Noah, a central figure in the Genesis narrative, is renowned for his unique relationship with God, marked by divine favor and righteousness amidst a corrupt world. His account is primarily found in Genesis 6-9, where he emerges as a pivotal character in God's plan to preserve humanity and the animal kingdom through the Great Flood.

Righteousness in a Corrupt World

In the antediluvian world, humanity had become exceedingly wicked, prompting God to express regret over His creation. Genesis 6:5-6 states, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart." Amidst this pervasive corruption, Noah stood out as a beacon of righteousness. Genesis 6:8-9 records, "Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God."

Noah's righteousness is characterized by his blamelessness and his close relationship with God, which set him apart from his contemporaries. His life exemplified obedience and faithfulness, qualities that garnered him divine favor.

Divine Commission and Obedience

God's favor towards Noah is further demonstrated through the divine commission to build the ark, a massive vessel intended to preserve life during the impending flood. In Genesis 6:13-14 , God instructs Noah, "Then God said to Noah, 'The end of all living things has come before Me, because their violence has filled the earth; behold, I will destroy them along with the earth. Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out.'"

Noah's obedience to God's command is emphasized throughout the narrative. Genesis 6:22 states, "So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him." This unwavering obedience is a testament to Noah's faith and trust in God's plan, further solidifying his favored status.

Covenant and Legacy

Following the flood, God establishes a covenant with Noah, signifying a new beginning for humanity. In Genesis 9:8-11 , God declares, "Then God said to Noah and his sons with him, 'Behold, I now establish My covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth—every living thing that came out of the ark. I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.'"

This covenant, marked by the sign of the rainbow, underscores God's mercy and faithfulness, with Noah as the recipient and mediator of this divine promise. Noah's favor with God not only ensured the survival of his family and the animal kingdom but also laid the foundation for God's continued relationship with humanity.

New Testament References

Noah's favor and righteousness are acknowledged in the New Testament, where he is cited as an exemplar of faith. Hebrews 11:7 states, "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith." This reference highlights Noah's faith-driven actions and his role as a precursor to the righteousness available through faith in Christ.

In 1 Peter 3:20-21 , Noah's account is used as an analogy for salvation through baptism, "who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water. And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Noah's favor with God, therefore, serves as a profound example of faith, obedience, and divine grace, resonating throughout the biblical narrative and into the teachings of the New Testament.