“Probably Noah did not find favor in the eyes of men. But he found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and this was honor and comfort enough.”
Matthew Henry
Genesis 6:8 states: “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” Favor means “a friendly regard shown toward another especially by a superior.” Other synonyms include: “approval, partiality, and gracious kindness.” The next verse explains why Noah had favor with God. “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:22 provides another clue as to the reason behind God’s favor toward Noah: “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.”
Noah possessed God’s favor because he was righteous; he “acted in accordance with what is just, honorable, and upright.” Noah was blameless; he was “without fault or error.” He wasn’t sinless. Jesus was the only one who could claim that. Noah kept his integrity in spite of living in a wicked and corrupt world. As commentator Matthew Henry points out: “He was perfect, not with a sinless perfection, but a perfection of sincerity.”
Noah had God’s approval because he walked with God. Noah didn’t run ahead of God, doing his own thing, nor did he lag behind God, dragging his feet in rebellion. Instead, he walked side-by-side, next to God. Noah and God were partners. I’ve asked the Lord to keep me on a very short leash, so to speak, so I’m always by His side. Noah obeyed God and did everything God asked him to do. Matthew Henry writes: “He lived a life of communion with God; it was his constant care to conform himself to the will of God, to please Him, and to approve himself to Him.”
We still find favor with God through being righteous, blameless, walking with Him, and by being obedient to His commands. Fortunately, we also experience God’s esteem through His grace, based on what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross. My prayer for us today is Psalm 90:17a: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us.”
“God looks down upon those with an eye of favor who sincerely look up to Him with an eye of faith.”
Matthew Henry
Relevant Reflections:
What steps can you take right now to receive God’s favor?
Which of Noah’s four characteristics do you want to contend for, to become more like?
How does God’s grace enable you to find favor with God?
Comments