Noah
Builder of the Ark
Noah was a righteous man in a corrupt generation. God commanded him to build an ark to save his family and animals from the flood that would destroy the earth. After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah, symbolized by the rainbow.
Character Traits
Life Timeline
Noah is born to Lamech, who prophesies that his son will bring comfort from the curse on the ground. Noah's name means 'rest' or 'comfort.' He is the tenth generation from Adam through Seth's line.
GEN 5:28-29In an age of unprecedented wickedness, Noah stands out as a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries. He walks with God while the rest of humanity embraces violence and corruption. God chooses him to preserve life.
GEN 6:8-9God reveals His plan to destroy the earth by flood and commands Noah to build an ark. He provides exact specifications: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, 30 cubits high, with three decks and a door in the side.
GEN 6:13-21Noah obeys God and builds the massive vessel, a project likely taking decades. During this time, he serves as a 'preacher of righteousness' (2 Peter 2:5), warning his generation of coming judgment while they continue in wickedness.
GEN 6:22Noah, his wife, his three sons and their wives—eight people total—enter the ark along with pairs of every animal. God Himself shuts the door behind them. Seven days later, the rains begin.
GEN 7:1-16The fountains of the great deep burst forth and the windows of heaven open. Rain falls for forty days and nights. The waters rise until they cover the highest mountains by fifteen cubits, destroying all life on earth except those in the ark.
GEN 7:11-24After 150 days, God causes the waters to recede. The ark rests on the mountains of Ararat. Noah sends out a raven and then doves to test the conditions. When a dove returns with an olive leaf, Noah knows the earth is recovering.
GEN 8:1-14Noah leaves the ark and builds an altar, offering burnt sacrifices to God. God smells the pleasing aroma and promises never to destroy the earth by flood again. He sets the rainbow as the sign of His eternal covenant.
GEN 8:20-9:17Noah plants a vineyard and becomes drunk on its wine. He lies uncovered in his tent. Ham sees his nakedness and tells his brothers, but Shem and Japheth cover their father respectfully. Noah later curses Canaan (Ham's son) and blesses Shem and Japheth.
GEN 9:20-27Noah lives 350 years after the flood, dying at the age of 950 years. He witnesses the beginning of the new world, the multiplication of his descendants, and the early stages of post-flood civilization.
GEN 9:28-29Key Relationships
Eldest Son - Shem was blessed by Noah after covering his father's nakedness. Through Shem's line came the Semitic peoples, including Abraham and ultimately Jesus Christ. Shem lived 600 years and was still alive when Abraham was born.
Second Son - Ham dishonored his father by looking at his nakedness and telling his brothers. Noah cursed Ham's son Canaan, whose descendants would serve those of Shem and Japheth. Ham's line included Egypt, Babylon, and Canaan.
Third Son - Japheth, along with Shem, respectfully covered Noah's nakedness. He was blessed to be 'enlarged' and to dwell in the tents of Shem. His descendants populated the Mediterranean, Europe, and beyond.
The Ark as Type of Christ - The ark is a profound type of Christ: one way of salvation from judgment, wooden and covered with pitch, with one door, holding all who enter safely through judgment to new life. Just as God shut Noah in, those in Christ are secure.
Key Locations
Spiritual Lessons
Stand Alone if Necessary
In a world where 'every inclination of human hearts was only evil continually,' Noah alone walked with God. He didn't need a crowd to validate his faith. One person aligned with God is a majority. Be willing to stand alone for righteousness even when everyone around you chooses differently.
Obey God Completely
Noah did 'everything just as God commanded.' Building an enormous boat far from water, gathering animals, waiting for a flood that had never happened—none of it made natural sense. Yet Noah obeyed every detail. When God gives clear direction, obey fully even when you don't understand the reasons.
God Provides a Way of Salvation
The ark was God's provision for saving Noah and his family from judgment. There was only one door, one way of salvation. Jesus said, 'I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.' The ark points forward to Christ.
Righteousness Has Limits
Despite being a righteous man, Noah became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent after the flood. Even the most godly people have weaknesses and can fall. Righteousness requires ongoing vigilance. Stay humble and dependent on God's grace daily.