Entering The Ark

Genesis 7:1–9
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When God pronounced the destruction of man from the face of the earth (6:7,13) he still gave sinful man 120 years to repent while Noah built the ark. And now in this chapter Noah enters into the Ark (v. 1). Some have questioned why it would say in one place that Noah took two of every kind and in  another place seven of a kind. Please note the distinction between clean and unclean beast (v. 2). All you have to do to answer this is read chapter eight and verse twenty and you will see that when Noah left the ark he offered clean beasts as sacrifices to God. Where would  he have found clean beasts if he had not taken more than two of them. After the sacrifice there was still a male and female of every animal. In this passage we can see:

1. A full commitment demanded of Noah (v. 1).What it meant for Noah to be “in the ark” in his day is what it means for us to be “in Christ” today. Noah and his family had to take a step of faith by getting in the Ark. They had to make a total commitment of themselves to the salvation that had been provided for them at a tremendous price. The gospel invitation was given to Noah and his family in that glorious word “Come!”

2. A final commission delivered to Noah (vv. 2-4).He was to take seven of each kind of “clean” beast into the ark. One of each seven of the “clean” beast was no doubt intended for sacrifice. God directed the creatures of the earth to make their way into the ark. The ark was the serpents abode, the lions den etc. Just as “the saved” today are changed (II Cor. 5:17) so perhaps the natures of the beasts were changed so long as they were in the ark. After the door was shut for seven days it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.

3. A faithful compliance demonstrated by Noah(vv. 5-9). Just as the animals went into the ark Noah and his family went in while the rest of mankind yawned in the face of God. Noah did everything the Lord commanded him to do (v. 5). He was 600 years old when the flood came to the earth (v. 6). The vast  and costly work of salvation was all in vain for the majority, just like it is today.

Application

God has warned us in His word that a day of judgment is coming. The rapture of the church could be at any time and then will be great tribulation. Am I faithfully sounding the warning as Noah did?