The story of Noah's Ark is one of the most iconic and well-known tales in the Bible. It tells the story of a man named Noah who, in the midst of a world filled with wickedness and evil, was deemed righteous in the eyes of God. God instructed Noah to build an ark, gather two of every kind of animal, and his family in order to survive a catastrophic flood that would wipe out all of humanity.
The story of Noah's Ark is found in the Book of Genesis, in chapters 6 through 9. This account is one of the earliest recorded stories in the Bible and has been passed down through generations for thousands of years. The flood described in the story of Noah's Ark is believed to have occurred around 2,300 BC.
The Construction of Noah's Ark
Noah was instructed by God to build an ark, which would serve as a refuge for him, his family, and the animals during the flood. According to the Bible, God gave Noah specific instructions on the size, shape, and materials he should use to construct the ark. In Genesis 6:14-16, God says to Noah:
"Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks."
A cubit is believed to be the length of a man's forearm, which is approximately 18 inches. This means that the ark was approximately 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. The Bible also states that Noah was to cover the inside and outside of the ark with pitch, which is a tar-like substance, in order to make it watertight.
Gathering the Animals
God instructed Noah to gather two of every kind of animal, one male and one female, and bring them onto the ark. This was to ensure the survival of the animals during the flood. According to Genesis 7:2-3:
"Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth."
Noah was also instructed to gather food and provisions for himself, his family, and the animals. This was to ensure that they would have enough to sustain themselves during the flood.
The Flood
After Noah and his family had gathered all the animals and provisions, the flood came and lasted for 40 days and 40 nights. According to Genesis 7:17-20:
"The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered."
After the flood had subsided, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. Noah then sent out a dove to see if the waters had receded. When the dove returned with an olive leaf in its beak, Noah knew that the waters had receded and that the land was once again dry.
In conclusion, the story of Noah's Ark as told in the Bible is a fascinating and important tale of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention. The story reminds us of the importance of following God's will, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Through the story of Noah and his family, we see the power of faith in action. Despite the ridicule and disbelief of those around him, Noah followed God's commandments and built the ark, ultimately saving his family and a multitude of animals from the flood.
The story of Noah's Ark has been retold countless times throughout history, and it continues to capture the imagination of people around the world. Whether we interpret the story as a literal account of historical events or as a metaphorical tale of faith and redemption, it remains a powerful symbol of God's love and grace.
As we reflect on the story of Noah's Ark, let us be inspired by the faith and courage of Noah and his family. May we all have the strength to follow God's will in our own lives, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or difficult. And may we never forget the lesson that Noah's Ark teaches us: that with faith, anything is possible.
