07_ The Ark of Noah and the Salvation through Christ
Gen 6:13-14 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
Gen 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
The story of Noah’s Ark in Scripture has long fascinated its hearers. The account begins in a world that had spiraled into chaos. Genesis tells us that the earth was filled with violence and every thought of humanity was continually evil. God was ready to bring complete judgment upon the race of men who had devastated his earthly creation. The judgment that was coming—the global flood—was unlike anything the world had ever seen until then.
However, he first provided a way of righteousness through faith. In His infinite mercy, he told Noah to build the Ark. It was not Noah’s idea or a human invention. The Ark was God’s plan, design and ordinance. Just as God first clothed our sinful parents, Adam and Eve, so he set forth the plan by which those who believed his words could escape the universal judgment.
The Ark was built according to God’s precise measurements and pattern. These were not random but purposeful. Even so, every word of God is tried and true. We build on a sure foundation when we hear and obey his word.
The Ark was covered inside and out with pitch to make it waterproof. The Hebrew word for pitch is closely related to the word for atonement. As the pitch kept out the waters of judgment that ruined the whole earth, Christ our Lord has made atonement by his blood for those who are in him. There is no condemnation now for those who are in Christ. He is the author and the finisher of our faith, and in him we are secure.
Anyone could enter the Ark until the day that it began to rain. Yet only eight escaped the flood because they believed and obeyed God’s call. Noah and his family acted on God’s warning about things not yet seen. They trusted His word over the ridicule of the world around them. Even so, Christ graciously calls all to come to him in repentance and enter freely by their faith into eternal life. Yet only those who believe and obey the call to flee from the wrath to come accept this unmeasurable gift of life in Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Christ reveals God in his fulness so that we may truly worship him, not according to our own interests or outwardly, but in the spirit of heartfelt obedience to his words.
The Ark had no provision for Noah to control its course, whether rudder, sails, or oars. It floated entirely at the mercy of God. On our journey of faith in Christ, we acknowledge that He alone is in control. Our security lies not in our ability to navigate life but in the One who holds our future. This dependence is the most secure place we can be, for the sovereignty of our God guarantees our ultimate good.
The Ark was not particularly luxurious, but it was more than sufficient to take the occupants through more than a year onboard. It was a refuge meant to preserve life through the waters of judgment. Our life in Christ is not a means to gratify our flesh in self-indulgence. It is a life of purpose which transforms us into his likeness. Romans 8:28 reminds us that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose, even when the journey is difficult or uncomfortable.
Noah’s faith impacted his whole household. His obedience led to their salvation, and together, they stepped into a new world after the floodwaters receded. We who are in Christ have the hope of a new world where righteousness dwells. Just as Noah rested in God’s provision, we find rest in the faithfulness of God who set forth Christ as the captain of our salvation.
The door of the Ark was shut by the Lord Himself. Thereafter, no one could open it. There might have been those who admired the Ark or mocked its purpose. All failed to enter and were lost. Instead of mere religion or open mockery, let us wholeheartedly embrace life in Christ, accepting his guidance in every detail.
Today is the day of salvation, the day to respond to God’s call. Today God calls all to forgiveness and eternal life. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. Choose to trust Him, to say, “Have Thine own way, Lord,” and let your heart rejoice in the security of His salvation. There will come a day when the opportunity to enter is lost. Let no one delay to trust in Him, for he is the author of our salvation.
The Ark of Noah is not merely a historical artifact. It reflects who God is and what he has provided for us in Christ Jesus. The Lord Himself compared the days of Noah with the time of His return. Just as people were eating, drinking, marrying, and going about their lives in the time of Noah until the flood came and swept them away, so it will be at the end of the age.
Noah’s faith condemned the unbelief of others and demonstrated the righteousness that comes through faith. Do our lives similarly reflect unwavering trust in God? Are we willing to stand apart from the world, obeying God even when others do not?
Let us examine our own lives. Let us trust the word of God completely. Let us persevere in faith with urgency and purpose. Let us faithfully follow Christ and proclaim His salvation in life and word to the world until he comes again.
The decision to enter the Ark was one of life and death for Noah’s generation. The decision to abide in the teaching of Christ is no less significant for us. Will you choose His way or your own? The invitation is open, but the end is near. God bless you.