The church is a place of safety. Peter makes a direct comparison between the flood and baptism in 1 Peter 3:20-21. Just as Noah and his family had a place of safety on the ark, people today can have a place of safety if we will submit to Christ in baptism and remain faithful to Him.
5. Noah had salvation with his family. We know from the scriptures that Noah was saved along with his wife, his three sons, and their three wives--a total of eight people. Apparently they also believed the word of God. Hopefully, we can also convince our families concerning God’s word. In the event of a real flood, we would do everything in our power to bring our families to safety. How much more important is it that we do everything possible to bring our families to the place of spiritual safety? We need to do all we can so our families can be saved together!
6. Noah had a mission to preach. Noah is described in the New Testament as a preacher (2 Peter 2:5). Noah’s mission was to preach righteousness. He was to announce to the world that judgment is coming! Noah’s mission is our mission (Colossians1:28). We need to think of our neighbors. Do we know people who aren’t in the ark of safety? Do we know people who are overcome by sin? We see in the example of Noah that we are to be preachers of righteousness.
7. Noah had an inheritance. The Bible says that Noah, “…became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7; NKJV). Building the ark was still hard work. It didn't get any easier because of Noah's faith. But after his faithful response to God’s warning, after 120 years of work, and after being sealed up in a giant box full of animals for more than a year, Noah was blessed with a reward. Noah was one of only two people in the Bible who were ever described as having “walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). In a similar way, we will be rewarded for our faithful response to God’s warning. Jesus says, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12; NKJV).

We have access to everything that Noah had and we can have it too! As we think about the example of Noah, we need to recognize that all of us are offered a choice. The choice is so much more than what new movie we’re going to see at the theater. But instead, we are facing the choice of what we will do with the word of God. Will we accept it for what it really is and will we obey it? Or will we ignore the warning?

In the Bible, it seems that salvation is almost always offered as a choice. Generally speaking, God does not drag us out of danger, but God offers an invitation.

How will we respond to God?