The Red Thread in Noah’s Ark — The Work
Because of Noah’s great faith, God could trust him to do something as outlandish as build a monstrous boat far from water over a long period of time under the scrutiny of a world whose every intention of their heart was evil. (See Genesis 6)
That had to be fun.
The Bible doesn’t say exactly when Noah began the construction project, but we do know that it had to be after his sons were born and married since God told him to build it for his wife, his sons, and their wives. (Genesis 6:18)
No doubt Noah began as soon as God gave him the plans. If God says to do something, most likely a man who’s found favor in God’s eyes is someone who obeys Him quickly, completely, and cheerfully.
(Wow, I haven’t said that phrase – “quickly, completely, and cheerfully” – since my children were little. I used to say it A LOT! But I digress . . .)
What the Bible also doesn’t say is if Noah built the ark by himself.
When you read the story closely, you realize that nowhere is it recorded that anyone ever helped Noah build the ark.
It only records God speaking with Noah, not with anyone else in his family.
We read that “Noah did everything just as God commanded him[1],” but there’s no mention of anyone else having “done all God commanded him” concerning the ark.
The New Testament only mentions Noah as having “prepared the ark.” (Hebrews 11:7)
Did Noah build the ark by himself?
The task is clearly too great for one man to perform by himself, unless he were given supernatural power from God to do it.
Superman could have done it, although I still think he would have needed to have the flexibility of Stretch Armstrong or Elastigirl to hold the boards in place while at the same time securing them on each end. Wow, I’m really digressing.
So, yes, if God enabled him to do it, he could have built it all by himself.
It’s also possible — and more likely — that Noah had tons of help, but by God’s design, Noah is the only one recorded as having built the ark.
Either scenario is possible, for nothing is impossible with God.[2]
I, personally, lean towards Noah having had help, although I like the idea of his being a combination of superheroes. SuperStretch Noah?
Regardless of which scenario is accurate, it is clear that God’s focus is on Noah alone as the builder.
Why would it matter that Noah alone gets credit for the ark?
I believe it’s a Red Thread Clue.
One of the foundational truths of Christianity is that we cannot earn our salvation. It’s a work of Christ alone.
Salvation is a free gift, paid for with His blood, which he shed as He hung on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.[3]
Salvation is not “Christ’s death on the cross plus anything else.” It’s not Christ plus good works, or Christ plus living by certain rules.
It’s Christ alone.
Just as Noah did all the work God commanded him to do to provide the means for him and his family members to be saved from the flood, so Jesus did all God commanded Him to do and finished the work to provide the means for our salvation and adoption into His family. As He hung on the cross, Christ said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
Noah alone is credited with the work of building the ark — the means of their salvation from the flood. He did all God commanded him.
The work of salvation from sin is a work of Christ alone. Christ did all God commanded Him. “It is finished.”
No picture, type, or clue of Christ is ever going to be exactly like the real deal, but Noah and the Ark have given us a pretty good glimpse into what Christ would do.
Stay tuned for the next Red Thread Clue in Noah’s Ark.
Had you ever thought about if Noah had help building the ark? Leave a comment. Thanks!
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[1] Genesis 6:22
[2] Luke 1:37
[3] Ephesians 2:8
