Noah's Ark Series - Part 2 (Genesis 7)

​Hi friends,

     How are you?  Last week, I started delving into the possible thoughts and feelings of Noah regarding his circumstances in Genesis 6.  This week, I will continue with his possible thoughts and feelings regarding his circumstances in Genesis 7.

     In Genesis 6, Noah was mainly getting the instructions to build the ark as well as building the ark.  In Genesis 7, Noah is mainly loading everyone into the ark and riding in the ark during the flood. 
 
     Can you imagine being in Noah’s shoes?  Have you ever thought about being in Noah’s predicament?  I have tried to imagine myself in his circumstances some, but I don’t know that I can really get the full feeling or picture of it.

     I wonder if at this point, Noah was hoping that everything was just a dream.  I mean it is one thing to say that one will do something kind of scary, different, and outside of one’s comfort zone when it is a ways in the future.  However, as the time for the actual event gets closer, sometimes worry sets in and one’s feeling may change.  One may get nervous or have second thoughts.  

     During the pandemic, there have been times when it has been mandated that people should stay home, except for essential outings.  During the flood, Noah was cooped up in an ark with seven other people and a bunch of animals for days, weeks, and even months.  I doubt there was much room to “get away” and have a personal moment in the ark.  

     What can you imagine about being in an ark with seven other people and a bunch of animals? Can you imagine the room (or lack of), the smell, or the noise?  I wonder what Noah and his family were thinking and feeling.  Do you?

     I wonder if the animals were in pens, cages, or stalls.  Were they “free” in each deck of the ark?  Did some animals chase others, as they were accustomed to doing? Or, did God supernaturally quiet the animals to make it a more pleasant voyage for all involved?

     God had told Noah that He would make it rain for forty days and forty nights in Genesis 7:4, so Noah probably realized he would be in the ark for a while.  I wonder what one does in an ark for over forty days.  Do you? (It isn’t like Noah had video games and TV back in the day.)  Maybe the animals, meaningful conversation with family, and prayer kept Noah and his family busy.  

     I wonder if they thought about being the only people alive.  I wonder if they thought about where the rains were taking them. I wonder what it was like to look out the ark window and see the water rising and then one day, only seeing water. I wonder how they felt.  I wonder if they talked about this “adventure” they were experiencing and what their life might be like in the future.  What do you think?
 
Heavenly Father,
     Thank you for the story of Noah, so that we may be motivated to be righteous in your sight as well.  Thank you for the earth and all you have given us.  Help us to trust you, as Noah did, and to do your will.  Help us to learn from Noah’s experience all that you want us to learn.  I ask you this through your Son, Jesus.  Amen.
 
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Reflective questions for Genesis 7 (KJV):
*What does Genesis 7 mean to me?
*How would I feel about being cooped up in an ark with seven other family 
 members and a bunch of animals for so long?
*How would I feel knowing that my family and I were the only people alive?
*How would I feel being tossed about with the water during the flood in
 such a tiny ark?
*What can I learn from Genesis 7?  

Now, it is your turn.
     How do you think you would feel if you were in Noah's shoes?  What do you think he was thinking and feeling?  I look forward to knowing your thoughts.  Also, if you are finding value with what I write, please share with your friends and family and feel free to signing up to receive faith content in your inbox.  Thank you.

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