Thank you for the question on the character of the Patriarchs, “Is it possible that biblically Noah may have been the most faithful servant of God but Abraham the most trusting righteous of God of the early patriarchs?”
The observation that you made is an excellent one on the character between Noah and Abraham. The Scriptures records that Noah was faithful in building the Ark for up to 100 years (Gen. 5:12, 7:11) while Abraham continued to trust God for 25 years (Gen. 12:6, 21:5).
Genesis 6:22 and 7:9 emphasize this, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him” Noah was faithful to God. Was he the most faithful servant of God in his godly lineage? The Scriptures do not state the detailed characters of his ancestors from Enoch through Methuselah to Lamech, his father, but with what is revealed regarding Noah, this appears to be true. Noah wasn’t perfect in his character, but he was faithful in building the Ark as God commanded him.
Genesis 12:1–3 and 22:9 expresses the promise given by God and Abraham trust in God even after his son, Isaac was born. God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. It is likely that at this point Isaac was between 8–10 years old or so since he carried the firewood for the offering. Thus for 35 years of his life Abraham was tested in his faith. Abraham had his ups and downs as he asked his wife to say that she is his sister and even heeded Sarah suggested to marry her concubine Hagar to start a family through her. Abraham did live a life of faith in believing God’s promise and it was counted as righteousness to God. “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). Abram asked for a confirmation of God’s promised to him and God assured him with a covenant promise of the land and his descendants (Gen. 15:7–21). Abraham had to wait on God’s timing in granting him a son.
The biblical narratives are lessons for believers in God. How faithful are to God and will our faith sustain us in the “valleys” of our lives? What will God say about our character and what are other people saying about our character? I trust that we will be good testimonies of our Christian faith.
SUMMARY: Noah is commended for his faithfulness and Abraham is commended for his faith.
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