3.6. GRACE FOR NOAH'S PROTECTION (Genesis 6:8 - 10:32)

These wonderful words shine brightly in the dark context of Genesis 6:8. Noah, in grace, was to be excepted from the general destruction. He was the recipient of the same unmerited favour of God that every believer enjoys today. (Titus 3:4,5. )

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The Genealogy of Noah

This title in verse 9 means, like Abel, he was righteous. His was a righteousness by faith - his would be faith in God's provided sacrifice promised in the sacrifice like that of Abel which he offered (Romans 3:22 ). This would be backed up by standards of right living, before God and man. NOTE: The believer now having been set free from sin became the slave of righteousness. (Romans 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:22. )

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Noah Was Perfect in His Generation

He lived upright among his contemporaries. He was exceptional as an upright man in a wicked world, as all the people of God are exceptional in the same way. (1 John 5:18. )

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Noah Walked with God

Like Enoch he had an inner life of communion and devotion with his Lord. Such a man was excepted from destruction. The children of this man are named in verse 10. Walking with God he fulfilled family responsibility.

After summary of the corrupt, violent state of man on the earth (verses 11-13) He said to Noah, "I will destroy them with the earth." (Genesis 6:13 ). NOTE: ( Matthew 24:37-39; Luke 17:26,27; 2 Thessalonians 1:9. )

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Make Yourself An Ark

Ryrie says: "Although we do not know the exact length of a cubit at this time (verse 15), later, it was about 18 inches making the ark 450 feet long, 75 feet broad and 45 feet high, with a displacement of 14,000 tons its carrying capacity equalled that of 522 standard railroad stock cars (each of which can hold 240 sheep). Only 188 cars would be required to hold 45,000 sheep-sized animals, leaving three trains of 104 cars each for food, Noah's family, and 'range' for the animals. Today it is estimated that there are 17,600 species of animals, making 45,000 a likely approximation of the number Noah might have taken into the ark."

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A Challenge to Faith

This was a challenge to faith on an unprecedented scale - the obedience of faith in building the ark to God's instructions (verses 14-16) required that the Lord who commanded the impossible, supply the faith, growth, maturity necessary to accomplish the task (Hebrews 11:7 ). The Lord who is faithful did not fail in His great work in Noah - and will not fail us in our God-given task.

From Genesis 6:9 through to 8:22 there are clear pointers to Christ - in Noah and his activities.

	Noah Was the Chosen One to Save Mankind (Genesis 6:9). Jesus is so named because He saves His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21 ).
	Noah Preached Warnings and Invited Sinners to Repent (2 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 11:7 ). Jesus preached repentance and faith in inviting sinners to come.(John 3:16-18 ).
	Noah Prepared An Ark for the Saving of His Household. Genesis 6:22 "Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did." (Hebrews 11:7 ). Christ is building His church according to the commandment received of His Father (John 10:18. Matthew 16:18. Ephesians 5:25-27 ).
	All Outside Noah's Ark Perished (Genesis 7:21 ). Once Noah and his family were in the ark, safe, those without perished. (John 3:18 ).
	Noah and Those in the Ark Experienced Rough Waves (Genesis 7:11). Those in Christ experience tribulation (John 16:33 ). Noah and his family were exposed to the storm but were safe. We overcome in Jesus our victor.
	Noah Produced on Earth A New Breed of People (Genesis 8:17). In Christ we are a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17 ).
	Noah's Dove Returned with An Olive Leaf (Genesis 8:11). Christ Jesus sent the dove, the Spirit - bringing assurance, peace and power. We enjoy kingdom realities - righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17 ).

Upon treading once more earth's soil after the deluge, Noah's first act was to build an altar (Genesis 8:20 ). The altar and the offering upon it were the foundation and beginning of the new life for Noah and his family. Fellowship with God is maintained by remembrance of THE sacrifice. (1 Corinthians 11:23-34 .)

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A Soothing Aroma

Wonderful words, "And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma." (Genesis 8:21 ). A smell of satisfaction - the Father was not looking upon the actual altar and sacrifices, but upon Mount Calvary. It is Christ and only Christ Jesus who is acceptable to God, and our acceptance is in Him.

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God's Rainbow Promise

Knowing man's heart to be evil (Genesis 8:21 ), the earth is replenished with the animals preserved in the ark. Seedtime and harvest are guaranteed by God (Genesis 8:22 ). God blesses Noah and his sons (Genesis 9:1-17 ) giving the rainbow as the sign of His covenant. With every rainbow God remembers His covenant to provide regular harvests and not to destroy by flood (Genesis 9:15,16 ).

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Do you believe that the words of our Lord in Matthew 24:37-39 (note the "as" and "so") fit our generation?
2. In the light of the teaching of this chapter would you conclude that God is not a disinterested watcher of the human scene?
3. Do you see a parallel in Noah finding grace, and your being saved from the wrath and destruction in general?
   • Are you exceptional in uprightness among your contemporaries?
   • Do you walk with God?
   • Are you like Noah, a confidant of God?
4. Do you see that the challenge to Noah's faith, in being told to make the ark, was on an unprecedented scale?
   • Obedience of faith required building exactly according to God's instructions. Are you building your home, business, church fellowship in accordance with God's Word?
5. When God said to Noah, "but I will establish My covenant with you" do you connect it with the original promise in Genesis 3:15?
6. How did Noah and his activities point to Christ? Do you by life and activities point others to Christ?
7. Why do you think sevens of the clean animals were taken into the ark?
8. Who shut Noah and his family in the ark? On whose hand do you depend for safety?
9. Where did the ark finally come to rest? How did Noah know when the land was dry enough to venture out?
   • To whom can the messenger the dove be related?
10. What was Noah's first act on once more treading earth's soil? Does his act speak to you of what you need to maintain?
11. When the Lord smelled a "soothing aroma", was it Noah's sacrifice, or the sacrifice of Christ to which it pointed?
12. What did God remember with every rainbow? Should the rainbow remind you of God's faithfulness to His promises?