"Faultless Among His Contemporaries"

Evil was so rife that God was determined to destroy mankind. But the inspired account states:" Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah. . . N oah was a righteous man. He proved himself faultless among his contemporaries. Noah walked with the true God." (Genesis 6:8, 9) How was it possible to 'walk with God' in a godless world fit only for destruction?

Doubtless, Noah learned much from his father, Lamech, a man of faith and a contemporary of Adam. When giving his son the name Noah (thought to mean "Rest," or "Consolation"), Lamech prophesied: "This one will bring us comfort from our work and from the pain of our hands resulting from the ground which Jehovah has cursed." THat prophecy was fulfilled when God lifted his curse that was on the ground. - Genesis 5:29; 8:21)

Having godly parents is no guarantee of spirituality, for each individual must establish his own relationship with Jehovah. Noah 'walked with God' by pursuing a course that had divine approval. What Noah learned about God move him to serve Him. Noah's faith did not waver when he was informed of God's purpose 'to bring all flesh to ruin in the deluge.' - Genesis 6:13, 17.

Confident that this unprecedented disaster would occur, Noah obeyed Jehovah's command: " Make for yourself an ark out of wood of a resinous tree. You will make compartment's in the ark, and you must cover it inside and outside with tar." (Genesis 6:14) meeting God's specifications for the ark was no small task. Nevertheless, "Noah proceeded to do according to all that God has commanded him." In fact, "he did just so." (Genesis 6:22) Noah did this with the help of his wife and their sons Shem, Ham and Japheth and their wives. Jehovah blessed such faith. What excellent examples for families today! What would building the ark involve? Jehovah directed Noah to construct a huge watertight, three-story, wooden chest, 437 feet long by 73 feet wide by 44 feet high. (Genesis 6:15, 16) Such a vessel would have had a capacity similar to that of various present-day cargo vessels.

What a colossal undertaking! Very likely,it meant felling thousand of trees, hauling them to the construction site, and cutting them into planks or beams. It meant building scaffolding, making pins or pegs, obtaining tar for waterproofing, procuring containers and tools, and so on. The work may have required negotiations with merchants and payment for goods and services. It apparently called for skill in carpentry so as to fit the timbers accurately and build an adequately strong structure. And just think - construction probably lasted some 50 or 60 years!

Noah's attention would next have to turn to the preparation of sufficient food and fodder. (Genesis 6:21) He would have to assemble and marshal a host of animals into the ark. Noah carried out all that God has commanded, and the work was finished. (Genesis 6:22) Jehovah's blessing ensured its complete success.

Next time: "A Preacher Of Righteousness"