Events as Yet Unseen

 

Sean H | February 9, 2023

 

 

Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark on its side. -Genesis 6:16 

 

This is one of the commandments given to Noah by God for building the ark. There is nothing remarkable about the directions that were given. To protect from the rain, you would need a roof and for Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives to enter the ark along with the animals, you would need a door.  

 

In Chapter 7, we read that they did enter and in vs. 16, the Lord shut them in. Throughout the Bible a door is used to represent aspects of salvation. 1 Peter 3:20 it tells us that eight persons were brought safely through water. It also tells us that God’s patience waited until the ark was finished. For decades Noah built and prepared, and God was patient. However, there came a time for people to make their decisions. Noah is commended for his faith in constructing the ark for events yet unseen (Hebrews 11:7). There was one final step for Noah and his family. They needed to get in the ark. If Noah had followed every direction that was given to him by God in building the ark, but decided they were not going to use it, they would not have been saved. God told them in Gen. 7:1 to go into the ark. This was the final step. This is also the final chance for any others as well. The punishment, in the form of the flood, was coming quick. There is not a second chance here. When the Lord shut them in, all but eight were shut out. God was patient during the building of the ark, but there is a time when His judgment cannot wait any longer.  

 

Noah was a righteous and obedient man. His family was saved because of his reverent fear. He listened to the warnings of God. He did all that the Lord had commanded him (Gen. 7:5). He used what was provided to him by God. He went into the ark. The door was shut and 8 were brought safely through the water. The door was shut, and the world was condemned. The door was not opened until it was safe again for Noah, his family, and the animals. In Sodom and Gibeah (Gen. 19 and Judges 19), evil was on one side of the door, and it became a warning to all the people. When a bow is seen in the clouds it is sign of the covenant between God and all flesh. Between heaven and earth.  

 

Eight were saved because of what at first appears to be an unremarkable detail, is a remarkable shadow of God’s plan for us all. God is patient but there is a determined time when our decisions must be made. We must act. We must get in the ark. May God see that we are righteous when it comes time for him to shut the door.