Genesis Chapter 7 begins the classic tale of Noah’s great adventure on the ark with his family and all the animals. The Chapter begins, 7:1 “Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.” I’ve read many commentaries and sermons on this passage and often much energy is placed on the scientific, environmental and historical evidence for the validity of a worldwide flood. I’ve found I’m not able to answer every question associated with the flood and the current affairs of science. I’m a rather simple minded guy who takes things at face value. The New Testament writers took it as Moses recorded it and it seems Jesus did too. I believe it, but I cannot offer any facts the provide certainty.
But there are some things you can be certain of in the Story. While God is not concerned to give us detailed info on geography or meteorology or paleontology, He is concerned with showing us what kind of man or woman God saves. Noah was saved by faith according to Hebrews 11:6-7. It says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household.” Noah became “certain” of what he could not see (Hebrews 11:1b) and that was salvation for himself and his family. It’s simple, Noah believed God! He didn’t demand scientific evidence, historical, geographical, meteorological, paleontological, or any other kind of evidence. He simply believed God.
While a wooden ark delivered Noah from physical death, a wooden cross delivers us from spiritual death. Just as Noah obeyed God by climbing onto a boat to save a few, Jesus obeyed his Father by climbing onto a cross to save many. The Cross is our Ark. God warns us of the judgment we are to face and calls us all into its protective shadow. God promises to save the men and women who take Him at His word. Like after the flood in Noah’s day, Creation will be renewed and those who took refuge in the ultimate ark—Jesus Christ—will embark into eternity with forgiveness, resurrection, and a new earth immune to God’s curse.