Many of you have studied the Torah portion called Noach for some time now. Most likely you have underlined your favorite verses preparing to share them with others. But have you ever just thought about why Yahweh chose Noah? The text tells us, “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” But what is favor? And is favor achievable today?
There are not many specific words in Scripture that describe the characteristics of Noah, but in the text, we can see a relevant picture. In Genesis 6, we read about violence and the presence of Nephilim. Hence, a few subscribe to a theory of Noah’s seed being uncorrupted, thus finding favor with YHWH. But favor in Hebrew means grace or charming. If this is the case, a paraphrase may say, “And Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (in the days of violence).” Or, we could say, “Noah showed a good deal of charm in the eyes of the Lord. (A needed attribute in the days of violence.)
I believe it is also possible to see Noah’s attributes that found favor within the text. For instance, Noah must have had good building hands in that Yah told him to build. Noah was most likely a motivational leader in that he convinced his family to help. He would have been a man of strong faith, capable of enduring criticism and ridicule since a flood would have been a new thing on Earth. And above all, he would have been a man of great hope and faith to think the ark would survive such a calamity.
Last Sabbath, I spoke to my MVF family about being in The Word to receive the blessing of life. For when we are “in Him” light fills our darkness. When we are “in” the Word, we are humbled to see the magnificence of Yahweh. And then, like another favored servant by the name of Job, we too will put our hand over our mouths as we recognize His Glory over our small thoughts.
“Behold, I am insignificant; what can I say in response to You?I put my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not reply;
Or twice, and I will add nothing more.” Job 40:3-5
I think Noah put his hand over his mouth when given the task of building an ark. Wouldn’t you? Most likely Noah knew the world was beyond the point of wickedness. But yet he still built an ark that could have carried more than his family.
Yeshua said the end of days would be like “the days of Noah.” Consequently, the days of Noah would include the building of an ark. We don’t think about this much, but could the ark represent a type of salvation or judgment we are to receive? The Book of Revelation tells us about a great multitude that are saved. So, Who saves? Who builds?
It’s fascinating to me when people grumble within congregational families. Typically, it involves issues that do not matter in the works of the Kingdom. A flood is coming, and many are choosing to focus on the minors rather than bringing people to the foot of the Cross—a greater promise of Salvation. The power of the cross changes a heart. The blood and the righteous covering of Yeshua cause a man to seek the ways of Yahweh and find favor.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
John 3: 16-18
In these last days, I would encourage everyone and anyone to disregard any unfavorable grumblings or projects that elevate opinions over the works of the Kingdom. It won’t save you. Consider the self-righteous works of Miriam, Aaron, Korach, and even Absolom. Like them, you may feel justified on a certain point of belief, but are the words coming out of your mouth beneficial to building the body or to new believers? Do they lift or tear down? Do they add stability or confusion? Do they offer an ark of salvation to those seeking eternal life?
