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I am using readings from the 49 Week Bible Challenge as the basis for these devotions. I encourage you to join me in this discipline. Today’s readings are Luke 17:11-37; Genesis 6; 7; 19.
Genesis 6:11-22
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16 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. 17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. 21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Mention well-known Bible stories, and sooner or later someone will mention Noah and the Ark. I suppose it’s somewhat understandable. We envision cute little animals, bunnies, squirrels, kittens, and puppies scampering up the ramp into the ark. Let’s not forget the giraffes, camels, and elephants. These are the makings of the children’s Bible illustrations. Cute, but maybe a bit misleading.
Having visited the Ark Encounter in Williamson, Kentucky, I’ve learned a bit more about the challenges and necessary accommodations that were necessary to carry off this rescue mission. There had to be means of feeding the animals, disposing of their waste, providing for Noah and his family – eight people in all – including living quarters. The size of the ark impressed me as we saw it in full scale. The number of different animals “according to their kind,” was also explained.
Our visit was truly an ark encounter. It was surely worth the trip. We were edified and inspired – and tired after wandering through the various levels and displays inside the ark replica, and outside on the grounds.
All that said, the encounter of Noah with God and the flood would have been even more impressive. Noah and his family were spared from the destruction of the flood. And although Noah was a righteous man, his behavior following the flood showed that he was flawed – righteous as he may have been.
To some extent the entire Old Testament Scripture is a giant object lesson of what does not work. That’s not all that the Old Testament is by any means. But it does offer some food for thought. In this case, God’s direct intervention and decisive judgment on the wickedness of sinful men makes a point about his holiness and justice.
But the larger purpose of the Old Testament is to point us to Christ. We not only see what doesn’t work, but we are given promises of God’s ultimate deliverance through his Son. And while the ark provided salvation for 8 people, Jesus offers life and salvation to all who believe. And the New Testament speaks of baptism, connecting it with the flood and Noah’s deliverance.
The ark pointed ahead to something far greater: the cross of Christ, where God’s judgment and mercy met in full. In him, we find not only rescue from destruction but the promise of eternal life.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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