noah & the ark
The story of Noah & the Ark is one of the most well-known stories in the bible. I vividly remember hearing the story told to me in kids' church. It’s one of those stories you hear a lot if you grow up in the church. But now as an adult, it takes on a whole new meaning.
The story of Noah starts during a time where humanity had moved far from God. Genesis 6:5 paints this grim picture- “the Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” God, grieving the state of His creation, decided to cleanse the earth with a flood. Yet, amidst all the darkness in the world, Noah “found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8).
The bible describes Noah as a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, who “walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9). God chose Noah to be the instrument of preservation and renewal. He instructed Noah to build an ark—a massive vessel that would safeguard his family and two of every living creature during the flood. Seriously, this ark was huge!!
Because of the magnitude of the ark, building it was no small task. God provided detailed instructions, specifying its dimensions, materials, and design. The ark was to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high, made of cypress wood and sealed with pitch. This immense undertaking required faith, perseverance, and obedience. And a lot of it!
Noah faced many challenges– ridicule from neighbors, the sheer labor of construction, and the daunting nature of the task. Yet, Noah obeyed without question, illustrating unwavering trust in God’s plan. “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household” (Hebrews 11:7).
When the ark was finished, Noah, his family, and the animals entered it. God shut the door, and the rains began. For forty days and forty nights, the earth was submerged under water. All life outside the ark gone, but Noah and those with him were safe, protected by God’s providence. Noah sent out a dove to find dry land. When the dove came back with an olive branch in its beak, Noah knew that “the waters had subsided from earth.”
After the waters had gone, Noah’s family emerged to a cleansed earth. Now get this, after spending a long time on a boat with a bunch of animals and his family, the first thing Noah did was build an altar to the Lord. Noah built the altar to offer sacrifices of gratitude. In response, God promised to never again destroy the earth with a flood. “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:13).
The story of Noah and the Ark is more than a kid’s story, it is a profound illustration of faith, judgment, and redemption. Noah remained obedient, even in the face of doubt and ridicule, even when it went beyond human understanding. The flood reminds us of God’s authority over creation and His strong dislike for sin. Yet, it also reveals His profound mercy in providing a way of salvation. The rainbow signifies God’s faithfulness and commitment to you and I, reminding us that His promises endure.
In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, the story of Noah encourages us to live righteously and walk faithfully with God. It challenges us to be vessels of hope and agents of renewal in our communities. Just as Noah’s ark provided refuge, we are called to be places of shelter and love for those around us. The rainbow illustrates a symbol of hope, assuring us of God’s presence and steadfast love. Reminding us that God’s promises are unchanging!!! TYJ!!!
