Righteous Responses to God (Genesis 8:15-22)

Please read Genesis 8:15-22.

Noah is earlier described as righteous, blameless, and walking with God. He is not perfect, as we will see in the next chapter, but his responses immediately after the flood are perfect and serve as a great example for us. Noah has two responses in this passage which we should imitate: (1) he obeyed God; (2) he worshipped God. 

When God calls Noah to go out of the ark, Noah goes out of the ark. This is such a simple fact that we often skim over it, but the scripture takes the time to note that Noah did everything that God commanded him. In Genesis 6, when God gave Noah instructions to build the ark, we are told simply that “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him” (6:22). But here, we are given exact parallels between God’s commands and Noah’s response.

Go back and read 8:16, and then read 8:18. Notice how the Scripture is almost identical?

Now read 8:17 followed by 8:19. This one is a little different because God includes his purpose in releasing the animals, but Noah’s response is still identical to God’s command.

This should not be just skimmed over! We must ask ourselves: “how often is my response identical to God’s command?” When God calls us to do something, do we immediate do exactly what He says? I sure don’t. I’m often slow to obey. Even when I do obey, I usually try to make it a little easier on myself, and need to have God teach me a lesson in obedience before I’m willing to do exactly what He calls me to do, exactly when He calls me to do it.

God is God and I am not. I have been made righteous through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and now I need to live righteously. I am no longer the lord of my own life—I am God’s ambassador on this earth. He is the Master; I am the slave. He is the Father; I am the child. He is the High Priest; I am part of His holy priesthood. My only response to His command is to do what He says, when He says to do it, just like Noah.

As great of an example as Noah’s first response is, his second is equally exemplary—he worships God. Do you remember the old Disney movie, Snow White? Do you remember the seven dwarfs singing while they are digging in the mines? They are underground in dark caves, filled with who knows what kind of animals, vermin, spiders, and more unknown menaces. They can’t see the sunlight. They can’t breath fresh air. They are constantly surrounded by their brothers flatulence and body odor. What a miserable job! But they don’t see it that way—they are too focused on the jewels that they are digging up. In fact, they are so focused on their “prize” that they can sing and enjoy themselves while they do this miserable work.

Sometimes we feel like obeying God is miserable work. We want to do what we want to do, and not what God wants. But, like those seven dwarves, we need to keep our eyes on the prize. God is so much greater than anything that we could enjoy on this earth. He is so worthy of our obedience, and worthy of our praise. If we would worship Him while we obey, we will be filled with incredible joy that can sustain us in whatever He calls us to do.

How does God react when we worship Him like this? Moses tells us that Noah’s offering pleased God and caused Him to say that He will never again flood the earth. God doesn’t tell Noah this until the next chapter, but we are fortunate enough to see the direct results from Noah’s sacrifice.

Isn’t it amazing to think that I could please my heavenly Father? God needs nothing—He is God! There is nothing that I could possibly give Him that He hasn’t already given to me. But I have an opportunity to give Him joy! I can do this through obedience and worship. So, let’s worship while we work!