The Ark
Notes
Transcript
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
In Matthew 24:37, Jesus said that in the last days when He returns, it will be like it was in the days of Noah. What are some of the things mentioned here in Genesis 6 that already happening and will likely increase in the last days?
Exploding population (Genesis 6:1)
Sexual perversion (Genesis 6:2)
Demonic activity (Genesis 6:2)
Growing evil (Genesis 6:5)
Widespread corruption and violence (Genesis 6:11)
What does God’s response say about how He views sin and rebellion?
God takes sin seriously. It “grieved Him in His heart.” God knew that man would fall into sin. God knew that sin would increase. God knew this day would come, but it still grieved Him.
In verse 8, Noah finds favor in God’s eyes while the rest of humanity faces judgment. What set Noah apart? What does this say about the possibility of living righteously in a wicked world?
Noah stood out in a generation consumed by wickedness because he chose to walk with God (as seen in verse 9). He wasn’t perfect, but he was righteous, blameless among his generation, and faithfully obedient. What set him apart wasn’t just moral behavior—it was his relationship with God. In the midst of a corrupt culture, Noah maintained integrity, reverence for God, and a lifestyle that aligned with God's will. This shows us that it is possible to live righteously even when everyone around us is going the opposite direction.
Noah's life challenges the idea that our environment determines our character. His example reminds us that God’s favor isn’t random—it often rests on those who seek Him, listen to His voice, and obey Him when it's not popular to do so. In dark times, even one person who walks with God can make an eternal impact.
QUESTIONS
This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
The word “just” can also be interpreted as “righteous.” What does it mean to be righteous?
In the context of Genesis 6:9, to say that Noah was "righteous" means that he lived in right relationship with God and was morally upright in contrast to the corrupt and violent world around him.
Read Genesis 15:6. What did Abraham do to be declared righteous in the eyes of God?
Abraham believed, and it was counted to him for righteousness. He placed his faith in God and fully depended upon Him.
What might it mean that Noah was “perfect in his generations?” How might this relate to Genesis 3:15?
It means that Noah’s genetic line was not yet contaminated by the seed of the serpent.
The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Some have said that God’s judgment on the entire earth seems too harsh. Do you agree or disagree?
I disagree. God’s punishment was not too harsh.
What is at stake if God allows the evil and corruption to continue to increase?
Ultimately, the fate of the entire human race and the earth is dependent upon God’s response. It is amazing to think that out of the entire population of the earth at this time, there was only one man alive who could keep the hope of the seed of the woman alive.
Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.
What were the dimensions of the ark in feet?
The ark was about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet tall.
What is pitch and why was it used?
Pitch was a type of petroleum product that was used for waterproofing wood.
And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.”
How does the ark represent Jesus Christ?
The ark represents salvation and deliverance. It also represents God’s grace and preservation. Jesus fulfills all of those things for us as well.
This passage shows both destruction and preservation. How do we hold those two ideas—judgment and mercy—in tension when we think about who God is?
God is a merciful and gracious God. But He is also a God of judgment. He is described as a consuming fire. Because of His holiness, He cannot tolerate sin.
Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.
Noah “did all that God commanded him.” What does it take to obey God completely—especially when the command seems extreme or illogical by human standards?
It takes faithful obedience.
How do you think Noah’s daily life reflected his obedience over the years it took to build the ark?
He got up every morning and worshiped and obeyed God.
What habits or routines in your life either support or hinder your obedience to God?
Too much screen time?
Devotional time?
Bad habits?
