LIGHT OF VISION TO BUILD (1)

“Make yourself an ARK of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. And this is HOW you shall make it – Genesis 6: 14-15a

Noah received the LIGHT of VISION to BUILD an Ark to rescue his lineage: “Make yourself an ARK of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. 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” (Gen.6: 14-15). God can be very detailed with His Instructions. He told Noah to make an Ark and gave him specific instructions of HOW the Ark should be built. God reminded Noah of the impending judgement by flood and that everything on earth would perish, except all that enter into the Ark. He also established a covenant to save Noah and his family. Noah demonstrated great faith by building an Ark amidst an unbelieving generation, trusting that God would do what He said.

Hebrews 11:7 describes Noah’s great faith: “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of righteousness which is according to faith.” God warned Noah of things not visible to physical sight but perceptible to his spiritual eyes. He believed and obeyed – constructed the Ark! The word “ark” in Hebrew means, “chest,” “box” or “coffin.” It was not shaped like a boat and could not be steered like a modern ship. God gave detailed specifications of the Ark’s dimensions – length, breadth and height, shape, rooms, materials, levels, and openings (vv.14-16).

Researchers confirm that God designed the Ark with the appropriate dimensions for the use He intended. God used Noah and his faithfulness to build this perfectly designed vessel demonstrating His intent to work through humanity to redeem creation (Psa.8). After telling Noah about the Ark and the flood, God established a covenant with him, that he, his wife, his sons and their wives, would all the saved (vv.17-18). Noah’s narrative reveals the need to understand a Vision by seeking clarification on specific instructions. The Lord that gave the Vision will give the details of HOW it is to be accomplished. God is not the Author of Ambiguity or Confusion. What’s important is that we’re open to His Spirit.

God did similarly when He gave Moses the Vision to build the Tabernacle and its furnishings, with specifications on the kinds of materials to be used and details of everything he was to make; including those that He had endowed with requisite skills (Exo.25: 8-9; 31: 1-6).

Beloved, in discovering and fulfilling God’s Vision to Build the Arks of Rescue for our lives, careers, homes, ministries, and other life-ventures, let’s understand that He will be specific on what He wants us to do, and will gladly provide the details, if we ask Him!