Ardent American Patriot and Lover of Israel
Noah and Joshua – Examples of Priority
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)
Noah was indeed a man of mighty faith, believing God’s Word even about “things not seen as yet,” preparing for a worldwide Flood in a day when God had never yet even “caused it to rain upon the earth” (Genesis 2:5). Noah was “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5) to an unbelieving world for at least 120 years (Genesis 6:3), “while the ark was a preparing” (1 Peter 3:20), WITHOUT GAINING A SINGLE CONVERT except his own family!
But why would he have been “moved with fear”? Noah was surely not afraid to die! He had “walked with God” (Genesis 6:9) for 600 years (Genesis 5:32; 7:11) before the Flood, and he was certainly not afraid to die and go to meet the Lord now.
Evidently it was for “the saving of his house” that he was afraid, realizing that his own children would soon be engulfed by the awful spirit of unbelief and wickedness that pervaded the antediluvian world, if they could not somehow be delivered from it. So he “prepared an ark,” and his house was saved.
“Come thou and all thy house into the ark,” said the Lord, “for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” (Genesis 7:1)
Although they could easily have refused, they all chose to follow Noah.
In a like manner today, God speaks to the head of each house:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31)
Each parent, along with their children, must one day give a personal accounting to the Holy One of Israel, Jesus Christ; regardless whether they heard the Gospel from another parent, relative, friend or straight from the bible (by the Holy Spirit).
What should the mindset of every Christian parent then be? Joshua made this declaration to all of Israel long ago:
“as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
Related Resources: Institute for Creation Research and Answers in Genesis
April 13, 2009 - 8:15 am
I certainly agree. it is for each father's, brother's, sister's responisibility to reach out to his very own family. as it is said, we are our brother's keepers. It's just sad to note what Jesus had said, a prophet has no honor in his own place. true indeed reaching to our family somewhat is the hardest thing to do as people hesitate knowing that you're reaching the people who know inside and out. Nevertheless, as life changed by the lord even without words spoken is already a testimony and can already changed their lives.
thanks!
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