Noah's Faith Condemns the World - "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. . . . Noah 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 an 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 5:28; 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 moved 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 his unprecedented disaster would occur, Noah obeyed Jehovah's command: "Make for yourself and ark out of wood of wood of a resinous tree.  You will make compartments in the ark, and you must cover it inside and out 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 had 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!

Next  time: Noah's Faith Condemns the World - "Faultless Among His Contemporaries" 

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