Noah was considered a lunatic of his times. For one thing he was building a huge boat on land for something he called a "flood". Until this age of the world, the earth had experienced minimal natural disasters. However, some natural disasters did in fact occur. For example, Genesis 3:17 says "Cursed is the ground because of you." Despite the view of others, Noah constructed this massive ark that held around 32,000 animals.
Genesis 6:15-16, "This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feel long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. Make a roof for it and finish the ark to within 18inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle, and upper decks." (NIV) Everyone seems to know that the ark is huge, but just how huge? Well for starters, the ark had a volume of about 1,518,000 cubic feet. This is about the same as a train with five and a half miles of stock cars behind it.
Above is a 1/75 scaling of Noah's ark on http://www.biblestudy.org/biblepic/how-big-was-the-ark-of-noah-scale-model.html compared to a railroad stock car (also 1/75 scale)
Now I could tell you millions of comparisons to show just how big this ark built by a 600 year old man really is, but that might get a bit repetitive and boring. So, instead, I'll tell you one comparison that sticks with me. Brace yourself...Noah's ark is about the same length as... one and a half football fields! It may not sound like much, but picture a boat even the size of one football field. Imagine the Colts beating the Vikings in a boat with enough room to fit stands and the field itself. Not only could it fit the bleachers and the field, but it would also have enough room to house a few vendors and food stands.
Above is a picture of Noah and one of his three sons building the ark. (http://www.coloring-pages-book-for-kids-boys.com/images/01_noah_bible_at_coloring-pages-book-for-kids-boys.gif)
Genesis 7:6 says "Noah was six hundred years old when the flood waters came on the earth". Six hundred years old?! And people complain at 40 years old about back pains. Noah built his ark at a little under six hundred years old. He did have three younger sons and their families that also helped in construction, but in spite of that Noah was a very faithful man who was willing to risk his life to save his family from the coming catastrophe.
Not only was Noah's drive inspiring, his faithfulness to God is incomprehensible. Genesis 6:22 says, "Noah did everything just as God commanded him." It was his faith that saved him and his family from a world-wide flood, not anything he did. This theme continues all throughout the Bible. If you have any questions I highly recommend reading the book of John, or post any other questions you may have.
No comments:
Post a Comment