Over the next few weeks we are looking at the top ten Old Testament stories, here is number 2 – Noah’s Ark – what will be number 1? These stories you may remember from Sunday School, on closer look they are difficult stories so are often forgotten about in Church.
This story is found in Genesis 6-8. It is a very popular children’s story probably because of the animals but it may be the most tragic event in human history!
he story of Noah’s Ark is one filled with faith, perseverance, and promise. Noah was a man who found great favor in God’s eyes. The entire population of mankind had become evil and wicked, and God decided to bring a flood to the earth to destroy everyone but Noah and his family. God told Noah to prepare an ark big enough to hold one male and one female from every kind of animal and creature. This is why many pictures depicting Noah’s ark show animals coming two by two.
When it started raining, Noah brought his wife and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives onto the ark. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights. After coming to rest on a mountain, Noah sent out a dove to find dry land but it returned. Seven days later, he sent out another dove, which returned with an olive leaf, signaling that it was safe to go onto land.
The story should not be taken too literally – it tells us of the destruction of evil and God preserving Noah and his family and and the rest of creation.