Audacity of Israel's faith
How do Noah and Abraham differ in their approach to their God?
In the Torah, we encounter a tapestry of remarkable figures whose lives illuminate the profound dynamics of obedience, faith, and intercession in their relationship with God. These individuals, often descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are celebrated for their unfailing obedience to divine commands, shaping the spiritual legacy of Israel. Nevertheless, among these towering personalities, one man stands apart, uniquely distinguished in the sacred text: Noah, the only individual explicitly called a “righteous man” in the entire Torah (Gen. 6:9). This designation is striking, not only for its singularity but also because Noah was not part of the covenantal lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacobāthe patriarchs chosen to establish Godās holy nation, Israel. While Noahās righteousness is undeniable, it is the descendants of these patriarchs that God designates as a “holy nation” and a “kingdom of priests” (Ex. 19:6). This recognition raises a profound question: Why, despite Noahās unparalleled title of righteousness, was he not included among the founders of Godās chosen people? The answer, I propose, lies in the distinct ways Noah and the patriarchs approached God, particularly in moments of divine judgment, revealing deeper dimensions of faith, intercession, and relational engagement with the divine.
God’s “Yes” man
To explore this, let us first consider Noahās response to Godās pronouncement of judgment. In Genesis 6, God reveals to Noah that a catastrophic flood will destroy the earth due to humanityās pervasive wickedness. God instructs Noah to build an ark to preserve his family and representatives of every animal. Noahās response is immediate and unequivocal: “Noah did everything just as God commanded him” (Gen. 6:22). His obedience is exemplary, marked by silence and compliance. Noah does not question Godās decree, nor does he intercede for the doomed generation. His righteousness manifests in his faithful execution of Godās command, ensuring the survival of his household and the created order. This obedience is profound, reflecting a deep trust in Godās justice and sovereignty. However, Noahās approach is passive in terms of engaging with God beyond the task assigned. He accepts the divine will without challenge, embodying a form of righteousness that prioritizes submission over dialogue.
God’s wrestling friend
In contrast, the only person in the entire Hebrew Bible to be called God’s friend was Abraham (Isa 41:8, 2 Chron 20:7, James 2:23). Yet Abrahamās response to Godās announcement of judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah reveals a strikingly different posture. In Genesis 18:16-33, God informs Abraham of His intent to destroy the cities due to their egregious sin. Rather than agreeing and accepting, Abraham engages God in a bold, almost audacious dialogue. He pleads for mercy on behalf of the cities, hoping to find even a small number of righteous inhabitants. Abrahamās language is daring:
“Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? ā¦ Far be it from you to do such a thing ā¦ Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” (Gen. 18:23-25).
This is not mere compliance but a priestly act of intercession, where Abraham risks divine displeasure to advocate for others. His persistenceābargaining with God to spare the cities for fifty, then forty-five, down to ten righteous peopleādemonstrates a relational intimacy with God, one that dares to wrestle with divine intentions. Ultimately, Abraham accepts Godās will, as Noah did, but only after exhausting every possibility to influence the outcome. This intercessory stance aligns with the priestly role Israel is later called to embody, mediating between God and the nations.
God’s wrestling family
The etymology of the name “Israel,” which originates from Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, further illuminates the contrast between Noah and Abraham. The name Israel (Yisrael) stems from the Hebrew root ש×Ø×Ŗ (sarat), meaning “to wrestle” or “to exercise influence.” This is rooted in Genesis 32:24-30, where Jacob wrestles with a mysterious figure, later identified as divine, through the night. Refusing to let go until he receives a blessing, Jacobās tenacity earns him the name Israel, signifying a struggle with God that shapes his identity and that of his descendants. This wrestling is not rebellion but a profound engagement, a willingness to grapple with the divine will while remaining faithful. Jacobās encounter mirrors Abrahamās intercession, reflecting a pattern among the patriarchs of approaching God with both reverence and boldness. Unlike Noahās silent obedience, Jacobās struggle embodies a dynamic relationship with God, one that involves questioning, persistence, and transformation.
This pattern of wrestling and intercession is not unique to Abraham and Jacob but is echoed in other biblical figures who, like the patriarchs, engage God in ways that deepen their covenantal role. Consider Moses, another pivotal figure in Israelās story, whose interactions with God exemplify this approach. In Exodus 32, after the Israelites sin by worshiping the golden calf, God declares His intent to destroy the people and start anew with Moses. Mosesā response is immediate and courageous: he intercedes, pleading with God to relent.
“Why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? ā¦ Why should the Egyptians say, āIt was with evil intent… Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self, “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.” (Ex. 32:11-13).Ā Ā
Moses even invokes Godās reputation among the nations and His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, urging God to remember His promises. Moses demonstrates his boldness by declaring, “If you will not forgive their sin, please blot me out of the book you have written” (Ex. 32:32), thereby offering his life for the sake of the people. Like Abraham, Moses acts as a mediator, standing in the gap between God and Israel, and his intercession secures divine mercy. This priestly role, rooted in relational intimacy and courage, aligns with Israelās calling as a nation of priests, distinguishing Mosesā approach from Noahās faithful compliance.
Jesusā ministry aligns with Abrahamās trajectory, not Noahās, by embodying bold intercession and relational engagement with God. Like Abraham, who pleaded for Sodom, and Moses, who interceded for Israel, Jesus mediates for humanity, praying for forgiveness (Luke 23:34) and engaging Godās will through intimate dialogue (John 17). Unlike Noahās faithful obedience, Jesusā intercessory priestly role that stands at the core of his mission reflects Abrahamās dynamic faith, wrestling for redemption, fulfilling Israelās calling as a ākingdom of priestsā (Ex. 19:6). All New Covenant believers, rooted in the Jewish Messiah, follow Abrahamās vibrant path, not Noahās silent obedience. Jesus exemplifies this, boldly interceding for humanity, inviting us to engage God with courage, and mediating His boundless love and justice to the world. Today, we are called to imitate Jesus, embracing a dynamic faith that wrestles, loves fiercely, and trusts deeply, shaping history as a kingdom of priests radiating Godās transformative grace.
Conclusion
Noahās singular righteousness stands as a beacon of obedience, preserving humanity through unwavering compliance with Godās command. Nevertheless, the patriarchsāAbraham, Jacob, and Mosesāembody a dynamic faith that intertwines submission with bold intercession, wrestling with God to shape His redemptive purposes. Their courage to dialogue, plead, and struggle reflects a profound trust in Godās justice and mercy, forging Israel as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. This legacy challenges us to embrace a faith that not only obeys but engages, dares to intercede, and trusts in Godās relational heart. As heirs of this calling, we are invited to stand in the gap, mediating Godās love and justice to a world in need. Let us, like the patriarchs, wrestle boldly, love fiercely, and trust deeply, shaping history through a faith that dares to partner with the Divine.
Comments (70)
This truly was an informative article. Thank you, Dr. Eli.
Blessings, Della!
Love love love this insight on our brother Noah. Rarely if not never has Noah been credited for his obedience in such context.
This and your books have been a teaching tool for me.
As you Dr. Eli say, ā letās continue to learn together.ā
Shalom
Amen!
Thank you Dr. Eli for this exposition. It is now crystal clear that although God would work out His counsel regardless of our faith response, He'd have us look beyond self and be more outreaching.
Blessings!
thank you Dr. Eli ! So motivating for a more trusting and daring intercession , with G.od's help and wisdom.
Never realized the difference beween Noah and the patriarchs. Toda rabaaaa : ) shalom and rich blessings
Bevakasha! Blessings and much peace!
Whao!!! I never gave a thought to what Noah did compared to what the Patriarchs did. The same message, but different approaches. In Ezekiel 18:32, GOD said He is not interested in the death of a sinner, but for him/her to repent and leave. We worship an Awesome GOD. Thanks Eli.
Indeed!
Dr. Eli, thanks for the insights that you share from the Old Testament. I am reading it through the link in the mail. Thanking God for the Jewish people through whom God sent us the Savior. Blessings on you and God's chosen people.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Unless you forget the book of 1 Chronicles, you cannot say that Noah was not of the same lineage as Abraham, et al.
Jim, my dear, of course Abraham came from Noah and his family. There were none left after the flood. My point was that Noah was not part of ISRAEL. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob became its founders. Noah was not, in spite of the fact that he ALONE was called righteous in the entire Torah!
2Peter 2:5 Noah, a preacher of righteousness,... Noah spent 120 years interceding with the people that didn't listen.
yes.
Beautiful article Dr. Eli. Thanks for doing this, indeed inspired! Gloria a Dios!!
Shalom Shalom
Blessings and peace!
Seems you miss an important point in your opening without Noah there was no Abraham etc
Dale, I didn't :-).