June 18, 2009

"This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth." Genesis 6:9-10

"The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation." Genesis 7:1

"On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark." Genesis 7:13

When it comes to examples of fatherhood, father Noah's best! He is a great demonstration of what a godly man looks like. As I mentioned in the previous posts, Noah shows us how to "man up" by three exemplary things he did:

1) He pleased God

2) He protected his family

3) He preserved the human race

Yesterday I commented on how Noah pleased God. This morning I want to show you how he protected his family.

First, Noah walked with God.

Walking with God brings God's protection on Noah, and therefore, helps Noah protect his wife and children. As the husband and father, he is the head of his family. When the head of the family is under the umbrella of God's blessing and protection it benefits the entire family.

Also, walking with God gave Noah access to God's word and wisdom. Therefore, he was able to know God's will. Not only did Noah walk in God's will, but he shared God's word with his wife and his children. There is no safer place to be than in the center of God's will. No more secure place to lead your family.

Second, Noah worked with God.

Think about what God asked Noah to do. God called Noah to build a boat to preserve his family from a flood that would be caused by 40 days of rain. That is a big job for someone who had some experience building a boat, but it is an impossible task for a farmer who had never seen a boat - or for that matter - rain.

Scientists tell us that prior to the Flood, the earth was surrounded by a thick layer of water vapor that shielded it from direct ultraviolet rays and provided a uniform climate around the world. Apparently God created a climate-controlled planet. Every morning the earth was watered by a heavy due. It had never rained - there was no need for it. Scientists also speculate that it was the rapid condesation of that water vapor that contributed to the massive amounts of water that covered the earth.

Here is why Noah is listed as a man of faith, he obeyed a God he had never seen to build something he had never seen, to prepare for something he had never seen, in order to save his family. That is impressive. The only way a man can do a work like that is when that man walks with God. Noah did.

Third, Noah witnessed for God.

In the midst of a wicked world where no one else was worshipping or walking with God, Noah's walk and work was a strong witness to his faith. His life was a bright light in a dark world. While he worked on the ark he warned his neighbors of the impending judgment from God. Noah faithfully witnessed each day that he pounded nails and poured pitch in the construction of the ark. While his witness was seemingly lost on all the neighbors, it wasn't lost on his wife and his three sons. He brought them into faith before he brought them into the ark.

Noah "manned up" by walking with God and working for God and witnessing for God. He didn't save the world, but he saved his world - his family. What more can a man want?

What are you doing to "man up" for your family?