Reading Through The Bible: Number 27
Moving into Genesis chapter 6 we see a couple of things that surprise a lot of people! Firstly, as the Lord instructs Noah about what his actions should be regarding the forthcoming flood, it becomes apparent that God had already given men instructions regarding which animals were fit for food and which were not.
This is evident by the fact that He instructed Noah to take on board the ark two of the “unclean” animals – a male and a female – but seven of the “clean” animals. If Noah didn’t have that knowledge, the animals would no doubt have been listed by name. So when men had left behind the original vegetarian diet given by God, and had begun to kill animals for food, instructions were obviously given as to which were fit for food. Clean and unclean foods were not just a Jewish thing, but for all mankind.
How big was the ark? According to a modern cubit (the measurement from a man’s elbow to his middle fingertip) the ark was to be about 150 Metres long and 25 metres wide and consist of three floors. That’s a pretty huge ship!
The Bible narrative says that Noah went into the ark seven days before the flood came on the earth and that on the seventh day: “on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.”
I find it interesting that precedence is given to “all the fountains of the great deep” being “broken up” to the fact that it rained for 40 days and forty nights. Many make the mistake of assuming that as things are on earth now, they always have been! However it seems that there were huge reservoirs of water under the surface of the earth which God broke open to flood the earth and destroy the wickedness that caused Him to regret having created man. Add to that all the water which had been “above the firmament” or atmosphere, and a world-wide flood is suddenly much more believable! Not that I ever doubted it as there is abundant evidence of it around the earth; sea shells on mountain tops and the Grand Canyon just to name a couple!
God always has a way of escape from danger. Once it was an ark, now it is Jesus. He says: “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28, 29)(a portion of the original post is missing here see Sept 3 post and type it in)
You can have real confidence in the Bible today friend! It is the Word of God.
Have a great day!