11I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.
Genesis 9:11
Did you or someone you know decorate their childhood nurseries with scenes from the Biblical account of Noah’s ark? I suppose the picturesque scenes of serene and docile animals walking two-by-two do often make for pleasant and homely room décor.
However, when we actually read the account from Genesis of Noah and the Great flood, we come to realize that this event was perhaps the most horrifying and deadly in all of human history. Literally EVERY man and beast in God’s creation dies the cruel death of drowning—save of course Noah, his family, and the animals with him on the giant boat.
In fact, this event is so terrifying that God makes a promise to never do such a thing again.
However, the descendants of Noah proved to be no better than the descendants of Adam, and God DID need to figure out a plan for humanity to be made right again. This time, however, instead of saving only a single family, he would make a plan of salvation for the entire world.
This much better plan, of course, centers on the death of resurrection of God’s Son Jesus, as deliverance is offered to the world through the ark of the Church (the ceilings of many church buildings are shaped like upside-down boats) by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So, if you would like, go ahead an decorate your children’s rooms with Noah décor. Then, when your children ask what these figures are all about, tell them not only of how God saved Noah and his family, but of how He has saved your family as well.
Prayer: Gracious God, you saved Noah and his family, and you have saved me. I am forever grateful to you! Amen.
Contributed by Pastor Jarod Koenig