Noah and the Flood
This article provides excerpts from the book “Journey Through the Bible and Your Story”
which will be available on Amazon books later in the summer.
The Bible story of Noah is filled with faith, perseverance, and promise. Noah was a man who found great favor in God's eyes. The entire population of mankind during the 1656 years since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden had become evil and wicked and God decided to bring a global flood to the earth to destroy everyone but Noah and his family.
Noah is warned of the flood and given directions for building the ark. (Genesis 6:12-21) God told Noah his purpose to destroy the wicked world by water. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, Psalm 25:14. “The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” It is with all believers, enabling them to understand and apply the declarations and warnings of the written word.
Genesis 6:22 Noah's faith triumphed over all corrupt reasonings. God directed Noah to construct an ark. This ark was like the hulk of a ship fitted to float upon the waters. It was very large, half the size of St. Paul's cathedral, and would hold more than eighteen of the largest ships now used. God could have secured Noah without putting him to any care, or pains, or trouble; but employed him in making that which was to be the means to preserve him, for the trial of his faith and obedience. Both the providence of God and the grace of God protect and bless the obedient and diligent. God gave Noah particular orders on how to make the ark, which could not, therefore but be well fitted for the purpose. God promised Noah that he and his family should be kept alive in the ark.
To construct so large an ark, such a one as he never saw, and to provide food for the living creatures, would require from him a great deal of care, and labor, and expense. His neighbors would laugh at him. But all such objections, Noah, by faith, got over; his obedience was ready and resolute. Having begun to build, he did not leave off till he had finished: so, did he, and so we must do. He feared the deluge and therefore prepared the ark. Noah likely took between 50 to 75 years to build the ark; some say up to 120 years.
And in the warning given to Noah, there is a more solemn warning given to us, to flee from the wrath to come, which will sweep the world of unbelievers into the pit of destruction. Christ, the true Noah, who shall deliver all believers safely, has by His sufferings already prepared the ark, and kindly invites us by faith to enter in. While the day of his patience continues, let us hear and obey his voice.
Praise God for those who are part of Christ's family, and safe with him; they may look forward without dismay and rejoice that they shall triumph eternally with Christ.
