Jehovah Blesses His Servants

Noah was an outstanding servant of God. At Genesis 6:8, we read: "Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah." Why? Because Noah was obedient. The account says: " Noah walked with the true God." Noah upheld Jehovah's righteous principles and obeyed his commands. At a time when the world had sunk into violence and depravity, Noah was move "to do according to all that God had commanded him. He did just so." (Genesis 6:9, 22) As a result, Jehovah directed him to construct "an ark for the saving of [Noah's] household." (Hebrew 11:7) In this way, Noah and his family- and through them the human race-survived the destruction of that generation. And Noah died with the hope of being resurrected to the prospect of eternal life on a paradise earth. What rich blessings he received!

Abraham too had qualities that pleased Jehovah. Foremost among these was faith. (Hebrews 11:8-10) Abraham left a comfortable life in Ur and later in Haran because he had faith in Jehovah's promise that his seed would become many and be a blessing for all nations. (Genesis 12:2,3)Despite long years of testing, his faith was rewarded when his son Isaac was born. Through him, Abraham became the ancestor of God's chosen nation, Israel, and eventually of the Messiah. (Romans 4:19-21) Moreover, he is "the father of all those having faith," and he came to be called "Jehovah's friend," (Romans 4:11; James 2:23; Galatians 3:7, 29) What a meaningful life he lived, and how richly he was blessed!


Consider, too, the faithful man Moses. Outstanding among his qualities was his appreciation of spiritual things. Moses turned his back on all the riches of Egypt and "continued steadfast as seeing the one who is invisible." ( Hebrews 11:27) After 40 years in Midian, he returned to Egypt as an old man and stood up to the greatest power of the time, Pharaoh, to demand freedom for his brothers. (Exodus 7:1-7) He saw the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the destruction of Pharaoh's armies. Jehovah used him to give the Law to Israel and to mediate his covenant with the new nation. For 40 years, Moses led the nation of Israel in the wilderness. His life had a real purpose, and he enjoyed wonderfully rich blessings of service.

Next time: Present -Day Blessings