An Article of Faith

Last year the movie “Noah,” directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Aronofsky and Ari Handel, was supposedly based on the biblical story of Noah’s Ark from the Book of Genesis. Anyone familiar with the biblical-historical account of Noah quickly learns that Hollywood has taken liberties with the Bible.
I strongly recommend that you read the biblical-historical account of Noah for yourself in Genesis chapters 6 through 9.
The ark was a vessel built by Noah to save himself, his family, and animals from the flood sent by God in judgement upon mankind for sin, corruption and violence:
“The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and He saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the LORD was sorry He had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke His heart. And the LORD said, ‘I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing – all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.’ But Noah found favor with the LORD...
“So God said to Noah, ‘I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth! Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior. Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Leave an 18-inch opening below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build three decks inside the boat – lower, middle, and upper.
“‘Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. But I will confirm My covenant with you. So enter the boat – you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring a pair of every kind of animal – a male and a female – into the boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, and every kind of small animal that scurries along the ground, will come to you to be kept alive. And be sure to take on board enough food for your family and for all the animals.’ So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him” (Genesis 6:5-8, 13-22 NLT).
After almost a year on the water, the ark came to rest on Mount Ararat in what is now Turkey. The ark reveals both the judgment and mercy of God. His righteous judgment is seen in the destruction of the wicked, but His mercy and care are demonstrated in His preservation of Noah, and, through him, of the human race. The ark is a striking illustration of Christ, who preserves those who trust Him as Lord and Savior from the flood of divine judgment through His grace.
In the New Testament, Jesus spoke of the Flood and of Noah and the ark: “When the Son of Man returns,” warns Jesus, “it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 24:37-39 (NLT).
Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.