In Noah taking all these animals on board the ark to be saved, there is a contrast with Genesis 1. Genesis 1 is about creation and here Noah is part of a work of new creation. Out of the sin of this world, God was starting a new world. The world in the years after the flood would revert back to very sinful behaviour, but what is happening here points forward to God’s final and perfect work of new creation. A time will come when out of this world of sin and corruption, God is going to save His people for a new world, which will not be a short term solution but for all of eternity.

This chapter goes into great detail about Noah and his family entering the ark (v1, 7, 13), all the animals who were brought in (v2-3, 8-9, 14-16) and then the flood coming and the length of the rain (v4, 10-12, 17-24). The flood is presented here as a real historical event. It is here to teach us that sin really did bring judgment and also that God really did provide a way of salvation.

In a world today of such apparent doom, it is wonderful to know that God will provide a way for his people to continue in a far better world. We need to look at what is happening in the world around us with faith in God’s plans. We also need to be sure that as Noah entered the salvation provided that we too enter the salvation provided in Jesus.