Covenant With Noah – Would You Build an Ark? Part 2
In Genesis 7:1-5, we view a critical moment of Noah’s journey of faith. After carefully following God’s instructions to build the ark, Noah now faces the task of gathering his family and the animals, preparing for the flood that will reshape the earth.
This passage highlights God’s covenant—a divine promise to protect Noah, his loved ones, and every living creature aboard the ark. It’s a story of faith, obedience, and God’s unwavering faithfulness. Now, let’s see how God’s promises endure through every storm.
Noah & The Great Flood
Then the Lord said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.
You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female; also of the birds of the sky, by sevens, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth.
For after seven more days, I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.”
Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him. – Genesis 7:1-5 NASB
What is a Covenant?
The beginning verses of this passage are about covenants. Put simply, a covenant is a promise. It’s not a contract. A contract establishes a mutual agreement between parties, often focused on the exchange of goods or services. But a covenant is a solemn promise that involves a deeper spiritual or moral obligation. So, when God makes a covenant, He keeps it!
God makes covenants with many well-known people throughout the Bible including David, Abraham and Moses–to name a few.
Our Covenant Through Christ
God also makes covenants with us. He is our salvation just as He was with Noah and the others.
Isn’t it fantastic that God has promised us something? With our everyday situations, He promises to be with us. All we have to do is call on Him through Jesus Christ for guidance. Through Jesus, we have direct access to God’s grace and wisdom.
He provided His Spirit (Helper) to guide us through life’s challenges. When we ask, this act of faith strengthens our spiritual journey. In addition, it reassures us of God’s love and support.
Obedience
This Scripture lesson’s second part highlights one of the most important sentences in Noah’s story, which we might have missed.
The sentence I’m speaking of is the last one which says that “Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him.“
You see, Noah obeyed God after hearing God’s covenant. His obedience sets an example of how we should follow God’s commands.
What About Us?
Using the talents and gifts God has given us, we are also asked to do certain tasks. Each of us has been blessed with unique abilities that can be used to serve God’s purpose and help others. Whether it’s through teaching, healing, creating, or leading, our talents are tools to advance God’s work on Earth. When we use these gifts, we honor God’s covenant and contribute to our communities and the world. And most importantly, they see Christ through us!
Although I doubt we will ever be asked to build an ark (although it’s possible), our ministry is just as crucial to God as Noah’s.
When God Asks
What do we say when God asks us to do something for Him? There are several possible answers:
- Yes God, I will do as you ask and start on it today
- Okay God, I will do as you ask but will have to wait for the “right” time
- Yes God, I would do as you ask but I just don’t have the talent for that
- Well God, I would do it but just don’t have the time or money
- God, I can’t do that! It’s too big a project for me!
These are just a few of the answers (some are excuses) I have used before. Did you find any of your answers to God’s request within these? Or do you have other answers of your own?
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to learn more about the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to look at John 3:16.