By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. - Hebrews 11:7
When we wrapped up last week’s sermon, all hope seemed lost. Mankind had spiralled downward into grave and wanton sin. The whole earth had gone astray! God planned to blot humanity out, but patiently decided to wait for 120 years before enacting judgment. This morning’s message takes place during this grace period, the century plus just before the flood, and focuses on a man named Noah. We will be reading from Genesis 6:8-10, 13-22.
I. NOAH FINDS FAVOR (v8-10)
The earth had been completely overtaken by sin and corruption. Every thought and intention of man was continuously set on evil… with 1 exception. Out of the millions of people alive at that time, only Noah found favor with the LORD. He alone was a righteous and blameless man who walked with God. Noah became the father of 3 sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Take a moment to let this sink in… Noah was the only person on the entire earth who was approved by and acceptable to God. That not only speaks to how vile mankind had become, but also to the incredible character of Noah. In the face of overwhelming violence and corruption, Noah stood alone. He was righteous and blameless in both word and deed. When literally no one else walked with the LORD, he did.
II. GOD’S COMMAND TO BUILD (v13-17)
God spoke directly to Noah. He warned him that He was about to destroy the earth including all flesh. The LORD commanded Noah to build an ark and gave him instructions for doing so. God said that He was going to flood the earth and that every living creature (man, land animals, and birds) would die.
God instructed Noah to build the ark out of gopher wood. Scholars remain uncertain as to what type of timber this is, but possibilities include cypress, cedar, and pine. It was to have several rooms and be covered both inside and outside with pitch. Pitch was a sticky, tar-like substance used to waterproof the boat. The Hebrew word kaphar, which translates as pitch, is used elsewhere in Scripture to mean covering. Some have compared the pitch on Noah’s ark to the blood of Christ, which covers us from sin and protects us from God’s righteous judgment.
The ark was to be 300 cubits long, which is approximately 450 feet. This is the length of 1½ football fields, not including the endzones. It was to be 50 cubits wide, which is approximately 75 feet. This is about the length of a tennis court. It was to stand 30 cubits high, roughly 45 feet. This is about the height of a 4-story building. Based on these dimensions, Noah’s ark was among the largest wooden vessels ever made.
Additionally, the ark was to have a window 1 cubit (about 18 inches) from the top, which many interpret to mean a continuous opening or skylight around the vessel that would allow sunlight and fresh air to enter. There was to be a door on the side of the ark. It was to have 3 levels, a lower, middle, and upper deck. Other than these general details, no other instructions are given about the ark in the Bible. This leaves a lot to the imagination, and many different diagrams and designs have been suggested.
Unlike most ships, Noah’s ark was not built to sail or navigate the seas. As such, it had no oars, sails, rudder, or any such mechanism to propel or direct it. Rather, it simply floated on the waters, drifting wherever the winds and waves carried it. Its sole purpose was to preserve the life of those inside it during the flood. It was a safe place, much like the LORD is a refuge to those who trust in Him (Psalm 32:7).
III. GOD’S COMMAND TO LOAD (v18-22)
God established a covenant with Noah and his sons, including Noah’s wife and his sons’ wives. He directed Noah to bring 2 of every kind of land animal and bird upon the ark, a male and a female, in order to keep them alive. Furthermore, Noah was to gather and load the ark with a sufficient food supply for himself, his family, and all the animals aboard. Therefore, in obedience to the LORD’s command, Noah began working.
Notice that God’s warning to and covenant with Noah and his sons was made after they were already married. Noah had 3 boys when he was 500 years old, just 100 years before the flood took place. It likely took them at least 25 years or more to grow up and wed. Thus, we can reasonably conclude that Noah had, at most, 75 years to prepare the ark. It seems probable that his sons helped him, and perhaps others as well.
Experts have estimated that there were approximately 1,400 different kinds of animals on the ark. Those who adhere to the young earth theory, which we discussed earlier in this series, believe this number included dinosaurs, which became extinct after the flood. Noah was not instructed to gather the animals himself (which would have taken a long time), but rather God supernaturally directed them to come. However, Noah was responsible for gathering food and storing it on the ark (enough to last just over a year’s time).
Other than building the ark, which itself was a monumental task, and loading the ark with all of its necessary supplies and provisions, what else did Noah do in the years leading up to the flood? The Bible does not explicitly say that Noah preached to or warned the people about the coming disaster. However, the New Testament refers to him as a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). This description indicates that he did preach, either in word, deed, or both, to the corrupt people around him, mostly certainly calling them to repentance. Unfortunately, it appears that no one heeded his warnings (Luke 17:27).
CONCLUSION
The Ark Encounter theme park in Williamstown, Kentucky features a lifesize replica of Noah’s Ark built to the exact specifications given in the Bible. It opened to the public in 2016. It is operated and managed by a Christian ministry called Answers in Genesis, which also operates the Creation Museum (about a 45 minute drive away). I have never been to the Ark Encounter in-person, but would like to go someday. That said, I have watched a few virtual tours of it online and would encourage you to do so if you’re interested.
Noah was a remarkable man. While everyone else continually and brazenly practiced debauchery, drunkenness, violence, and all sorts of immorality, Noah faithfully built an ark in accordance with God’s command. To those around him, he must have seemed peculiar and strange. What was this weirdo doing? I suspect he may have been a laughingstock to the people in his community. Needless to say, he probably didn't have many, if any, friends. Nevertheless, Noah remained wholly committed to the LORD.
How does our faith compare with Noah’s? If you or I were placed in a similar situation, would we have the strength to stand for God, to live righteously, and to shun wickedness… even if it meant doing so all alone? Does this fallen world see us differently, as strangers or pilgrims on the earth (1 Peter 2:11), or do we blend in just fine? Beloved, I want to stick out like a sore thumb. I want to stand boldly and unapologetically for Christ. I want to be more like Noah. How about you?
When we wrapped up last week’s sermon, all hope seemed lost. Mankind had spiralled downward into grave and wanton sin. The whole earth had gone astray! God planned to blot humanity out, but patiently decided to wait for 120 years before enacting judgment. This morning’s message takes place during this grace period, the century plus just before the flood, and focuses on a man named Noah. We will be reading from Genesis 6:8-10, 13-22.
I. NOAH FINDS FAVOR (v8-10)
The earth had been completely overtaken by sin and corruption. Every thought and intention of man was continuously set on evil… with 1 exception. Out of the millions of people alive at that time, only Noah found favor with the LORD. He alone was a righteous and blameless man who walked with God. Noah became the father of 3 sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Take a moment to let this sink in… Noah was the only person on the entire earth who was approved by and acceptable to God. That not only speaks to how vile mankind had become, but also to the incredible character of Noah. In the face of overwhelming violence and corruption, Noah stood alone. He was righteous and blameless in both word and deed. When literally no one else walked with the LORD, he did.
II. GOD’S COMMAND TO BUILD (v13-17)
God spoke directly to Noah. He warned him that He was about to destroy the earth including all flesh. The LORD commanded Noah to build an ark and gave him instructions for doing so. God said that He was going to flood the earth and that every living creature (man, land animals, and birds) would die.
God instructed Noah to build the ark out of gopher wood. Scholars remain uncertain as to what type of timber this is, but possibilities include cypress, cedar, and pine. It was to have several rooms and be covered both inside and outside with pitch. Pitch was a sticky, tar-like substance used to waterproof the boat. The Hebrew word kaphar, which translates as pitch, is used elsewhere in Scripture to mean covering. Some have compared the pitch on Noah’s ark to the blood of Christ, which covers us from sin and protects us from God’s righteous judgment.
The ark was to be 300 cubits long, which is approximately 450 feet. This is the length of 1½ football fields, not including the endzones. It was to be 50 cubits wide, which is approximately 75 feet. This is about the length of a tennis court. It was to stand 30 cubits high, roughly 45 feet. This is about the height of a 4-story building. Based on these dimensions, Noah’s ark was among the largest wooden vessels ever made.
Additionally, the ark was to have a window 1 cubit (about 18 inches) from the top, which many interpret to mean a continuous opening or skylight around the vessel that would allow sunlight and fresh air to enter. There was to be a door on the side of the ark. It was to have 3 levels, a lower, middle, and upper deck. Other than these general details, no other instructions are given about the ark in the Bible. This leaves a lot to the imagination, and many different diagrams and designs have been suggested.
Unlike most ships, Noah’s ark was not built to sail or navigate the seas. As such, it had no oars, sails, rudder, or any such mechanism to propel or direct it. Rather, it simply floated on the waters, drifting wherever the winds and waves carried it. Its sole purpose was to preserve the life of those inside it during the flood. It was a safe place, much like the LORD is a refuge to those who trust in Him (Psalm 32:7).
III. GOD’S COMMAND TO LOAD (v18-22)
God established a covenant with Noah and his sons, including Noah’s wife and his sons’ wives. He directed Noah to bring 2 of every kind of land animal and bird upon the ark, a male and a female, in order to keep them alive. Furthermore, Noah was to gather and load the ark with a sufficient food supply for himself, his family, and all the animals aboard. Therefore, in obedience to the LORD’s command, Noah began working.
Notice that God’s warning to and covenant with Noah and his sons was made after they were already married. Noah had 3 boys when he was 500 years old, just 100 years before the flood took place. It likely took them at least 25 years or more to grow up and wed. Thus, we can reasonably conclude that Noah had, at most, 75 years to prepare the ark. It seems probable that his sons helped him, and perhaps others as well.
Experts have estimated that there were approximately 1,400 different kinds of animals on the ark. Those who adhere to the young earth theory, which we discussed earlier in this series, believe this number included dinosaurs, which became extinct after the flood. Noah was not instructed to gather the animals himself (which would have taken a long time), but rather God supernaturally directed them to come. However, Noah was responsible for gathering food and storing it on the ark (enough to last just over a year’s time).
Other than building the ark, which itself was a monumental task, and loading the ark with all of its necessary supplies and provisions, what else did Noah do in the years leading up to the flood? The Bible does not explicitly say that Noah preached to or warned the people about the coming disaster. However, the New Testament refers to him as a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). This description indicates that he did preach, either in word, deed, or both, to the corrupt people around him, mostly certainly calling them to repentance. Unfortunately, it appears that no one heeded his warnings (Luke 17:27).
CONCLUSION
The Ark Encounter theme park in Williamstown, Kentucky features a lifesize replica of Noah’s Ark built to the exact specifications given in the Bible. It opened to the public in 2016. It is operated and managed by a Christian ministry called Answers in Genesis, which also operates the Creation Museum (about a 45 minute drive away). I have never been to the Ark Encounter in-person, but would like to go someday. That said, I have watched a few virtual tours of it online and would encourage you to do so if you’re interested.
Noah was a remarkable man. While everyone else continually and brazenly practiced debauchery, drunkenness, violence, and all sorts of immorality, Noah faithfully built an ark in accordance with God’s command. To those around him, he must have seemed peculiar and strange. What was this weirdo doing? I suspect he may have been a laughingstock to the people in his community. Needless to say, he probably didn't have many, if any, friends. Nevertheless, Noah remained wholly committed to the LORD.
How does our faith compare with Noah’s? If you or I were placed in a similar situation, would we have the strength to stand for God, to live righteously, and to shun wickedness… even if it meant doing so all alone? Does this fallen world see us differently, as strangers or pilgrims on the earth (1 Peter 2:11), or do we blend in just fine? Beloved, I want to stick out like a sore thumb. I want to stand boldly and unapologetically for Christ. I want to be more like Noah. How about you?