4. Old Testament Walkers and Talkers

iii. Noah

Noah

Thinking

Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God (Genesis 6: 9).

The Bible records that God spoke to Noah on five occasions. These are recorded in chapters 6 - 9 of the book of Genesis and comprise: -

1) instructions about building the ark

2) instructions about going into the ark

3) instructions about coming out of the ark

4) God's response to Noah's offering

5) blessings

We actually don't have any recorded words of Noah back to God, just the response - "Noah... did all that God commanded him (Genesis 6: 22)"

Praying

Lord as I contemplate this passage, feelings of my own inadequacy well up. Noah seems to have been a man of action responding to faith, rather than being a man of words. There are many times when there is a need to follow this example. I/we talk too much, and can get too verbose in our prayers. I/we need to listen to you, and then get on and obey your commands.

Listening

My words are not all commands, my son. I also have words of encouragement and guidance for you. And think about it - far away from a shipbuilding culture, Noah needed that too. It's not written in the text but it is implicit in the result. Guidance and encouragement are part of my purposes, my conversation with you, and my love for you and for all people.

Praying

Dare I add to your words, Lord? When I sense you prompting like this, I also need to come to you in worship. This is becoming for me an important part of walking and talking with you and my response to the awareness of who you are. I just need to pause now as I write these words to worship you and tell you that I love you.

Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved.

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