“It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before….and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.” Hebrews 11:7

In June 1989 the Chinese government violently sought to suppress peaceful protests for freedom in Tiananmen Square. An unidentified Chinese man courageously stood alone to face a column of 59 tanks in order to save his people from extreme oppression. The now famous image of this humble man willing to take a stand against overwhelming odds has been named among the most influential photos of recent history and has encouraged countless others to make a solitary stand for their cause as well.

Noah was also a courageous solitary man whom God raised up as a ‘tank stopper’. He made a lone stand against the oppressively wicked culture of his day while warning his indifferent neighbors of God’s coming judgment (Gen 6:5-9, 11-13, 17; 1 Pet 3:18-20; 2 Pet. 2:5) and proclaiming His grace through repentance (II Pet 3:3-9). His name literally means ‘to rest’ (Gen 5:29) as he trusted fully in the character and promise of God (Ps 23; 37:3-7; Mt 11:28-30). According to the time line given in Genesis (4:17- 5:32), Noah lived 9 generations after Adam. Adam died at 930 and Noah was born 126 years after Adam died and then lived to be 950 (Gen 9:29). In His grace, the Lord patiently gave the people of that day 120 years to turn from their evil indifference and return to Him in fellowship (6:3). Noah was 500 years old when he had the first of three sons (5:32) and he was 600 when the flood started (7:6). The dimensions of the ark are staggering! 510 feet long, 85 wide, and 51 high if we use the historical cubit which is 20 inches (6:14- 22). Its displacement was 22,000 tons with a volume of 1.5 million cubic feet which is larger than a Walmart Super Center or 570 standard railroad stock cars. Naval ship building reveals that the ark’s 1:6 ratio is exceedingly stable making it almost impossible to capsize. For you dudes new to the Bible… Joan of Ark was not Noah’s wife!

Walking Through Genesis 6-9

(6:3, 6-7, 11-13, 17) How did the ‘Roar’ of God’s wrath get Noah’s attention and ours? What does God teach us about the His holiness as well as His expectation that we seek to live according to His moral standards and design for marriage? What is the honest response of your heart to God’s holiness? How has God lately reminded you of His holiness? How does His holy character affect your actions, decisions, priorities, thoughts, relationships? (Jer 17:5-10; Amos 7:6 plumb line; Rom 1:18-25; 3:10-25; Is 6:1-10)

(Matthew 24:35-41) Like Noah, Jesus was taking a stand against the ‘tanks’ of His this world which shoot at us every day in order to keep us from fellowship with Him. How does Jesus use the true account of Noah to get their attention and warn them of God’s holiness in order to drive them to His grace?

(6:6) What did God teach Noah about the ‘Purr’ of the tenderness of His heart amidst the roar of His anger? [Hint: “Grieve” = a love word describing a broken heart as of a father when his son rebels or disobeys. Is 63:7-10; Eph 4:30; John 11:33-40; Matt 23:37-39] How have your kids and grand kids hurt and grieved your heart? How have you likewise broken the Father’s heart this past week?

(6:8, 18; 8:1, 20-21; 9:1, 8-17) Though Noah was a sinner like us, what did God teach him about His grace as the men whom He created in His image continued to rebel, reject and deny Him? Where do you see grace in the faithfulness of His promises to you in the Bible? Which of His gracious promises are you clinging to at present? (Ps 27:13-14; Heb 10:23; 2 Cor1:20; Rom 4:20-21)

(Gen 6:8; 7:1; 15:6; Rom 3:28; 5:1; Eph 2:8-10) According to God, what makes a man “blameless” or “righteous” like Noah gaining His “favor”?

(6:8, 9, 22; 7:5, 16; 8:10-12, 20-21) Though we don’t know exactly how, we do know that during the 930 years of Noah’s life God carved some awesome attributes. What were they and which do you most desire for your life? What hard ‘chisels’ did God use to carve these qualities into Noah making him more like Christ?

Bible Project: Holiness of God. How does the holiness of God play in the narrative of Noah and his culture? See on our Youtube channel.

(Gen 6:1-13) In what ways can you identify with this account of Noah’s story (experience) as it intersects with yours? In what ways is our culture like his? Where do you feel like you are taking a stand confronting the ‘tanks’ of our culture? Do you ever feel like God’s people are losing against the flood waters of sin in our churches and/or culture? (2 Tim 3:1-5)

(2 Peter 2:5) What most likely was Noah doing in his eroding culture for 100 years even as he was making the ark? How can you do the same in your culture even as you work at your vocation? Are you willing? (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; 8:4; II Tim 4:2-5)

(Gen 6:14-8:19) One way God chisels His men is to put them under an enormous amount of pressure for long periods of time in order to teach them that authentic HOPE comes only from the Him…His strength… His wisdom…His grace…His plan! Though Noah did not have a Bible to read, a church attend or a Men’s Forum with dudes to encourage him, how could the following verses have encouraged him during the tough, seemingly hopeless times? Which one especially helps you during a long time of endurance in your life? (Jer 29:11; Prov 3:5-6; 23:18; Is 55:8-9; Heb 13:5; Zach 4:6; Jam 1:2-5)

Tag Team

How does God use the account of Noah’s life to point you to Jesus and draw you to the promise of His grace? How does his life encourage you to “walk with God” (Gen 6:9) and motivate you to do “all that He commands” (6:22; 7:5, 16)? How is your “walk” with God? Unfocused lagging behind? Pridefully running ahead? Lukewarm or indifferent? (Gen 5:22-24; 17:1; Dt 8:6, 10:12, 11:22; I Kings 8:61; Col 1:10; I John 5:3).