Gen 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
There are only a few men in Scripture that are referred to as “just.” The idea in the word expresses the thought of being lawful or righteous. Noah’s “justness” came as a result of his finding grace in the eyes of the Lord, and through his faith. Noah was a man of faith, as declared in Hebrews 11:7; “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.” It is said of Noah’s descendant, Abraham, that was declared righteous because of his faith. “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:3) In the day when every imagination of the hearts of men were only on sin continually, Noah was a man who believed God, and believed in God. He was part of the faithful remnant would mean that there was a line all the way from Seth to Noah that had not been corrupted through the union of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men.” Like all humanity, Noah and all his “generations” were sinners, separated from God because of sin.
Notice the phrase, “...Noah...was perfect in his generations....” We noted earlier the corruption of mankind through the union of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men.” (Look back to pages 6 and 7) This union had produced very undesirable results and great wickedness. Regardless of how one interprets the “sons of God,” the end result was devastating for humanity. Unthinkable corruption was the end result of this union, which ultimately brought on the cataclysmic judgment of the Flood. Through Noah’s “finding grace in the eyes of the Lord,” and being brought into a living and loving relationship with Almighty God through that grace, Noah had been kept from that awful corruption that had so defiled the human family. Thus it could be said that “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations.” If this be the correct interpretation of the phrase, “perfect in his generations,” that would mean that there was a line all the way from Seth to Noah that had not been corrupted through the union of the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men.” LIke all humanity, Noah and all his “generations” were sinners, separated from God because of sin. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Thank God for the “grace of God that bringeth salvation.” (Titus 2:11) The saved are not so because of their own moral goodness, they are saved because of God’s grace. John Newton was right when he called it “Amazing Grace.”
Pastor Steve Smith