NOAH

     For men today to deny the truth of the 6000 year history of the human family from Adam to our generation [as verified in the list of generations from Adam to Jesus Christ (Lu.3:23-38)] displays a level of belligerence that cannot be reasoned with regardless of the evidence displayed before them, whether Biblical or scientific. This is tremendously sad for the Bible believing Christian, because the honor that has been given us in the reality that Noah was the most righteous man of his generation and that all of us living today are descendents from his virtuous life has been continuously denied by the atheistic mindset the world over. In fact, as the Antediluvians refused to believe the flood would ever come, so men today refuse to believe the flood ever came.

     But even among those who believe the great stories of GOD’S great deliverance and His reciprocating judgments against sinful man’s abuse of life, certain beliefs are evangelized where ministers, elders, and common believers bring dishonor to our father, Noah.

     Sin against GOD’S Holy Law is much more dangerous than men give credence, both in and out of the church. The psalmist wrote: “I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.” Ps.119:96. This “broad” nature of GOD’S Law was perfectly demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ. His perfect obedience to every nuance of the heavenly law secured the salvation of man. In fact, everything the Bible believing Christian loves and adores about Jesus is due to His giving perfect honor to GOD’S Sacred Law. It is in fact Utopian Law, and it will stand forever as the great standard for all of life’s diversity and discovery (Jer.31:33). That men choose to “break one of these commandments, and shall teach men so” (Matt.5:19) has no basis in logic or ethics, for every lie, theft, adultery, and murder throughout history can be traced to their transgression. But GOD yet continues His appeal: “Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.” Prov.7:2.

     Of our father Noah, all should consider the 5th Commandment: “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Ex.20:12. These words not only apply to our parents but also to previous generations of our family, extending back to Adam. And all the people who believe Abraham is their father (whether literally, or spiritually), how many have brought and continue to bring dishonor to his name! The same can be said of Noah.

     Certain churchmen have literally sinned against our father Noah by their bearing a false witness against him, transgressing the 9th Commandment: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Ex.20:16. The sin of lying is verified in these men by their publicly declaring two things:

1. Noah became a drunkard [habitual intoxication] after the ark came to rest and he grew a vineyard and produced wine from it.

2. That he sinned by getting drunk. We need to know how Scripture openly condemns both positions, and that those who hold such doctrines have brought dishonor and shame to our father Noah.

     The Bible recorded the event: “And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.” Gen.9:20-23. (The shame of one’s nakedness was strong in those early generations of men. Extending back to the fall of Adam and Eve into sin, it was viewed as evil to look upon the nakedness of another.)

     The Bible states that Noah became intoxicated only onetime. Nowhere is it even hinted that Noah drank after this experience, let alone became a drunkard. Two key points to remember:

1. The Apostle Paul emphatically stated that no drunkard will enter the kingdom of heaven (I Cor.5:9-11; Gal.5:19-21). And so for any man to accuse Noah of being a drunkard declares that he forfeit GOD’S salvation and eternal life!

2. The Bible gives allowance for intoxication under certain conditions as it is written: “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.” Prov.31:4-8.

     None among sinful men have ever endured the experience of our father Noah. His standing alone amidst an entire crime-ridden civilization, calling to all men, declaring for 120 years of the coming global desolation by water, and calling all men to repent that they might live—eternally through GOD’S Grace in giving “his only begotten Son.” (Yes, the Antediluvians heard of the coming sacrifice of Christ as evidenced by the animal sacrifice instituted in the beginning of sin's reign (Gen.3:21; 4:4), although unbelief ruled their minds and hearts, just as it does today). And after he with his small family entered the ark and the rain began to fall, to hear the cries of the people outside, some of whom he knew their voices, this was tormenting to his soul. As veterans have tormenting nightmares of the tragedies of warfare that they experienced, so Noah was haunted to the point of being crushed by the experience of witnessing the sights and sounds of the destruction of all life on Earth; and he was “ready to perish.” And yes, he got drunk. But he wasn’t a drunkard, and he wasn’t sinning when he got drunk. The Bible is clear in the boundaries on this issue concerning our father Noah. As to later generations and sin had weakened the moral fiber of men, Solomon gave stern counsel as to the dangers of wine and strong drink in deceiving men to theirs and their nation's ruin.

     All should be careful of their words. Said Jesus: “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matt.12:37. The Apostle James also warned: “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!…But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” Ja.1:26; 3:2-6,8-10. And the Apostle Peter encourages us to do right in all things under the sun: “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.” I Pet.3:10.