Noah is among the well known. The world is all too familiar with this character yet, I fear, not familiar enough. He has been fashioned into a cute little child's toy. You'll find him on quilts, in plastic play sets, in books, on balloons, and years ago he even appeared on a video game. Noah is known about yet perhaps not known as he should be. Verse 7 gives us a good glimpse into the faithful character of this righteous man.
Noah was "warned by God" and he obviously listened to the warning! He set out to do all that God had instructed him. Though rain had never fallen, though the skies were clear, though the scoffers hurled their insults at him - he set out to build an ark and he built it "in reverence" to his God.
Most of us don't take kindly to insults. We're prone to give up and run and hide. Not Noah. He didn't run, he didn't cower, he walked in obedience to his God despite the mockery of his neighbors. With every hit of the hammer he preached to them of the coming wrath of a holy God. Every plank of wood foretold their end. He built the ark by which he condemend the world.
"A warning had been received from God of things not yet seen. God usually warns sinners before He strikes, and where His warnings are slighted, the blow will fall the heavier." Noah heard and believed and "his holy fear condemned their vain confidence; his faith condemned their unbelief; his obedience condemned their contempt. Good examples either convert sinners or condemn them. This is the best way the people of God can take to condemn the wicked; not by harsh and censorious language, but by a holy exemplary conversation."
Noah's walk witnessed as much as his words and through his faithful walking the wicked were condemend and his family was redeemed. As we conclude the third stop in the tour of these hallowed halls might I ask - how are we walking, working and witnessing this day?
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