THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
The lineage of the righteous Noah was of great significance to us yesterday. We explored the remarkable nature of genealogy and observed that a just person finds honor not in the status of their forebears, but in their own virtuous conduct. This is underscored by the esteemed declaration in the sacred text: ‘Noah,’ the Scripture states, ‘was a just and blameless man in his generation; Noah walked before God’ (Gen. 6:9). From these succinct phrases, we gleaned the essence of yesterday’s teaching. The divine scriptures possess the unique quality of revealing profound insights within a few words, bestowing immeasurable value upon those willing to delve deeply into their meanings.
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Thus, let us not skim through the passages of the holy scriptures casually; rather, whether we are dealing with a list of names or recounting events, let us seek the hidden riches they contain. This is precisely why Christ instructed us to ‘Search the Scriptures’ (John 5:39); the richness of understanding does not always present itself on the surface, but demands a thorough examination, ensuring that nothing of value remains concealed.
If the mere mention of mankind's lineage provided us such fruitful discussion yesterday, how much more insight can we gain by approaching Scripture with focused and mindful intent? Our Lord, in His mercy, grants understanding to those who show earnestness in exploring His holy words. He does not permit our earnest efforts to go unrewarded, but rather fills our minds with clarity, illuminating our thoughts and imparting the true doctrine to our souls through His infinite wisdom. For this reason, He encourages us with His praise for those who seek righteousness, declaring, ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled’ (Matthew 5:6). Observe how the Master illustrates this point: He not only incites our zeal pleasantly but also teaches His listeners the diligence required in pursuing spiritual truths through the analogy of hunger and thirst. Just as those who feel physical hunger urgently seek food and those parched rush to quench their thirst, so too should we eagerly pursue spiritual teaching. Such seekers are not only deemed worthy to be filled, but they receive fulfillment for their desires; they are considered ‘satiated’—their souls' longings fulfilled.
Let us, therefore, approach this compassionate and generous Lord, striving to secure His favor so that He may, in His humanity, illuminate our understanding of the power within the divine Scriptures. May we receive spiritual teachings with the same fervor as those who are hungry and thirsty. Perhaps, despite our unworthiness, the good and wise Lord will grant us the words we need to speak for His glory and our edification. With our hopes anchored in His grace, turning to Him who ‘opens the eyes of the blind’ (Psalm 145:8) and makes ‘the tongue of the dumb’ clear (Isaiah 35:6), let us now reflect on the recent reading from Scripture, awaiting the insights He will provide. We ask that you concentrate your thoughts and clear your mind of worldly distractions, so that we may sow the spiritual seeds into rich and fertile ground, prepared to receive them.
‘Behold,’ it is stated, ‘the life of Noah: Noah was a just man, and blameless in his generation; Noah walked before God.’ This concluded yesterday’s lesson, prompting us to explore what comes next. ‘Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.’ The divine Scripture provides us not only the timeline but also the number of the righteous man's sons in a significant manner, aiming to illustrate, albeit indirectly, the remarkable magnitude of his virtue. It previously mentioned, ‘Noah was five hundred years old,’ and then states, ‘and begat three sons’ (Genesis 5:32), highlighting the remarkable self-restraint he maintained amidst a society steeped in immorality and vice, where every age was lured towards evil. We are reminded by the holy writings that ‘the Lord saw that the corruption of men on earth was great, and that all the thoughts of their hearts were evil’ from their youth (Gen. 6:5), indicating that even the young sought to surpass their elders in wickedness, and that the older generation was no less corrupt, with even the youngest among them drawn towards vice.
Understanding this, we can appreciate how, despite the widespread depravity and decadence, Noah stood out as a righteous man, practicing chastity well into his five hundredth year. The scripture highlights, ‘Noah was five hundred years old, and begat three sons.’ See, dear friends, the extraordinary abstinence of this just man! Let us not overlook this but reflect on the context of that time and the widespread wickedness that gripped humanity due to its great carelessness. Consider the courage and God-loving will it took for Noah to restrain his carnal desires for so long, standing contrary to the immorality surrounding him and abstaining not just from lawless acts but also from lawful, innocent relations.
‘And Noah gave birth,’ it is recorded, ‘to three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. But the earth became corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with wickedness.’ It seems to me that this righteous man observed his abstinence in bearing offspring, responding to the call of God. As the rampant wickedness threatened to engulf the world in complete destruction, God, in His mercy, chose to preserve this righteous man as a remnant, a seed for future generations following the judgment of the corrupt. Thus, having become a father to these three sons after five hundred years, he highlights his obedience to God's grace revealed to humanity. For affirmation of this interpretation, take heed of the clarity within the sacred text: after stating that the righteous man ‘begat three sons,’ it immediately follows, ‘but the earth became corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with wickedness.’