When someone describes something as absurd, they usually mean it is unthinkable, not possible, or so far from the norm that it can’t be conceived. When I looked up the word absurd, it is an adjective, but when I looked up the noun form of the word absurdity, this is what the dictionary states: an absurdity is a thing that is extremely unreasonable, so as to be foolish or not taken seriously. Absurd is an adjective used to describe an absurdity. This would certainly describe Noah in the world’s eyes.
In Genesis 6:8, the Bible says Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. This is the first time in the Bible that the word grace is used. God had extended grace, His unmerited favor, since the first sin was committed by mankind in the garden. However, it is with Noah that God gives this favor a name. This name for God’s favor that we cannot earn, is still being used today. Grace is a gift that is unmerited. It is opposed to works as a source of blessing.
Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
In Genesis 7:5, God says that Noah did all the Lord commanded. This is why God chose Noah to build the ark and save his family from total destruction. When God gave Noah the command to build the ark it had never rained upon the earth. Noah didn’t understand all that God was going to do, but he believed God and acted upon that belief. That is what faith does. Faith takes the things we can not understand and the things we cannot see and causes us to take action.
Genesis 7:5 “And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him.”
Noah’s faith was real! God gave the command, and he obeyed. Biblical calculations show that it was about 120 years from the time God deemed the earth wicked until the completion of the ark. This was a long time for people to get the message that God had given Noah. Since no one had ever heard of water falling from the sky, there must have been mocking and laughter at Noah’s expense. The mockery, jeering, criticizing, and hatred for righteousness, didn’t change Noah’s actions. His faith was not in how he could get along here on this earth. It was not about how others viewed him. Neither did the thought of his children’s feelings, as others made fun of them, didn’t detour Noah’s desire to obey. Nothing came between Noah and his obedience to God.
Think about it. If Noah had not obeyed, all mankind would have died. How was he able to obey what seemed to be an absurd command from God? It was his faith that carried him through. His faith had already been established before the big request was given by God. He had nurtured it and fed his faith by his past obedience. He had consistently taken steps of faith toward God throughout his life. When God proclaimed in Genesis 7:5 that Noah had obeyed all He commanded Him to, it showed us the magnitude of his faith. His faith seemed absurd to others because it was radical and extravagant. Because of his faith, he could obey completely. It was not blind faith, but a faith fed by years of watching God work, of being involved in God’s work, so he could experience first hand the awesomeness of God. He had a history with God. His obedience was not one of convenience or likes and dislikes. It was simple obedience. God said it, and that settled it.
Noah’s faith should be one that all Christians can relate to. We live in a time when Christianity is mocked. A time when the Bible is considered obsolete and out of touch with reality. May I remind you that God is the author of what is real and true? The world has affected the church instead of the church affecting the world. We are to be different, we are to be steadfast and unmoveable for the sake of the gospel. God has not changed and never will. As a Christian, I am to love everyone and seek to win them to a God who spared not His only Son for their salvation, but I am not to love what they do or take the attitude of “to each his own.”
Noah honored his relationship with God above everything. He was not swayed to disobey because it was uncomfortable. He continued on the path of faithfulness to God because the cost of unfaithfulness would be his life and the life of his family. Noah’s faith may have seemed absurd to those around him, but I’m sure when the rain started and the door of the ark was closed, no longer did his faith seem unreasonable to observers.
How strong is your faith? Do people think you are crazy because you work tirelessly for the kingdom’s sake? Is your faith strong enough that people notice a huge difference between you and them?
Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
