Genesis 6:9-22 Make yourself an ark

Genesis 6:9-22 Make yourself an ark

1.What did God decide to do? (6:7) What did he share with Noah? (13) What specific instructions did he give him? (14–16) Why? (17) What were God’s covenant promise and commands to Noah? (18–21) How did God value him and his family in his plan to save the whole world?

2.Read verse 22. How did Noah carry out this overwhelming task? Think about the meaning of “everything” and “just as.” Why is it important to obey in God’s way, not in our own way? How could Noah obey like this? (Heb11:7) How did his holy fear of God make him a spiritual influence to his family? (6:18; 7:13; 9:8–11)

3.How might people have responded to Noah’s building the ark? (2Pe3:3–4) How could he overcome the unbelieving and ungodly atmosphere around him? (Ps42:3b,5,10–11) How should we follow in Noah’s footsteps in our time? (2Pe3:7–11; Mk13:13) What does it mean to build an ark today? (Mt28:19–20a; Ro1:5)

Make yourself an ark
Genesis 6:9-22
Key verse: 6:14a

Good morning. Last week, after couple days of rain, there was a flooding in Libya, northern Africa. Many people have died. Also, during summertime, in Korea, just one day’s rain flooded the basement parking that caused many casualties. In America, we also have heard of flooding in L.A. and southern areas. But those floodings are local. But in today’s passage, there was a global flooding like the Pandemic. In this message, God decided to destroy all humans with the flooding yet found one man Noah to build an ark. In Genesis, Noah’s flooding was written in four chapters: Ch 6,7,8,9. Interestingly, God’s creation was written only in two chapters: Ch1 and 2. The flooding story is longer than God’s creation. Also, it is very detailed, years, day. It must be some God’s message to us through the flooding story. From this Sunday, next two weeks, we are going to learn about God’s message before the flood, during the flood, and after the flood. I pray three weeks later, we all may do three things: get to know God more deeply, knowing that the flood story is not a man made-up story but a fact in history, and accept God’s calling for us to live like Noah.

First, Noah was righteous, blameless and walked faithfully with God.
Look at verse 9. Who was Noah? He was a righteous man. What is righteous? Later in chapter 7:1, it says The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. God said this right after Noah finished building the ark in chapter 6. Based on this verse, we can see that being righteous is related to trust in God and obey his command. How do you know if a person has a righteous character? We can judge through their actions. In other words, see if the person is to keep what he said in the eyes of God and men. In Genesis chapter 15, God told Abraham that he will have a son through his own flesh. At that time, he was already 85 years old. Even if he knew his body was as good as dead, he believed what God said. Then, the LORD God credited it to him as righteousness. When we believe God’s word and obey it, when we seek right relationship with him, he will consider us righteous.
Noah was also blameless among the people of his time. Notice, he was blameless among the people of his time. In other words, in God’s eyes, he was neither perfect nor blameless. But while he people of his time turned against God, while they did not seek God, yet, Noah was trying to live as honest and pure in God’s sight.
Noah walked also faithfully with God. God is Spirit and invisible. Noah could not walk with God literally. Yet, he believed that God exists, rewards anyone who seeks him earnestly. In his time, while no one called on the name of God, he called upon God’s name and worshipped him. He came up to him, listened to him, asked for his help, and got strengthened by God. Above all, we do not know exactly how long it took for him to build up the ark, but steadily, faithfully, like blue hens which fights to the end, Noah obeyed God’s calling and did everything as God commanded.
Look at verse 10. Noah had three sons. Walking with God faithfully does not mean that you live in a remote place or cut off all relationship. He lived a normal life. He married. He had a wife and three sons. He had a job to support his family. Outwardly, he lived like other people in his time. But he honored God. He educated his sons to grow as God’s people. Later, when he started to build the ark, his three sons became his good coworkers. Not only his three sons, but also his three daughters-in-law became his best coworkers as well. A whole family, Noah, his wife, his three sons, his three daughters-in-law became in one heart, one mind, and one spirit to build the ark. What a beautiful family is!. In America, there are so many broken families. They are not in one spirit. I pray your future family becomes like Noah’s family. I pray my family (I, Ruth, and my three children) and all of you (I do not know how God leads you after your graduation), but if possible, with one mind, build up the body of Jesus here in Delaware campus.

Second, make yourself an ark.
Look at verse 11-12. God explained why he had to wipe out all human race on the earth. The earth was corrupt in his sight and was full of violence. Also, the humans on the earth were corrupt in his eyes. What does corrupt mean? It means “changed from a state of uprightness, correctness, and truth”.
In Noah’s time, why did the people become so corrupt? Verse 11 gives us a hint: in God’s sight. Verse 12 says God saw. They did not know God saw them. They did not believe God saw what their heart was thinking and what they were doing. Though God was silent, that does not mean that he did not see anything. He knew everything. Psalm 121:4 says indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. God sees people 24/7. But in Noah’s time, the people did not believe this. Since they did not have any fear of God in their heart, they did whatever their flesh desires wanted. As a result, they became corrupt in his eyes.
How can we not to be corrupt in God’s sight today? Keep in mind that God sees us what we are doing and what we are thinking. Also Psalm 1:1,2 say Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. When we have the words of God in our heart, when we meditate on his words day and night, the holy fear of God, the holy words of God will helps us overcome corruption. Also, Psalm 119:9 says, How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. When we live according to the words of God, like Noah, in God’s sight, we can keep honesty and integrity.
Look at verse 13. God shared his judgement plan with Noah. In verse 8, God already had said I will wipe out the human race from the earth. But he had spoken to himself. But now, he spoke to Noah personally. “I am going to put an end to all people“. When Noah heard about God’s plan, how would he feel? He must have been frightened. Probably he could not believe what he just heard. He might doubt that God would really do that?
Many years ago, Ruth had a car accident. The car was towed. I went to the mechanics. I asked him to repair the car. But he said, the car was totally useless. It was not worth putting even a dollar in the car. But in my eyes, it did not look bad. So, I asked him one more time to repair my car if possible. But he said it would be better to throw away the car and to buy a new one.
In Noah’s time, people were eating, drinking, marrying and given in marriage. Outwardly, it was not bad. They lived a pretty good life. But in God’s eyes, the earth was way beyond remedy, way beyond cure. So, God decided to destroy everything and to start a new history.
As God shared his judgment plan with Noah, in our time, God already shared his final judgment plan with any faithful men through the NT. When Jesus comes again, the current earth will be punished, and a new heaven and a new earth will come.
Then, what should Noah do? Look at verse 14. God provided him a way of salvation. It says, so make yourself an ark of cypress wood. God told him to prepare an ark for his salvation. The ark Noah is going to make is for his life, not for others. It is not even for God, but for his own soul. In the same way, why do we have to make our spiritual ark? It is for me, not for someone, not for God.
God told Noah to build up the ark. Why the ark? Why not other ways of salvation? The way of salvation through the ark is not Noah’s idea but God’s idea. Lots of people ask why there is only one way to be saved? There must be many other ways to be saved: by other religions, by doing good deeds, and so on. But as God gave Noah only one way: being saved through the ark, God gives us only one way to be saved: through our true ark Christ Jesus. In that sense, I really like our city name: Newark, New Ark: Acts 4:12 says Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Jesus also says, in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Though people criticize that Christianity is too narrow, too selfish, but that is the only way God provided us to be saved.
Third, Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
Look at verse 15-21. God instructed Noah step by step how to build up the ark. At that time, Noah was 500 years old. He was not a teen. He was a grown-up. He had three adult sons. He had pretty good life experiences and wisdom. Nevertheless, God gave him a blueprint of how to make the ark. Why? It was God who would bring the flood soon. He knew best how the ark could be safe in the waves of the flood. What Noah needed was simply to trust in God and followed his direction.
But even if he trusted in God, was it easy to build the ark? What was his job? Ch 9:20 says he was a man of soil. He was a farmer. He was an expert on soil, but definitely not about a ship. God did not just tell Noah to build the ark. Instead, he instructed him in detail to build the ark. This is like in the wilderness, God commanded Moses to build the tabernacle. Moses never saw the tabernacle. How could he make it in the wilderness? God gave him very detailed manuals of how to build the tabernacle. In our life, God did not just say “you need to be saved”. Instead, he showed us how we can be saved. In John 3, Jesus told Nicodemus, “you must be born again to see the kingdom of God ”. Romans 10:9 says If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Look at verse 15. What is the size of the ark? The ark is 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high (450 feet long, 75 feet wide, 45 feet high). One FIFA soccer field is 360 feet long, 225 feet wide. The size of the ark is longer than the soccer field. It is huge. 10 years ago, I visited Kentucky. On the road, I saw the Museum of Ark, its actual size described here. It was overwhelming. Engineers said the ratio (300, 50, 30) is the safest and the most stable ratio. Its ratio was tested and approved scientifically. Engineers use this ratio as the basic model when they build ships today.
Look at verse 16. God said to Noah, below the roof, make one opening all round, that is like one big window. Cruise ships have many side windows for customers to watch oceans. But the ark has only one big window, just below the roof. Why did God say Noah to make only one opening on the top? It is God’s mercy. If the opening were on the side, in the flooding, what would Noah and his family see? His friends are drowning, his relatives are drowning. It is a trauma. Even after the flood is over, the trauma would taunt his mind. Also, inside the ark, Noak was stuck. He could not go out and in. He had to stay inside whether he liked it or not. But thankfully there was one opening on the top. Noah could look up to heaven through the opening. He could still pray to God. When I was at college, for several months, at nighttime, I worked as a cashier at the gas station. It was a very small shop. I was stuck there. Because I had to make money, I could not quit the job. Often, I looked up to ceiling, prayed to God; ‘God, have mercy upon me, deliver me from this place’. If you feel you are stuck, no way in and out, remember that there is still one opening for you; heaven. You can look up to God, seek for his help.
Look at verse 17. Now, God plainly said he is going to bring floodwaters on the earth. Everything will perish. He created everything on the earth. In Genesis 1, God created land, animals, birds, fish, and humans. But here he would destroy all creatures. He is a giver but at same time a taker. Job confessed The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away (Job 1:21) There is a praising song; it says You give and take away, You give and take away. This is who God is.
Look at verse 18. It says I will establish my covenant with you. What is covenant? It is an agreement or deal. Usually, an agreement or deal is done by two equal partners. But in this covenant, one side is the creator God, the other side is a sinner, Noah. No matter Noah was righteous and blameless, he could not be a partner to God. However, God said I will establish my covenant with you. By his mercy, God considered Noah as his covenant partner. 1 Corinthians 3:9 says, we are God’s coworkers in his service. God considers us as his salvation co-workers when we serve him and his church. In John’s gospel, Jesus also even called his disciples as friends. It says I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15) The disciples did not deserve to be Jesus’ friends, yet when they followed him faithfully, Jesus shared God’s plan with them.
Back to verse 18. Take notice: a word, establish. It means To make stable or firm or to confirm. God himself set the covenant firmly with Noah. The covenant did not come from Noah. But it came from God. God brought the idea of the covenant: while he wipes out everything on the earth, because of the covenant, he will not destroy Noah and his family with all creatures in the ark. Jesus also made his covenant with us too. He said, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28) He confirmed his covenant that anyone who believes in his blood will be forgiven from their sins.
Look at verse 19 and 20. Two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, animal, all creatures on the earth. We do not know how many creatures are on the earth. No one knows for sure. But scientists so far have discovered over 1.2 million species. They have still discovered new species every day. But simply say, 1.2 million creatures, two per species, then, 2.4 million. How could Noah go out and bring the 2.4 million creatures into the ark? It is going to take time forever. What if he brough two monkeys in the ark and then one of them goes out of the ark? It is chaotic. Humanly speaking, it is impossible.
However, with man, it is impossible, but with God, everything is possible. Look at verse 20 again. It says two of every kind of creature will come to you to be kept alive. God will send one pair (every male and female) to Noah. They will come and stand in line in front of Noah. It is a miracle. Noah might not believe what he saw. Since Noah made rooms, he just needs to direct them; you go to room 101, you, go to room 102. God set everything in order.
Ruth and I go out to campus regularly and invite students to Bible studies and Sunday worship service. But it is very difficult to find even one student. However, when God brings students in, we will see God’s amazing power. We do not know when it will be ready. But when Delaware UBF is ready, like when Noah’s ark was ready, as God sent all living creatures, God will send many students who are hungry for the words of God to us.
Look at verse 21. What did God command Noah? Store every kind of food for him and for the creatures. How long did Noah stay in the ark? Noah entered the ark, on Feb 10, at age 600 years old (7:6, 7:11). He came out on Feb 27th, at age 601 years old (8:13, 8:14). So, one year and 17days. For staying over one year inside the ark, Noah could not go outside to get food. How much he had to work hard to find and store the food: tons of food: All kinds of every seed-bearing plant, fruit, green plant. He must have spent his own money to buy other foods as well. We often say live by faith. Living by faith does not mean you pray, you just sit down, wait until apples will fall on you. Instead, you pray, you obey God’s commands, you do your part diligently.
Look at verse 22. It says Noah did everything just as God commanded him. Noah did not see rain or the flooding yet. But when God told him to make himself an ark, he might not understand God’s command. However, because God said so, he started building up the ark. When he began to build up the ark, many people, his close friends, relatives, came up to him, asked him, what are you doing? Why are you making a ship? He answered them, God said, he will send the floodwaters and make the ark. Who would believe what he said? Everyone would laugh at him, making fun of him. He must have been lonely. He must have been misunderstood. He might doubt if he was doing right things or not. But he did everything as God told him. We do not know exactly how long it took to build up the ark. Ch 4 says he was 500 years old. He was 600 years old when the flood came. So, it might take 100 years or less. The main point is that he endured all hardships and finished his mission. Hebrews 11:7 says about 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.
This is a conclusion. Verse 9 says Noah was righteous, blameless, and he walked faithfully with God. Noah proved this through his actions: he did everything as God commanded him. He did not see rain or flooding yet but when God said to him to build himself an ark, he did by faith. Honestly, is it easy to obey God’s command? Try it, then, you will know how hard it is. But we do not need to be frustrated. Because God who helped Noah to build the ark successfully will help us obey his commands as well. When you die later, on your tomb, what inscription do you want people to see? Just name, BOD and DOD or like Noah, someone was righteous, blameless, and he walked faithfully with God. I pray we all may see God’s vision for each of us to live like Noah in this generation and to obey God’s command.