Most people alive today know the story of Noah’s Ark. Today, you can even travel to Williamstown, Kentucky, and tour a replica of Noah’s Ark, said to have been made to the exact specifications outlined in the bible. Many have also seen the movie “Noah” starring Russel Crowe, or some other movie/documentary about this mysterious tale of Noah and his Ark.
Biblical scholars have argued over the realities of such a story for centuries. Some scholars claim it happened exactly as the bible says. Others think it’s nothing more than an allegory, revealing to the audience God’s attitude toward humankind and God’s willingness to squash the entire creation of life and start over from scratch like it was some science experiment gone astray. How do we, in the common era, make sense of this marvelous story? How is it possible for a man to build an ark big enough to house two of all living creatures in order to save all creation from a worldwide flood and fulfill God’s plan for humanity?
To lean into the impossible details of this story, we first have to be divorced from the limitations of our own abilities and the abilities of humankind as a whole, especially in Noah’s era. If we try to absorb the impossible details of this story with our limited capacity to know anything outside of our restricted selves, we will only become dazed and confused. To comprehend Noah’s story, along with the spiritual mystery behind such an account, we must first understand that nothing is impossible with God. If we believe in the supreme power of God, then we know the impossible becoming possible is very much a part of God’s makeup. The great news is that when we bring our finite selves to God and surrender our lives to God, we too will start to experience the impossible becoming possible, which for most people is an apocalyptic experience. An experience that you do not want to miss, that’s a promise.
Whether you believe there was a real man named Noah, who built the ark exactly how the scripture details, or believe this section of the bible is only allegorical, there are still many promises, lessons, and blessings to be extracted from this story. Our reading illustrates the character of God. Noah’s story teaches us many great lessons about God’s characteristics and how we can incorporate these characteristics as kingdom people into our own lives. God’s covenant to humankind is that God, in the end, reconciles all things in creation to God’s own self for the salvation of all of creation. Friends, that is amazing, as is Noah’s story and God’s covenant with all of creation.
Scripture Readings
Reflection Questions
- What did you take away from today’s scripture readings and devotional?
- How do you view the story of Noah’s Ark? Fiction or non-fiction? Why?
- How do you serve God and rejoice in God with a high degree of excitement?
- What makes the duties of kingdom people living today similar to the duties of John the Baptist?
- In what ways can you grow spiritually from Noah’s story regardless if it’s a literal story or more of an allegory?
- What covenant are you willing to make with God in 2021?
Prayer
My Creator, I am not sure what to believe or not to believe about Noah’s Ark. I do know that You are the creator of all things, which equates to the fact that nothing is outside the realm of the impossible. God, grant me the courage to accept the things beyond my comprehension and help me approach this life with confidence instead of certainty, so I can be shaped by the commitment to allow your covenant to live inside of me. In Your Spirit, and Your name, Amen.
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