Touchpoint Bible Study

Noah

Noah is the son of Lamech and the grandson of Methusaleh. He was known as an obedient servant of God, who followed the Lord's commandment to build an Ark that would protect the creation of the living animals of earth from the wrath of God's judgment of flooding and destroying the wickedness of the earth. 

Noah's Ark [91]

The name of Noah represents comfort or rest; and can be representative after the flood was finished, and God placed the rainbow into the sky to symbolize that he would never flood the earth again in such a way. (Gen 9:9-11) Noah would save a male and female individual from every living species of the earth upon the ark. Noah was recorded as a righteous man, following through his faith, when it was not popular to do so. He was recorded in the book of Ezekiel alongside Daniel and Job as men that could be saved by their own righteousness. [27] (Eze. 14:20) Noah, the tenth descendent from Adam, lived to 950 years old and was 500 years old when he had his three sons: Japheth, Shem, and Ham. At the time of the flood, he was 600 years old. One theory related to the current decreased lifespans seen in this generation is the massive chromosomal loss related to longevity that was present prior to the flood. 

Noah's first event post-flood was to build an alter to God. He was recorded as creating the first vineyard and also being the first drunk. He was discovered by his son Ham, who ran and told his brothers resulting in God's curse upon Ham's son Canaan (Gen. 9:22-26) rather than taking care of Noah and covering his nakedness. 

Noah curses Ham Joseph Schakewits [92]

Noah survived the flood with a total of 8 individuals. Himself and his wife, alongside his three sons and their wives. All of mankind are descendants from Noah's lineage amongst these three sons. Noah is mentioned in both the Hebrew Bible and Quran, as well as being mentioned in the discovered Dead Sea scrolls. In the pseudepigrapha Book of Jubilees, Noah is mentioned as being instructed on how to heal individuals from an angel in order so that his children can overcome the "offspring of the watchers." This theme was carried into the book of Enoch. 

The ark that Noah built was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits tall; divided into three sections. These sections have been hypothesized by different religious groups to represent the three kingdoms: Heaven, earth, and hell. The length of the ark is three times the length of the tabernacle and the temple, and to some Christian groups represent the redemption of human life and being able to be chosen and serve alongside God. The ark was produced from gopher wood and sealed with pitch. 

Inside Noah's Ark [93]

The rabbinic interpretation included that clean and unclean animals were separated on different levels and that the animal refuse was collected and removed from either the top or bottom portion of the boat. The animals that kneeled before Noah were considered clean and surrounded Noah. Another common belief was that the lions would provide him protection during construction of the ark. Noah was not considered to sleep, but rather caring for the animals throughout the entire day. Upon the completion of the flood, the ravens were considered problematic, not wanting to leave the ark, but God placed special attention on this species knowing that eventually the ravens would feed the prophet Elijiah. 

There are several interpretations of the symbolic nature of the ark in the Christian faith. The epistle of Peter compared the ark to that of the body of Christ. As the ark was considered baptized in the water, in the same light compared to Christ announcing the importance of baptism for salvation. 

Early Christian artists depicted Noah standing in a small box on the waves, symbolizing God saving the Christian Church in its turbulent early years. Augustine of Hippo (354–430), in his work City of God, demonstrated that the dimensions of the Ark corresponded to the dimensions of the human body, which according to Christian doctrine is the body of Christ and in turn the body of the Church. Jerome (circa 347–420) identified the raven, which was sent forth and did not return, as the "foul bird of wickedness" expelled by baptism; more enduringly, the dove and olive branch came to symbolize the Holy Spirit and the hope of and eventual peace. The olive branch remains a secular and religious symbol of peace even today. [26]

Olive branch symbolizing peace [94]