The Ark (Genesis 6:9-22)

This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. Make a roof for it and finish the ark to within 18 inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. I am going to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your son’s wives with you. You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.” Noah did everything just as God commanded him. ???

1.????? Noah had a strong faith that enabled him to live in an obedient relationship with God. ?As your faith in Jesus has grown, how has this enabled you to know and obey God’s commands? ?

2.????? God decided to flood the earth because the people and even the earth was thoroughly corrupted. Violence increased with corruption. Why does violence accompany growing evil? How do you think the present state of the world compares with that of Noah’s time?

3.????? God gave Noah detailed instructions on the construction of the ark. However, he was not to complete the top of it. What do you think the reason was for this? ???

4.????? God chose two of every kind of animal and directed them to go to the ark. This and the selection of Noah and his family are examples of how God takes the initiative in the salvation of his creation.

5.????? The world was cleansed, and the land was changed by the flood. However, the earth was not destroyed. It was reformed but not annihilated. The Bible teaches that the world will again become thoroughly wicked, and it will be judged by fire. This judgment is also one of purification and reformation to a holy state suitable for God to dwell with humans. (2 Pet 3:3-7; Rev 21:1-8)?