Union of Evangelical Students of India

We are on a series of studies of men and women of influence in the Bible “Transforming Characters.” So far we have looked into the lives of Job, Abel. and Enoch. Now it’s our turn to study Noah. We had already briefly studied Noah in one of my articles. The thoughts on the new beginning that Noah and his family experienced could yield a message that may be relevant to New Year too.

The verses about Noah in Hebrews encapsulate the life story and characteristics of Noah. The recording in Heb. 11.7 is - “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of righteousness that comes by faith” (ESV). I have underlined only 8 aspects here which may throw light on some vital facts of Noah’s life. In fact we can dissect it much more intricately and make a useful study. The Old Testament recording in Gen. 6 adds another critical dimension – “But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.” Here are 4 points underlined. These twelve aspects offer enough stuff to meditate over the whole month. For a meaningful study, we may take up these aspects in at least the next two issues.

‘Being warned of God’ and ‘righteousness and blamelessness of Noah’ have a connection. This indicates us that, as Noah was righteous, God warned him about the impending deluge. Blamelessness fetches a booty of benefits. What a great God we have who recognizes the character of a human being and takes interest in his/her welfare! Another thought that emanates from this is that God used a natural method (though His sovereign control was there upon the whole event) rather than a totally supernatural/ mysterious way of safeguarding Noah. Though He can do exceedingly supernatural things, He often uses the natural circumstances/things to protect His children. The Hebrew for ‘blamelessness’ conveys the meaning of perfection. It need not be interpreted as sinlessness but as without much evident flaws and careful walk in God’s light. Especially in the context of prevalent corruption and violence around him (God saw the earth and behold it was corrupt Gen. 6.11. and God said, “. . . the earth was filled with violence” v.13) where people were too careless and lackadaisical to correct themselves, Noah was prudent to walk in God’s fear. As a result, he found favour in the eyes of the Lord who revealed to him of what was going to happen to the world.

From the life of Noah can we infer that Blamelessness fetches a booty of benefits as a maxim for the year ahead!

Dr David Jayakumar