The Eyes of Favor

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:8, NIV 1984).

My Musings – What was it that distinguished Noah from the rest of the culture? “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9, NIV 1984). Of course, it would not take must be considered “blameless among the people,” when the people were “corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence.” (Genesis 6:11, NIV 1984). But one does not walk with God without walking in righteousness.

“So, God said to Noah, ‘I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.'” (Genesis 6:12–13, NIV 1984). Now, this may sound harsh. But their corruption meant that “every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” (Genesis 6:5, NIV 1984). Not much in terms of redeeming qualities there. Plus, God have given them “a hundred and twenty years,” (Genesis 6:3z, NIV 1984), to turn from their wicked ways and walk with God.

“Everything on earth will perish. But I [God] will establish my covenant with you [Noah], and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you.” (Genesis 6:17–19, NIV 1984). God always has a remnant to carry on. In the flood, it was Noah and his family. In Sodom and Gomorrah, it was Lot and his family. In the days of Elijah, when he thought he was the only one left serving God, God had preserved “seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees [had] not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths [had] not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18, NIV 1984).

My Advice – “And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.” (Genesis 7:5, NIV 1984). Once again, mankind is on the road to total corruption. Many, who previously claimed to believe in God and followers of Christ. This should not be a surprise. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1, NIV 1984). But those who remain true to the faith, who continue to do “all that the Lord [commands]” will be part of the remnant when Christ returns. You need to be one of the remnant.

Author: thebrewisamusing

I was raised in a Christian family and my earliest childhood memories include regular Sunday school and Church attendance as a family. I was taught that our Judeo-Christian values were not just a part of our Sunday routine they should be part of our character and influence all aspects of our lives. I was also taught that as important as these values were they could not save us. We must also be “born again” by accepting Christ. View all posts by thebrewisamusing