040. GEN 6:9. SCRIPTURE CHARACTERS

Gen_6:9. Scripture Characters

NO. II. NOAH

"Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God."’97Gen_6:9.

Noah was the son of Lamech, and was born about the year of the world 1056, or about 126 years after the death of Adam. His name signifies rest, or consolation; see ver. 29. His history is full of striking incidents, and he has a prominent place among the believing worthies mentioned by the apostle in his letter to the Hebrews; see Heb_11:7, &c. We must limit our observations in this short sketch, and select what is most likely to interest and profit us.

Let us consider Noah in his private character’97in his public labors’97and inhis gracious deliverance. Notice,

I. His Private Character.

1. He found grace in the sight of the Lord. Ver. 8.

That is, he obtained the favor of God. This he did, by believing God’s warnings to the old world. Heb_11:7. This produced a holy, reverential fear of God. No other way to obtain divine favor, but by believing that he is, and that he is the re-warder of those who diligently seek him.

2. He was a just man.

Equitable in his dealings’97honest’97upright’97straightforward, &c. Justice essential to the Christian character. "What doth the Lord require of thee," &c.

3. He was perfect in his generation.

Perfection here, in the very best of men, can only mean to be perfect in sincerity, in desire, in aim, in parts, as the child has all the parts of the full-grown man. Perfect in his generation, compared with those around him’97compared with the best of them, &c.

4. Noah walked with God.

He was in agreement with God’97walked as God dictated’97walked in fellowship with God’97kept up close communion with him.

5 Noah’s character was thus excellent at a time of universal corruption.

World against him’97he had to stand alone’97to resist the torrent’97to be God’s witness when wicked men had excluded his authority and religion from the world. Chap. vi. 1. Notice,

II. His Public Labors.

He was a preacher of righteousness, &c. 1Pe_2:5. As such, he would have,

1. To place their unrighteousness before them.

Charge them with their sins. Knowledge of disease indispensable to restoration.

2. He had to enforce attention to righteousness.

This is their only way of safety. Cease to do evil, &c. Let the wicked forsake his way, &c. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, &c.

3. As a preacher he was faithful.

Both as to matter, manner perseverance, &c. He condemned the old world, left them without excuse, &c.

4. He preached practically.

By his own example, and more especially by building the ark. They had it rising before their eyes. Every nail was a text to them, and every plank a sermon. The ark was typical of Jesus, provided for the salvation of a perishing world. To him Gospel ministers direct inquiring sinners, as the only refuge from the wrath to come.

Notwithstanding,

5. He was an unsuccessful preacher.

They despised his discourses’97most probably laughed at his ark’97remained infatuated’97and perished. God, however, was clear; the preacher was clear; their blood was upon their own heads. God does not coerce men; he invites, presents motive, affords means, supplies strength and then, if they perish, it is because they will not come unto him and have life Mark,

III. His Gracious Deliverance.

According to intimation, the flood came’97world overflowed’97people perished.’97Noah, with his wife, his three sons, and their wives, were the only saved. His deliverance,

1. Was the gracious reward of his faith and obedience.

He had honored God’97trusted in God’97believed God’97obeyed God. Now God distinguishes and saves him, and, for his sake, his family. Noah’s deliverance,

2. Was for the encouragement of believing sinners to the end of the world.

Yes! whosoever believeth shall bo saved, &c.

Application

1. Noah lived after (he flood 350 years displayed great frailty, &c. Let us watch and pray, &c. Christ says unto all, Watch. Here, 2. Ministers may learn their duty. 3. Sinners, their only way of sure and certain safety. 4. And the incorrigible, their inevitable doom.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS