Noah Chronicles Part I: Building The Ark

Noah built the Ark.  In fact, Noah's Ark and the global flood depicts the most catastrophic event in world history.  One must remember that Noah building the Ark represented the end of the World as they knew it.  It was the initiation of an apocalypse and a reset for humanity.  Moreover, building of the Ark, the design of the Ark, the reason for the Ark, and the passengers in the Ark were all God’s idea.  Noah was simply a servant who accepted the call to carry out the mission.  Such is also the case with us today.  God uses people to carry out his work on earth.  Our role is to simply obey the will of God and remain faithful to the task at hand as was the case with Noah.

When examining Noah’s effort in building the Ark, the first things that comes to mind is the significant challenge that Noah faced with such a great undertaking.  In fact, in building the Ark, gathering the animals, and preparing for the flood, Noah was called to do something that had never been done before in the world.  There is not even a Biblical account of rain on the earth up until the time of the flood.   Yet Noah overcame this challenge with the help of God.  Even as we face challenges today, we must realize that with God all things are possible to them that believe. (Mark 9:23)  God can help you overcome the most daunting challenges in life regardless of whether you have faced them in times past.  We serve a God who can do anything but fail. 
A Man of Patience

God called Noah to build the Ark when he was in his early 500s.  Yet God sent the flood to destroy the world when Noah was 600 years old.  This means Noah had somewhere between 75 to 100 years to build the Ark, gather the animals and wait on the promise of God for the flood.  (See Genesis 5:32, 7:6)  Noah’s patience in waiting for the promise of rain is a great attribute he possessed and subsequently an important lesson that we learn from Noah's life.  Some things are simply accomplished over time.  Noah's ability to manage the mundane of doing the same job for several decades while maintaining patience for the promise of rain is a great example of his endurance.  Boredom, apathy, and impatience can get the best of us when we don’t see immediate results.  But Noah held strong and believed God.   Even now the Bible encourages us to "be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord for your labor is not in vain in the Lord”  (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Measurements of the Ark are Sound according to Scientific Research

It’s also interesting to observe that God gave Noah the measurements of the Ark which are listed as follows: According to the Bible, the length of the Ark was 300 cubits long which is the size of one and half football fields or 150 yards/450 feet long and the width of the Ark was  50 cubits which is 25 yards/75 feet. The height of the Ark was 30 cubits equal to 45 feet which is around the size of a four story office building. (Genesis 6:15)

Not that we need any evidence to validate what we believe to be true according to the Word of God.  However, when put to a test of sea worthiness by graduate physics students at the University of Leicester, their research confirmed that the Ark would not capsize according to the measurements provided in scripture.  (Smithsonian.com, Helen Thompson, 04/2014)  Their research further confirmed that the Ark would have been buoyant enough fit for purpose (Independent, Adam Withnall, 04/2014). Even outside of the Bible’s account referenced in Genesis, historians have identified over 270 cultures that have a story in the ancient world about a great flood that covered the world involving a man name Noah.  In fact, as recent as 2000, scientists discovered evidence of a great flood in ancient times which is validated by communities buried under water in the Black Sea (The Guardian , Tim Radford, Science Editor, 09/2000).

Indeed one of the biggest challenges Noah endured was having to survive and thrive in the midst of a wicked and corrupt world.  The Bible says that the hearts of man was only on evil continually.  And the whole earth had become corrupt.  No doubt Noah had to watch his back, guard his property, protect his family and not allow the wickedness of the world to influence his lifestyle all while carrying out the will of God for his life in building the Ark.  It is likely that he was mocked and talked about for his efforts in building the Ark.   Even now, the Bible says in Romans 12:2 “and be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  

Noah’s ability to keep himself righteous and not conform to the ways of his environment positioned him to access the favor of God. Noah had to lead and take care of his family in the midst of all his work demands.  Sometimes when doing the Lord’s work, one can easily overlook family responsibilities.  In fact, family is often the first to suffer when it comes to work and ministry demands.  But we cannot overlook or make light of the fact that Noah got his family on the Boat.   So even in the midst of a wicked and corrupt society, Noah and his wife managed to not only train and teach their sons in the ways of God, but to also shield them from the negative and satanic influences of the outward community.   No doubt Noah taught them to love and obey God and to live righteous. 

Finally, what sets Noah apart in this story is his obedience to God.  By adhering to God’s command for how things were to be done in terms of the measurements, rooms, supplies/material, and gathering of the animals, Noah demonstrates an act of faith that will cause him to be remembered throughout humanity.   Very often we fail in life, because we simply refuse to do the little things that God requires of us.  Noah did not make any adjustments or changes based on what God asked. He was careful to do exactly what God required him to do.  Deuteronomy 5:33 says "Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days  in the land that you will possess."   And in John 14:14 Jesus said "If you love me keep my commandments."

Finally, in the midst of all of his challenges and distractions, it's important to note that Noah was laser focused to do exactly what God called him to do.  Because when it's all said and done, one has to be able to accomplish what has been assigned, implement the project at hand, and finish the task that has been given.  When the rubber meets the road, one has to be able to perform and complete what God has committed to one's hands. This is one of the greatest lessons we learn from Noah.  In conclusion,  because of Noah's faith and obedience to God, He was able to accomplished a historic task.  Noah built the Ark.