Read Genesis 9:18-29

Nobody is Perfect

Noah, the man who “found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8), “was a just man, perfect in his generations” and “walked with God” (Genesis 6:9), made a mistake. The Scriptures tell us that after the flood, “Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent” (Genesis 9:20-21). This is a part of Noah’s life that we typically gloss over, but it is important to note that even those who live godly lives most of the time have moments of weakness.

There are warnings against alcohol throughout the Scriptures, many of which are found in the book of Proverbs. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1).

Solomon offers an inspired treatise against alcohol in Proverbs 23:19-35. “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine” (Proverbs 23:29-30).

In the New Testament, Peter uses three words or phrases for alcohol abuse, and makes a contrast between the “lusts of men” and the “will of God” (1 Peter 4:2). He writes, “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).

The apostle Paul, too, writes, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). The word “dissipation” is more easily understood in the original King James Version, where it is rendered “excess” in this verse, or “riot” in 1 Peter 4:4. It is, per Greek lexicographer Thayer, an “abandoned, dissolute life.”

Noah shows that alcohol often leads to poor judgment and often causes trouble not only in the life of the one who drinks, but in the lives of those closest to him. Thankfully, God is abundant in grace and we can be forgiven when we repent, turning away from our sin and turning to His will.

Read Genesis 6:8-22

The Character of Noah

Genesis 6:8 makes the simple statement that “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” What made Noah different than all the others who lived on the earth at that time?

First, Moses tells us that “Noah was a just man” (Genesis 6:9). That is, he lived according to the law to which he was amenable. He did what was commanded and expected of him.

Second, Noah was “perfect in his generations” (Genesis 6:9). Not sinless; only the Son of God can lay claim to such. In relation to the world in which he lived, however, Noah stood out as relatively perfect.

Third, “Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). This is the same thing that was said of the patriarch Enoch in Genesis 5:22. He was striving to please God in heaven, despite the evil world’s negative influence.

Because of the violence and corruption in the world, God made a decision to start over. Yet, He showed favor to Noah because Noah tried to do what God expected. The Lord instructed Noah to build an ark. More than that, God gave Noah specifics about the materials with which he should build, and the dimensions of the ark. God even told Noah to make preparations for food for himself, his family, and the animals. God left nothing to Noah’s imagination; He told Noah what was expected.

Genesis 6:22 says, “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” But what if he didn’t?

What if Noah had decided that oak would have been prettier than gopherwood? What if Noah had decided that fifty cubits would not be wide enough to house all the animals, and he decided to make it sixty cubits instead? What if Noah had invited his very good friends to join him and his family on the ark?

Friends, we need to follow God’s instructions to the very best of our ability. If we knowingly disobey Him, we cannot expect to find grace in His sight. “According to all God commanded him, so he did.” Have you done all that God has commanded of you in this Christian age?

Read Genesis 6:1-8

Finding Grace in the Eyes of God

Do you ever look around at the evil in the world and long for the “good ol’ days”? You see the extreme violence and gross immorality and wonder where it all went wrong. You’re not alone. In fact, you’re in the same company as God.

Moses tells of a time when “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). When one hears the news of riots and murders and sexual deviance, you almost have to wonder if it has ever been as bad as it is now. Back in Noah’s day, though, it got so bad that “the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart” (Genesis 6:6).

God made the decision to destroy all life on the planet. Not only man, but “both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air” (Genesis 6:7). He decided to wipe the slate clean.

“But…”

That little word that sometimes annoys us so much, yet in this instance it was full of hope.

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8).

The world was a bad place. Man was constantly thinking and doing evil things. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” There was still hope.

Look back to Genesis 5:29, and notice what Lamech said about his son: “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed.” Lamech understood that hope often rested with the next generation.

As bad as things can be today, there is hope for tomorrow because of people of faith like Noah. As long as there are people like Noah that stand out when everyone around them is wicked and continually thinking of evil schemes, there is hope.

Be like Noah. Stand out. Find grace in the eyes of the Lord.