Noah's Ark Series - Part 1 (Genesis 6)

​Hi friends,

     Do you ever think about the people of biblical times and wonder what it would be like to be in their shoes?  I think this gives us a better understanding of the Holy Bible and the messages God gives us.  So, I thought for this month, I would look at Noah and his family to try to get a better understanding of how they may have felt or how I would feel in their situation. 

     In Genesis 6:13, God tells Noah that he is going to flood the land and kill all the people in it because of all the violence.  At this point, we don’t know much about Noah other than that he is old, he has three sons, and that he has found favor with God because he is a righteous man.  I wonder how Noah felt getting this message from God.  How do you think Noah felt?  How would you feel if you lived in Old Testament times and all of a sudden God tells you that he is going to destroy the earth and all people in it?  

     In 2 Peter 2:5 we find out that Noah is a preacher of righteousness.  I am guessing that Noah probably knew that the world around him was violent and probably didn’t like it.  He probably felt a struggle in trying to reach the people around him and get them to see God’s ways.  He may have been distressed about the lack of loyalty to God from the people around him.  Maybe he was worried for the safety of his family with the violence all around him. Noah may even have been praying that God would touch his neighbors, family, and friends so that they would better heed God’s Word.

     So, did he have a congregation?  Did he have relatives?  Did he have neighbors?  Was he worried that God was going to kill all those around him?  Did Noah think that killing everyone was kind of drastic?  Did he worry about being the only family alive? Did he worry about being lonely with only having his family with whom to talk and interact?  What are your thoughts?

     In Genesis 6:14-16, God tells Noah to build an ark and tells him with what specifications it should be built.  Now, we aren’t sure what kind of tools or skills Noah may have had in order to build an ark.  If Noah was a full-time preacher with a congregation, most of his time may have been reading the Word of God, working up a sermon, or preaching.  He may have had other ministerial duties as well.  He may not have had all the latest carpentry tools or the latest skills in order to build an ark. 
 
     I wonder what Noah thought when God said build an ark.  Nowhere in the Bible does it say that Noah talked back or questioned God. However, I wonder what he thought. Was he thinking, “An ark?  You want me to build an ark?  You know I am a preacher and not a carpenter, right?  I have never in my life built an ark and you want me to build one now, so you can flood the earth?  Okay, if you say so.”  Maybe Noah’s thoughts went something like that or maybe, Noah knew that God knows his every thought too.

     In Genesis 6:17, God tells Noah again that He is going to flood the earth and kill everyone.  But, there is good news for Noah.  In Genesis 6:18, God tells Noah that He will establish a covenant with him and Noah gets to board the ark with his wife, his sons, and his sons’ wives.  They will be saved from the death by flood.  I wonder if Noah felt thankful that his family would be saved when all of his neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and kinfolk would perish.

     Do you think that Noah wondered why the ark needed to be so big just for him and his family?  If he did, his answer came in Genesis 6:19-21.  God told Noah to bring two of each sort of animal and to bring all kinds of food on the ark with him.  I wonder what Noah thought about that.  I wonder if I would have thought something like, “Can we leave behind the snakes? You know what they did to Adam and Eve.  And, can we leave out the ticks, spiders, mosquitos, mice, rats, and bats too?” What about you?  What would you think if God asked you to bring one of each animal with you on the ark?

     Scripture doesn’t tell us what Noah thought.  However, in Genesis 6:22, it does tell us that Noah did just as God told him to do.  And, I am pretty thankful of that.  We might not be here, if Noah had refused.

     Why do I think it is important to consider the thoughts, feelings, struggles, and actions of someone who lived thousands of years ago?  I think it is important, because it is noted in the Bible.  God wouldn’t have placed such words in the Bible, if He didn’t mean for us to consider their meaning and impact.  Also, even today, God calls us to do some things that may seem to be out of the blue, out of the ordinary, and out of our reach. If we consider Noah’s thoughts, feelings, and situation, we may not feel too bad, when God asks us to do things that may seem extraordinary.
 
Heavenly Father,
     Thank you for being our Heavenly Father.  We may not understand why you ask us to do things that seem beyond our skills, experience, and comfort zone.  We may not understand why you call us to do things that seem extraordinary and even absurd.  Yet, I thank you and praise you for giving us the story of Noah about which to read, ponder, and pray.  Thank you for calling us to do extraordinary things outside our comfort zone as well. Help us to follow Noah’s example and do all that you ask us to do.  I ask you this through your Son, Jesus.  Amen.
 
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Reflective questions for Genesis 6:
*What does Genesis 6 mean to me?
*What would I think if God asks me to build an ark, especially if ark building
 wasn’t my vocation or hobby?
*How would I feel hearing that God was going to kill everyone, except 
 for me and my close family members?
*How would I feel if God wanted me to bring every kind of animal with me?
*How do I answer when God asks me to do things that may seem strange
 and out of my comfort zone?
*What can I learn from Genesis 6?
*What can I learn from considering Noah’s thoughts and feelings?
 
Now, it is your turn.
     Tell me what you think.  How would you feel if you and your immediate family were suppose to build and ark and be the only ones to survive a world flood?  Please, leave a comment or feel free to contact me.  Also, if you find value in the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations, please share it with your friends and family. 
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