The Ark of Salvation: How Noah’s Ark Foreshadows Jesus in Genesis
The story of Noah and the Ark paints a beautiful picture of God’s plan to redeem His creation by way of a future Messiah. God always provides a way out.
A Seed of Promise: the First Gospel, Genesis 3:15
Skimming the surface, Genesis 3:15 seems straightforward, but once we dig deeper, we find a Seed of Promise hidden in its depths. Not only is Genesis 3 a picture of the sacrifice Jesus would make 2,000 years later on the cross, but it is the promise of a future Savior: the first Gospel. Genesis 3:15 also is the reason, we are the enemies of Satan and why he will go to any length to destroy us.
Sunk in Sin: Noah, the Flood, and God’s Plan for Salvation
Genesis 6-8 Last time in “A Seed of Promise,” we focused on Genesis 3:15, where amid Adam’s sin, God promised to send a Redeemer, a seed of the woman who would ultimately crush Satan’s head. Genesis 3:15 tells us who God will send to save us, but Genesis 6-8 tells us how God will save us. The Flood of Sin: Why God Judged the World in Noah’s Time Noah and the Ark is one of the most well-known stories of the Old Testament. However, this story often raises doubts about God’s very nature. How could a God who is willing to destroy the entire planet and every living thing on it be just and merciful? To truly understand God’s purpose for the flood, we must understand the world’s condition before the flood. God commanded Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28), and they were obedient. As mankind began to increase on the earth, so did their depravity. In Genesis 1:31, right before God rested from His work, He looked upon His creation and “saw that it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Yet, ten generations later, his view of creation was vastly different: He “saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5). Humankind was sinking in sin, and sin grieves God. It shatters the very image of Him that we were created to reflect. Because of this deluge of sin, God decided “to wipe from the face of the earth, the human race…” (Genesis 6:7), that is, everyone except one man and his family, Noah. With the flood, God was bringing the earth back to its pre-creation state—covered in water—before beginning again with Noah, preserving His promise to humanity.. “In the beginning, the earth was formless and covered in water (Genesis 1:1). Dry land didn’t appear until God gathered the waters into one place (Genesis 1:9). God’s purpose for the flood was not to destroy His creation but to recreate it through Noah. Noah’s Ark and God’s Judgment: Why the Flood Was Necessary Noah found favor with God (Genesis 6:8). Because of this favor, God told Noah that He would provide refuge from the rising waters through an ark that Noah was to build. God gives Noah specific instructions on what this ark should look like (Genesis 6:14-16) and who and what to bring onto it (Genesis 6:13-21). “Noah did everything just as God commanded him” (Genesis 6:22). God was patient with humankind, giving them time to repent. During the years leading up to the flood, Noah warned people of God’s coming judgment (2 Peter 2:5), yet they ignored his message. Whether this period lasted 120 years or less, God was patient, giving ample time for repentance. People ignored Noah’s warning. Distracted by the world, they kept celebrating—eating, drinking, and marrying—until Noah entered the ark (Matthew 24:38). However, Noah did not let the world drown out God’s voice; he was not distracted or deterred by the pull of the culture surrounding him. Instead, he focused on the work God gave him to do. Noah’s Faith: How Trust in God Led to Salvation Hebrews 11:7 tells us that Noah’s faith saved him: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith, he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.” People say, ‘There is no way I would have been good enough to make it on that boat like Noah.’ That is true; no one would have made it on the ark based on their goodness. Even Noah didn’t earn his way on the ark; he found favor with God (Genesis 6:8). His faith was a response to God’s grace, just as our salvation today is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Just like God was the architect of the ark, He is also the architect of our salvation. God began to reveal His plans to mankind in the Garden of Eden when He promised that the Seed of a woman would crush Satan. Then, through Noah, He showed us a picture of salvation. Just as He did for Noah, God provides us with the means to be saved. But like Noah, we must drown out the call of the world and singularly focus on the One who provides our salvation. When we put our faith in God’s word and trust His chosen refuge, as Noah did, we escape God’s just judgment, and we are saved. Next time, in the Ark of Salvation, we will discuss how the ark is a picture or a type of Jesus. For additional resources on Noah and the Flood, visit Answers in Genesis.
5 Compelling Reasons to Study End-Times Prophecy (and Why It Matters Today)
Many believers avoid studying end-times prophecy, thinking it’s too complex, frightening, or irrelevant. But did you know that nearly 27% of the Bible is prophetic? God gave us prophecy to reveal His plans, strengthen our faith, and prepare us for Christ’s return. In this post, we’ll explore five compelling reasons why studying biblical prophecy matters today—helping us recognize the signs of the times, stay anchored in hope, and grow in our understanding of Jesus as King. Don’t miss this powerful study on why prophecy is essential for every believer!
Finding Jesus in Genesis: Sacrifice as a Type of Christ
The first sacrifices are shadows of the reality that God would offer Jesus as an innocent sacrifice to pay the price for all of our sins.
Change
Everything changes…Except for one thing. Let’s start with chatting about things that change and looking at the definition of change – as you know, a definition is my favorite place to dig in. Change a: to make different in some particular b: to make radically different c: to give a different position, course, or direction to When we think of change, what are a few things that naturally come to mind? Weather. It fluctuates based on seasons and sometimes day to day, especially in the state I live. Fashion. The styles we wear change typically based on the decade. Think jelly shoes circa the 1980s, big bangs, and white spray cans of Aqua Net. Music– today, we refer to music from years past as classic rock or old hymnals vs. today’s alternative rock and modern gospel. Then, of course, people. People do, in fact, change or at least have the ability and choice to change. There are physical changes as we age, lose/gain weight, etc., but people also change in character, how we behave, and what we think. I know this to be factual because myself and my husband, as individuals and in our marriage, are living proof of change. If I were to give a highlight reel of our lives, the above definitions, a, b and c, would all apply. Just ask those closest to us. Here’s the truth of the matter though…not all change is wanted or comfortable. Even knowing that God is with us in our circumstances and at times actually instructs us to change doesn’t always take the rawness away when change comes. The world around us changes, and in this world, change comes in both positive and negative ways. As people we learn, and grow, both physically and emotionally, and spiritually. God designed us to learn, it’s why He gave us a Teacher and lessons within the Bible. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, not angels nor rulers, not things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 “…Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.” 2Corinthians 5:17 Personally, I can become too focused on what change is to come. Sometimes I need to pause for just a minute, slow down, and think about the care and thoughtfulness of God. He allows us the opportunity to change, grow, and for us to discover His word and will more intimately. He does this to help us better prepare for the changes that will undoubtedly come in this world. We learned the definition of “change” above, so when we look at the definition “grow,” we learn it means – a : to spring up and develop to maturity b : to be able to grow in some place or situation c : to assume some relation through or as if through a process of natural growth Think about it. God allows us to develop to maturity, to grow in places/situations, and to assume relation through a process (aka change). There is comfort in knowing that regardless of the change that comes, positive or not, He is with us. “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion for you.” Isaiah 54:10 And let us not forget that God is the one thing that does not change no matter what other changes may occur. “For I the Lord, do not change; there you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6 Lord, may my mouth and heart shout, Hallelujah! You are with us no matter what changes come. May we give you our sincerest praise and take comfort in knowing you remain unchanged through it all. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. This week’s playlist: Big Daddy Weave – Overwhelmed [Official Music Video] – YouTube Jeremy Camp – Keep Me In The Moment – YouTube Wait On You | Elevation Worship & Maverick City – YouTube Written June 16, 2022