“MAKE thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of:...” vv. 14, 15.
Noah was not left to his own dices in building the ark. God gave specific instructions detailing design and dimensions. Left to his own planning, Noah could never have undertaken so grand a program. Is it not strange that man, left to himself, does not want to accept God’s ways, but prefers means of his own, both as to the present and the future, thinking he can thus establish a foundation that will be secure? How amazing that, although the craftsman will not attempt a project without qualified plans of an architect, though man on a sick bed will avidly follow instructions from his physician, though the dressmaker will rigidly follow the expert’s pattern and though almost all undertakings will be entered into only with assurance of guidance from some true authority, yet, when the matter of relationship with God and preparation for eternity are involved, natural man shuns God’s way and invents all kinds of devices that suit his own fancy. Nothing speaks more of this than the befuddled morass of the world’s religions which so often are “the doctrines of men,” whereas God’s way is simple and plain.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8, 98For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8‑9). “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12).
The ark speaks to us of Christ God’s way of salvation. Those who refuse His Person and His work on Calvary will not escape the judgment soon to fall. Sealed “within and without with pitch” tells us of the security of the atonement Christ has made for every believer. Not one drop of water could penetrate that immense vessel, nor shall one finger of God’s judgment ever be laid against the one safely in the true Ark.
The dimensions of this great ship were entirely adequate for its purpose, just as all of God’s plans are complete. As a matter of interest, it would compare in size with some of the large merchant vessels that ply the oceans today. But no room was required for engines, fuel or baggage, and no space required for promenade decks. The full capacity of its three stories was available to Noah and his family, the creatures that accompanied them, and provender for the duration of their stay.
Other details of the ark are interesting, as well. There were no windows along its sides—just one in the top. This tells us of divine light shing down on every believer who is “safe in Christ.” Nor could Noah look outward at the sad scene around him. His gaze must be upward heavenward — and that is where every true believer in Christ will find his most pleasing occupation — not in looking on the wretched world through which he passes.
There was only one door to the ark, reminding us that the Lord Jesus said: “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9). Noah might have finished the ark, stood off and admired it, but never have entered through the door at the last. Then he would have perished with the rest. But when he went in the door he was safe.
ML-10/18/1964