The ark shows God’s salvation blueprint. The details of the ark foreshadow how Jesus will save us. Genesis 6: 14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.[1]
The ark’s dimensions made it exceedingly stable and almost impossible to capsize. It would align itself with the waves, thus minimizing rolling action. It also had a volume of 522 standard livestock railcars.[2] When we know Jesus is in control, our lives become more stable because we can trust Him. He provides provision and safety in the storms of life. His saving action has enough room for all who believe.
The Pitch or Covering
The Hebrew word used for pitch in Genesis 6:14 is kopher. It can mean covering with a resinous pitch or ransom and is related to the Hebrew kaphar, which means atonement.[3] Sacrificial law speaks of a blood covering as making atonement or reconciliation between God and people. The blood covered the altar, and God no longer saw the sin. Leviticus 17: 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.[4]
The Old Testament sacrifices were only temporary until Jesus came and paid the blood price for our sins on the cross. Hebrews 9: 12 With his(Jesus) own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. [5] The pitch with which Noah covered the ark kept out the waters of judgment. Jesus’ blood covers us and brings reconciliation between us and our God, thus preventing our judgment.
The Door
The ark provided a way for Noah’s family and the animals to be saved, and there was only one door in the ark. All entered and left by this one door. Once the animals entered, there was nowhere to go except deeper into the ark. Jesus is the only way to receive salvation. John 14: 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [6]
Jesus tells us He is the door. John 10: 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.[7] Jesus is the door by which we enter for safety and rest and then leave to serve Him.
To learn more about how the ark demonstrated God’s salvation blueprint, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-in-a-faithless-world
[1,6,7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway Bibles.
[2] The Genesis Record, Henry M. Morris, Baker House Books, Grand Rapids, MI, (1976) p181.
[3] Strong, J. (1995). In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.
[5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Heb 9:11–12). Tyndale House Publishers.