In chapter 7, we saw Noah’s family enter into the Ark, and the earth was destroyed by floodwaters. As mentioned previously story of Noah is one of the most attacked accounts in scripture. Science claims the earth is millions of years old, but the flood happened only thousands of years ago. What about the fossil and carbon dating? What about dinosaurs? According to science, they roamed the earth millions of years ago, so how did Noah fit such large animals in Ark? How did he fit so many animals and provisions for himself and animals in the Ark? Let us look at the size of the Ark. Most of us think of the Ark as a large ship, but the Ark was HUGE. It had more than enough room to accommodate all the animals.The total available floor space on the Ark would have been over 100,000 square feet that would be equal to the capacity of 569 modern railroad stock cars.Letās assume 50,000 animals, far more animals than required, were on board of the ark, and these need not have been the largest or even adult specimen. Remember there are really only a few very large animals, such as the dinosaurs or the elephant, and these could be represented by young ones. Assuming the average animal to be about the size of a sheep and using a railroad car for comparison, we note that the average double-deck stock car can accommodate 240 sheep. Thus, three trains hauling 69 cars each would have ample space to carry the 50,000 animals, filling only 37% of the ark. This would leave an additional 361 cars or enough to make 5 trains of 72 cars each to carry all of the food and baggage plus Noahās family of eight people. The ark had plenty of space.
To refresh your memory, Ark is picture of Jesus and symbolizes how we were going to be saved. Ark was shaped like a coffin, Empty tomb is our salvation. Ark had only one door on the side, Jesus is the only way to salvation and his side was pierced for our salvation. Bride (church) is based on the blood of Christ, which was shed from his side. Noah entered into the ark, likewise, you need to accept Christ and then and only then can you be saved from destruction.
As we read chapter 8, we see the earth in similar conditions as Genesis 1. Earth is full of water, and once again, God uses wind to pass over the earth and the water subsided. It took 150 days for rains to decrease (over 6 months) Just imagine how much water was on the planet.
Verse 4 is essential as for the second time,in scripture word REST is used. The first time it was used in Gen 2:2 after the creation and now again it is used in the context that work is FINISHED. This would be the same words Jesus would use from the cross “It is Finished” (John 19:30). The date given is very significant as ,well. “And on the seventeenth day of the seventh month”, This is the exact date Jesus rose from the dead. If you read Exodus chapter 12, you will see how the date works out. How amazing is our God? Do not doubt the word of God. Bible was not written by men, but rather a Holy Spirit inspired the words and men wrote them down. These dates are not mere coincidence but the plan of God in action.
The new world Noah walked into was drastically changed. Oceans were much more extensive since now they contain all the water from above as well as from great deep. land area was much less do accommodate the larger oceans. The perfect atmosphere was gone as the protective canopy was no longer there. Winds, storms, rains, snow was now possible. There was no protection from radiation ETC.
Verse 16: Go forth of the Ark … In chapter 7, God had said to Noah “come thou into the Ark” Now “Go, Forth ..” Jesus says Come all who are weary and heavy-laden BUT, once you have your salvation, you are to go forth and share the Gospel. He tells disciple in Matthew 28: 19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father a,nd of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 2,0 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.ā Verse 16 carries the message of evangelism, Once we are saved we are to go forth and multiply the kingdom of God.
Verse 20:20 And Noah built an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Look what Noah does as soon as he comes off the ark. They have been in the Ark for over a year, he does not know where he is, He has no idea what future hold but the first thing he decides to do is worship the Lord. He built an altar and offers a sacrifice to the Lord, And it pleases God so much, he says in verse 21, I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake. He does not remove the curse given in Gen 3:17, but rather promising, there will never again be a worldwide judgment on man’s dominion. God would not curse the ground again with an additional curse to the one pronounced in Eden. The only thing that pleases God is our praise and worship. Look at what Jesus said to Satan when he was being tempted in the wilderness,” Jesus said to him, āAway from me, Satan! For it is written: āWorship the Lord your God, and serve him only.ā ( Matthew 4:10) A lot of us miss the worship part and are too busy serving. Jesus put worship before serving. Worship is the only way to please God. Noah’s worship pleases God so much so, look at the promise he made in verse 21
And the Lord smelled a sweet savor; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.
Now last part of the verse is the same words as Gen 6: 5 and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Before, it led him to destroy the earth and now, after the flood God says he will not smite every living thing because of man’s evil thought. Romans 3:23 says All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God Because of man helpless to save himself, our every thought is sinful, we need the grace of God. We need Jesus, and only through his blood, we can be saved. Noah was the only man alive after the flood. Before the flood, God said he was the single righteous man, yet after the flood, he was not good enough as his thoughts were sinful. Please do not think in Chapter 6, God misread the situation and in Now chapter 8, he changed his mind. He extended his grace. Nothing can save us but the grace of God.
What a great lesson to be learned in Chapter 8. There is the message of salvation, evangelism & worship. You are to come into Jesus be cleansed of your sins, once we are saved, we are to evangelize, share the gospel with others, and be empowered by worship. Do not forget to spend time with the Lord in prayer, meditating on scripture, and praising him. I hope this study is a blessing to you. Amen
only savior jesus 