One Thing Needful

Amidst a wicked and perverse generation, Noah found favor in the eyes of God because he alone was righteous and blameless.  (vv.5-12)  He was righteous and blameless because he walked with God.  (v.9)  God expressed His favor to Noah by the revelation of His plan to not only destroy the world (v.17), but to save Noah and his family and to establish a covenant with him (v.18).  After the revelation He gave instruction–specific instruction and provided everything Noah needed to obey.  (vv.18-21)  Noah’s salvation was realized through obedience.  (v.22)  He obeyed God because he trusted Him.  Noah’s obedience was the expression of his faith.  (Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, after being warned about what was not yet seen, in reverence built an ark to deliver his family.  By this [the obedience of faith] he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”)  Without the work of obedience, Noah and his family would not have been saved.  Noah’s faith was shown to a disobedient generation by the work of gathering the animals, and constructing and entering the ark just as God said.  Centuries later James would declare this same principle, “…I will show you faith from my works.” (James 2:18)