Noah’s Walk of Obedience

In Egypt, with the Israelite population growing out of control, Pharaoh decided to impose forced labor and to exercise post-birth population control by drowning all the baby boys in the Nile River, but allowing the little girls to live. Horrible, right? I am certain God didn’t like this either. So, because Moses’ mom could no longer hide him, in an effort to save him, she put him in a papyrus basket and sent him down the Nile. The word for this basket in Hebrew is tebah, and it’s the same word used for “ark,” as in Noah’s ark. It’s always so amazing to me how intricate and precise are the designing plans of God. Baby Moses was not just sent down the Nile River in a basket. It was, in effect, an ark. 

As you know, Noah’s ark and Moses’ ark were very different. Moses’ ark was about a yard long while Noah’s ark was probably 150 times longer. Moses’ ark was made of reeds from the Nile, while Noah’s ark was made from sturdy cypress wood. However, the two arks had two things in common. They were both covered in pitch or tar to keep them from sinking. And both arks represent the same thing – God’s means of saving humanity.

Noah’s ark saved a righteous family from God’s judgment on humanity. Moses’ ark saved the man who would lead a nation to safety after God’s judgment on Egypt. Both arks are about salvation, saving those God loves. The arks were life preservers for everyone on board, leading and preparing the world for the ultimate ark, the cross of Jesus. The cross is for those today who are sinking in a sea of sin.  God always sends an ark in one form or another to save us from drowning. Just imagine Noah and God’s exchange on the day Noah was told to build this massive ark of such incredible proportions. Just imagine for a minute, if God came to you and asked you to do what seemed impossible. What excuse would you give Him? You have to admit, Noah’s response was incredible. The Bible just states in Genesis 6:22, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him” and apparently, without argument, without a word. Amazing! I’m just totally blown away by what he didn’tsay! Noah didn’t say: “I’ve never done that before.” “I’m too old.” “People will call me crazy.” “I’m not strong enough.” “It’s impossible, I can’t do it.” “This is ridiculous.” “It’s not the right time.” 

When God asks us to do something, it never seems to be a good time. And just why do you think that is? It might just be because it’s His time, not ours. He sees the big picture. We see only our pictures. God knows the plans for centuries to come. We see only the concerns of the day and the plans in our mere bubble of life. When God asked Noah to build an ark, Noah had plenty of reasons to say no:

“I’ve never built an ark before.” “I’m six hundred years old.” “The people around me are evil.” “How am I going to manage a floating zoo?” Despite the many possible excuses, Noah obediently did everything just as God commanded him. (Genesis 6:22) Radical obedience, indeed! If Noah hadn’t obeyed God, just think what might have happened. All of humanity could have drowned in the sea. We just never really know what all is attached to the things that God asks or tells us to do. So many times, we give ourselves excuses for avoiding the things we know God is directing. Thus, in the end, we wind up limiting the plans God has for us, the opportunities He is offering. We can never limit Him but we can limit ourselves.

So what’s your reason for saying no to God? What is God asking you to do today that you may not want to do or have excuses for? Furthermore, what do you think God is asking your children and grandchildren to do? What is holding them back? 

Could it be:

1) Wrong priorities, putting others before Christ? Colossians 1:17 “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

2) Fear?  “For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

3) Inadequacy? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

4) Lack of trust in God? Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

My friends, when God wants us to do something, there are no good excuses for not doing it. Noah didn’t question God’s instruction, he didn’t question God’s timing, and he didn’t question his ability to complete the task. Why? Because he really knew God and fully trusted Him. Radical obedience was his natural response to God. In fact, a notable pastor once said, “Great moves of God are usually preceded by simple acts of obedience”. While the task at hand for Noah certainly wasn’t simple, it was a step that preceded a great move of God.  We can learn much from Noah and his walk. The Bible tells us that during Noah’s time, the earth was so filled with evil that the Lord felt bad that he had made man, and His heart was grieved. The Lord was so grieved that He decided to destroy man and the earth. “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.” (Gen 6:13) However, the Bible stated in Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”(Gen. 6:8) Therefore, Noah and His family were saved by God because, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless, and He walked faithfully with God.” (Gen.6:9) One cannot walk with God unless they are walking in obedience, there’s just no other path. 

Father God, may our children and grandchildren always walk faithfully in radical obedience to you, this day and every day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.