THE ARK

The book of Genesis gives the historical account of a worldwide flood. Humanity had become so corrupt that it grieved the heart of God, so much so that He would eliminate them from the earth. The rains would come, He promised, destroying all land creatures and all mankind.

Yet there was one man among the masses who honoured Him, and the Lord would spare that man and his family. In His mercy, God provided an escape. He directed the man to build it. It was there for anyone who would turn from evil and trust in Him.

An ark.

God had specific instructions concerning the ark, for both its design and its contents. He waited a long time—possibly 75 years—for Noah to build it and make it ready, all the while extending grace to everyone, opportunity for them to repent of their wickedness.
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Out of all the earth (population probably 4–10 billion), only eight people were saved from the crushing waters: the man, his wife, his three sons, and his sons' wives. They were the only ones who acknowledged their plight, believed God’s promise, and accepted His invitation into the safety of the ark. The rest were swept away.

The ark took the pounding of God’s judgment.
The ark was the family's only refuge in the fierce storm.
The ark provided their every need: food, water, warmth, rest.
The ark was secure. Through the raging tempest, it held them.
The ark was their salvation; it brought them through unharmed.

There's a striking similarity between those people of the pre-flood world and us today, their plight and ours. God is still merciful and longsuffering; but as with them, He's promised us a judgment to come. Count on it.

For us, too, He's provided an escape—only one. A refuge. Protection. Provision. Security. Salvation. Offered to all who trust and repent.

Our Ark is Jesus.

Copyright © 2022 by Sandra Grace

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​Genesis 6: 5–8 & 7:1. “The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land ... for I am sorry that I have made them.’ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
“Then the LORD said to Noah, ‘Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.’” (NASB)

Genesis 7:17–23. “Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth. The water prevailed and increased greatly upon the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. The water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered. The water prevailed fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered. All flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind; of all that was on the dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died ... and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark.” (NASB)

1 Peter 3:20. “... when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.” (ESV)

Romans 10:13. “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (ESV)

Luke 13:5. “... I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (ESV)

Acts 3:19. “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” (ESV)

Romans 5:6, 8 & 9. “For while we were still weak ... Christ died for the ungodly ... but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” (ESV)

References:
Calculations of pre-flood world population
Pre-flood conditions and estimated world population  
Years to build the ark

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