Divinely Instructed - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

By faith, Noah, oracularly warned concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house.
Hebrews 11:7

Divinely Instructed
God spoke to the patriarchs "in many parts and in many ways" (Heb. 1:1). The communications from God to these Old Testament saints were fragmentary, and came through dreams, visions, or angelic visitations. God communicated to the "fathers" through these partial and various means because the Scriptures were not yet completed, neither had the Son of God yet come (Heb. 1:2).

Noah could not turn to the Bible to get guidance from God as it did not yet exist. Moses, who wrote the first five books of the Bible, would not come on the scene for another 1000 years. But we read that Noah was "oracularly warned" about the coming flood. This wonderful expression means a "divine instruction," or "divine warning." God directly communicated to Noah through some means, perhaps even through an audible voice (Gen. 6:13). He received a divine instruction to prepare an ark "for the saving of his house."

All of this is significant for us who are living in days much like it was in the days of Noah (Lk. 17:26). It is a challenge to bring up a family in such a time as this, but we can find help. Sometimes, perplexing questions arise for parents in which it is difficult to find a "chapter and verse." But Mom and Dad need not despair. If they go to the Lord together in prayer, "divine instruction" will come. He may show you a portion of the Word you had not considered before, or perhaps a principle from the Word will be illuminated in a way that directly gives guidance for the issue at hand. Perhaps a circumstance or even "a soft gentle voice" will give direction (1 Ki. 19:12). His desire is to communicate to us "for the saving" of our families in the midst of a perverse and corrupt world.

Brian Reynolds