“Come into the Ark"

Press, 10 April 1978, Page 13

“Come into the Ark"

Noah was regarded as a righteous man who is described as blameless or faultless among his contemporaries. This pattern of living issued out of his intimate relationship with God characterised by the Genesis Author as "walking with God" and by the author of Hebrews as "heir of righteousness". In this manner of life Noah stood in direct contrast to the pattern of living common to his generation, which is described as so corrupt and continually wicked that God was grieved that He had created men. Noah was the only man who found favour with God. Noah was favoured by God in being warned about the

impending judgment upon the corrupt human race. So God instructed Noah to build what could be termed "The Ark of Grace". For the purpose of preserving a remnant of the human race and two of every living creature, male and female. The Ark was built of Gopher wood. The specifications allowing for a cubit to be 25in. The Ark was about 625 ft long, 104 ft wide and 62’Aft high. Up to 1850 A.D. there was no ship in the history of the world as large as the Ark. The capacity of the Ark was equivalent in tonnage to more than 600 freight cars, which form a train about 4 miles long, capable of

handling over 90,000,0001b5. The Ark was easily big enough for all it was to hold. The fish and other sea creatures stayed in the sea, insects were small as well as snakes and lizards. The average size of most mammals was no larger than a dog. The birds could have easily lodged in the ceilings or been hung up in cages. An Ox is allowed up to 20 sq. ft on a modern vessel. This would have allowed ample room for all including food for a year and 17 days voyage. Recent Archaeological findings at Nippur disclose that the Ark had a sewage system unsurpassed by that of any modern city and that there were openings for light and ventilation in each story. Warning of the flood was given 120 years before-

hand, with directions to construct the Ark. This should be a sombre warning of God's long-suffering and final judgment for us today. Christ used the Ark and flood as examples of coming judg ment and salvation of a remnant. "But as the day's of Noah were, so shall alsjo the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah enteied into the Ark, and knew not until the

flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be". (Math 24: 37 39> Thus did Noah, according to ail tha» God commanded him, so did he. And the lord said unto Noah, "Come thou and all thy house into the Ark, for you alone aie righteous before me '. Yes, God sees both the wickedness (6:5) and righteousness (7:1) of man.