I was reading about Noah last night. What an honor to be recorded in the Bible as a person who found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Gen. 6:8) and to be called 'a just man and perfect in his generations' (v.9). 'Noah walked with God.' (v.9) Talk about having the Lord brag on ya. I'm telling ya, this man knew how to have a relationship with God.
We've all heard and read the story of Noah building the ark and the flood that God sent, all followed by a beautiful rainbow and the promise. '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 every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.' (Genesis 8:21-22)
While reading and studying last night it came to my attention (or maybe conviction would be a better word) the commitment that Noah made to God. Building this ark was no walk in the park. He couldn't just go to the hardware store to buy the wood and other supplies needed to take on this task that NO MAN had ever done before. Trees had to be cut, boards made and whatever hardware was used had to be made as well. The ark was the length of one and a half football fields. It was the height of a four story building. 'The ark was exactly six times longer than it was wide- the same ratio used by modern shipbuilders. Scholars have estimated that almost 45,000 animals could have fit into the ark.' (Life Application Study Bible) Did you catch that note? 'The SAME ratio used by modern shipbuilders.' I find that AMAZING!! All of this preparation for a flood that would come to a people who had never even heard of the word rain. Noah had specific instructions from God on how the ark was to be built and he followed them out day after day, month after month, year after year.... obedience in a long-term commitment to this project. It didn't matter how much people laughed or talked, he just kept working and walking in obedience.
My Bible noted in the comments that 'God's response to the severe situation (sin) was a 120 year long last chance, during which he had Noah build a graphic illustration of the message of his life.' 'It is interesting that the length of Noah's obedience was greater that the life span of people today.'(Life Application Study Bible) Some debate the 120 years being the amount of time God gave Adam to repent and not the space of time before the flood .... either way you choose to see it- What an awesome example God's GREAT mercy! What a great example from Noah of OBEDIENCE and COMMITMENT.
