Noah and the Grace Covenant Pt.1
Since we are looking at bible narratives, I want to look at the very first time the word "grace" is used in the bible. The word "grace" is used 37 times in the Old Testament alone.
Keep in mind the very first time "grace" is used in the bible, it is in the context of salvation. It is in the context of being saved. Of course we are talking about the story of Noah and the ark.
Genesis 6:5-8 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thought of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the Lord said, "I will destroy man whom I created from the earth, both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fouls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them." But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
Verses 5-7 talks about the evilness of man and God's decision to destroy mankind from off the earth. Yet, the bible says, "but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." So we can say, "Noah was saved by grace." Here is what I want us to recognize: because God told Noah to "build an ark; this ark will be the refuge of your salvation," Noah's ark is "the ark of grace." It was built in the spirit and strength of grace.
This ark strongly symbolizes the Ark of Christ. It strongly represents the Covenant of Grace found in the person of Jesus Christ. He is our Ark and place of refuge.
What does Noah's-Narrative teach us about the covenant of grace that is found in Christ Jesus?
I am going to answer this question with a 7 point outline. We are going to look at the substance of the ark, the safety of the ark, the size of the ark, the structure of the ark, the span of the ark, the strength of the ark, and the security of the ark. We are going to see how all these things are a powerful picture of the grace found in Jesus Christ.
We are going to dismantle Noah's ark and see that "it is grace through-and-through." We are going to take this ship apart board by board and see that every detail speaks "the marvelous grace of God that is in Christ Jesus."
The substance of the Ark
Genesis 6:14 "Make yourself and ark of gopherwood"
So the Lord told Noah to build the ark out of gopherwood. Friends, here is what I want us to understand: the word gopherwood is only used one time in the bible and it is here in this scripture. This means not much is known about gopherwood. However, what bible scholars do know about gopherwood is what is considered to be the most important thing. We may not know much at all about gopherwood, but we do know the most important thing.
So, what is the most important thing? Gopherwood is one of those rare types of wood that is labeled "incorruptible." It is one of those rare types of wood that can soak in water a long time and not rot. It can be immersed in the water for many days and not decay. Craftsman, both saved and secular, call this kind of wood "incorruptible."
Here is what is amazing: the bible defines everything about our salvation as "incorruptible."
First of all, how are we saved? By the "incorruptible word of God." 1 Peter 1:23 "Being born again by the incorruptible word of God."
Because we are saved by the "incorruptible word of God," we are waiting for our "incorruptible bodies." 1 Corinthians 15:52 "the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
In this new "incorruptible body" we shall receive a "incorruptible inheritance." 1 Peter 1:4 "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that does not fade, reserved in heaven for you."
Just as the ark was made out of "incorruptible" wood, everything about our salvation is incorruptible!
The safety of the ark
Genesis 6:14 "and cover it inside and outside with pitch"
The Lord told Noah, "After you have built the ark, smear both the inside and outside with pitch."
So, what is "pitch?" Pitch is like tar. It is a sealant that is used to fill in the cracks. When Noah smeared the ark on both sides with pitch, not even a drop of rain could penetrate through the ark. The ark of Noah's salvation was absolutely waterproof.
This pitch represents the blood of Jesus Christ. Just as the pitch made the ark waterproof, the blood of Christ makes our salvation sin-proof. Not even the slightest accusation of Satan can penetrate it. The enemy can't even find a pinhole to bring his accusations against our lives. He can keep throwing up our past and the sins of our past over and over again, but it is not going to penetrate through the blood because the blood has washed all our sins away.
Whenever the devil tries to throw your sins in your face, say, "Hey devil. I got a new song for you. Do you want to hear it?" I hear the accuser roar, the ills that I have done; I know them well and a thousand more, Jehovah findeth none...He findeth none; He findeth none; I've been washed in the blood of His Son. He findeth none; He findeth none; I've been washed in the blood of His Son."
(What a great song! If you never heard it, check it out.)
The size of the ark
Genesis 6:15 "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.
This is a very large ship. When you translate cubits to footage, it is 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet in height. This is a very large vessel.
Why so large? It had to be BIG enough to house every creature on board.
Listen, there are a lot of animals that have to fit on this ark. Some of them are massive: elephants, hippopotamus'; giraffes; you get the picture. This ark had to be large enough to house every creature who came aboard.
Can I say Jesus is BIG enough to provide saving grace for everyone on board His gospel-ship. How do I know? John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."
God made the grace that is in Christ BIG enough to save everyone in the entire world, from every generation. This is why it is so tragic that so many people die lost in their sins when there is room enough for everybody.
Understand: when we look at the size of Noah's ark, what does it speak to our world today?
There is room at the cross for you.
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