The tale of Noah is widely recognized. In this narrative, a flood is foretold, prompting God to instruct Noah to construct a boat. Noah diligently gathers pairs of land animals, and then, as prophesied, rain pours for 40 days and nights.
However, the biblical account provides a deeper perspective. Noah is depicted as a devout individual who had a profound love for God. He dedicated a significant portion of his life, spanning between 55 to 75 years, to the construction of the ark. This commitment may seem unconventional, especially considering the absence of rain in that era. In a time when water was primarily obtained through dew rather than rainfall, Noah's endeavor of constructing an ark for over half a century is remarkable. The ark itself differed from conventional boats; instead of being streamlined for navigation, it was likely rectangular in shape, designed solely to float and withstand the floodwaters. Its construction involved meticulous sealing with tar, both inside and out, to ensure its buoyancy and integrity amidst the deluge.2,
God directed the animals to the Ark, not in a haphazard manner, but with divine precision. Each species was represented by a pair, ensuring the preservation of biodiversity. From the canine to the feline, primate to pachyderm, two of each kind found refuge within the vessel. Remeber, not every animal, just the kind of animal ( example: Cat family might have been a type of cat which has the same genes both as modern day cats and tigers and lions). The structure of the ark included three distinct layers, effectively segregating the animals from the human occupants. Some scholars even draw parallels between the design of the ark and the sacred symbolism found in the Ark of the Covenant and the heavenly city of New Jerusalem mentioned in the book of Revelation. However, delving into these intricate connections warrants exploration on another occasion.
There was only one door to the Ark, a significant detail in the biblical narrative. This solitary entrance was sealed shut by God, and for seven days afterward, there was a period of anticipation and waiting.
On the seventh day, the long-awaited rain began. The downpour persisted for an astonishing 40 days and 40 nights, resulting in the flooding of the entire earth.
The floodwaters remained for a total of 150 days. During this time, the waters gradually receded over the course of the subsequent 150 days.
Towards the end of this period, after approximately 40 weeks minus 3 days, the tops of the mountains emerged from the water, indicating the gradual subsiding of the flood.
In the first week after the waters began to recede, Noah sent out a raven, followed by a dove. In the subsequent weeks, another dove was released, and after waiting for seven more days, the dove did not return.
Only after this prolonged period, approximately two months later, did Noah finally emerge from the Ark, marking the end of the cataclysmic flood and the beginning of a new era for humanity.
This whole event took place over about one year and 20 days approximately.
Important Lessons:
A: The Door Closed by God - the One and Only
In the account of Noah's Ark, we witness the profound significance of God closing the door of the ark. This act symbolizes the decisive separation between safety and destruction. Genesis 7:16 states, "And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the Lord shut him in." This closure signifies God's exclusive role as the arbiter of salvation. Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus declares Himself as the only door to salvation: "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved" (John 10:9). Just as God closed the door of the ark, so too does Jesus offer the exclusive pathway to eternal life.
B: Provision for the Few
Despite the potential capacity of the ark, divine provision was made only for Noah, his family, and a select group of animals. Genesis 7:23 affirms, "Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark." This selective preservation underscores the theme of divine election and the concept of a remnant chosen by God. In the New Testament, we find a similar principle echoed in Jesus' teachings, emphasizing the narrowness of the path to salvation and the importance of faithfulness amidst a world engulfed in destruction (Matthew 7:13-14;Matthew 22:14; Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8, 14:35)
C: Divine Guidance Without Human Means
The ark's journey, devoid of conventional means of navigation such as sails, mast, or rudder, serves as a testament to God's guidance. Genesis 8:1 states, "But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark." This divine intervention highlights God's sovereignty over nature and His unwavering commitment to His chosen ones. In the New Testament, we see parallels in Jesus' calming of the storm (Mark 4:35-41), demonstrating His authority over the forces of nature and His ability to guide His followers through life's tempests.
D: Jesus, the Only Door to Salvation
The narrative of Noah's Ark ultimately points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate door to salvation. Just as God closed the door of the ark, sealing Noah and his family inside for protection, so too does Jesus invite all to enter through Him for eternal safety. John 10:7-9 records Jesus' words, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep... If anyone enters by me, he will be saved." Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers become part of His flock, secure in His care and guidance. This truth is further emphasized in the New Testament, where baptism serves as a symbolic act of identification with Christ's death and resurrection, signifying our participation in His redemptive work (Romans 6:3-4). As Noah built the Ark, so Christ builds His church. Christ said, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
Conclusion:
When the floodwaters receded, the world was reborn, akin to a new creation. Despite this renewal, Noah, like all humans, remained susceptible to sin even after the ark grounded on solid ground. Nevertheless, Noah remained connected to the promise given by the Lord to Adam—that the seed of the woman would ultimately triumph over the serpent (Genesis 3:15).
Unlike Noah, whose obedience wavered, Jesus obeyed perfectly, thus acquiring the authority to judge sin and conquer Satan (Revelation 1:18). His obedience ushered in a new era, surpassing the renewal witnessed by Noah after the flood and even the pristine state of the world before sin tainted it through Adam's disobedience.
In Jesus Christ, humanity finds redemption and restoration beyond what Noah experienced, as His sacrifice on the cross inaugurates a new creation, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).
As we reflect on the timeless lessons embedded within the story of Noah's Ark, may we recognize the profound parallels with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Just as Noah and his family found refuge in the ark amidst the floodwaters, so too do believers find security and salvation in Jesus Christ, the exclusive door to eternal life. Let us embrace the truth that salvation is not of our own effort but a manifestation of God's grace extended to us through Jesus Christ. The Bible reminds us this verse, Hebrews 3:7-8, “Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.” This should also be our response. This is an urgent call to our hearts. If this is where you find yourself, don't be like the people out of the boat. The flood now not of water but of fire is at hand. The Lord is a righteous and holy judge and he is the same as in time of Noah even today.
In Matthew 24:37-39, Jesus said, “As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away.”
In Hebrews 11:7, the writer of Hebrews affirmed Noah’s place in what often is called Faith’s Hall of Fame: “By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built and ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
Peter reminds us of Noah again in 2 Peter 2:5-10. He stated that if God didn’t spare the world in Noah’s day when He sent a devastating flood, or spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in Lot’s day—but still rescued both Noah and Lot from His wrath toward the unrighteous—“then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, especially those who follow the polluting desires of the flesh and despise authority” (quoted portion from vv. 9-10). and in 2 Peter 3:3-8, Peter referred to the flood yet again in a discussion of modern-day scoffers who deny the Lord ever will return. Jesus’ having not appeared isn’t evidence He never will return, but evidence that God is patient with the unrighteous, wanting them to repent and become the full beneficiaries of His grace (see v. 9).
Here is the ark that is Christ, all His words are true. He says, come, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).
Sources:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/better-version-noahs-ark/
https://www.rlhymersjr.com/Online_Sermons/2011/061911PM_NoahTypeOfChrist.html
https://answersingenesis.org/the-flood/thinking-outside-the-box/
https://www.bible.ca/manuscripts/Book-of-Genesis-7-Flood-Chronology-10-17-27-day-Bible-Manuscript-Textual-Variants-Old-Testament-Tanakh-Septuagint-LXX-Masoretic-Text-MT-scribal-gloss-copying-error.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHUZvkZ6IRs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_oZTU3b-tE
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NOTE: Some assistance has been used to form sentences by CHATGPT and the image by DALLE
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