Who closed the door to the ark and what is the significance of it in our lives today?
Today we are going to learn about the significance of the door in the Ark. We will pick up today with Genesis chapter 7:13-16.
This is D-Day!
The Day to enter the Ark.
God previously shared His plan with Noah that he had 120 years to build the ark warning that the great flood would come. That day had finally arrived. Noah, was 600 years old the year that they entered the ark. His wife and their sons and their wives entered the ark. Along with all of the animals appointed by God. Everything organized to the T. Scripture lists again who was going in on this day and that all was going as God had commanded. Why does God repeat these same details? When does He repeat Himself, when it’s important! At the end of verse 16 it says:
“Then The Lord Shut Him In!”
I have never noticed that statement before. God shut the door to the ark. Imagine that for a moment. Why didn’t Noah shut the door? He built everything, Why couldn’t he do it himself? This is so significant for a number of reasons. One is because it is a parallel of what God does for us. He shuts us in and keeps us safe from the storms, when we obey and allow Him to care for us. The ark is also symbolic of God’s protection, provision, and preservation during the storm. God provides “ark” type protection for us. In difficult situations or seasons in our lives He puts us in safely under His wings when we trust in Him, He provides us with His Peace, Presence, Provision, and Protection, when we allow Him too.
Inserting one of my favorite verses:
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4
Maybe a more relatable illustration would be to imagine an umbrella over your head. While you are under it you are protected from the rain. Step out from under it and you will get wet. Same with God, stay under His covering of protection and remain safe from all harm and evil. Step out from under His covering and you no longer have his protection and are exposed to enemy and his attempts to steal, kill, and destroy.
God didn’t just warn Noah about the flood and then say, hey buddy, find you a good boat and be ready. No, God took care of every detail of his protection. But, it wasn’t just about Noah and how he was chosen to be protected.
God chose Noah for a very special assignment. He was entrusted to care for all the non-human creatures that God had made. He chose him to preserve His creation of mankind and the creatures. Thats huge! Noah didn’t have to figure out how to close the massive door that God had him build. It wasn’t up to Noah to provide for his own protection or to shut the door to keep the flood waters out. God took care of that detail too. The Lord shut him and all He cared for in for safety.
Verse 16 gives such comfort that God is taking care of the details. All we have to do is listen, obey, trust, and pray. God wants our help, but needs our obedience.
So let’s dig deeper on who shut the door on the ark. What is the message for us?
On a dark and stormy night, Noah and his family huddled inside the ark, surrounded by creatures of all kinds. As the rain pelted down and the floodwaters rose, the door is then shut: who shut the door on the ark? And what does that message mean for us today?
The answer: God shut the door on the ark. He was the one who brought Noah and his family through the waters of judgment and into a new life. And that same God is with us today. He knows our circumstances and He knows our hearts. Whatever we’re facing right now, He wants to lead us through it to a place of hope and healing. So let’s trust Him to do just that. Scripture tells us that He is faithful even when we are not (1 Corinthians 10:13). So let’s put our faith in him today, knowing that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). When you seem to be drowning in the “flood waters” of your life’s stresses, remember this story, Adonai offers hope and protection for you also. Turn to Him and obey His commands and He will care for you.
Though the account of Noah and the ark is old, it still speaks to us in our day of the faithfulness of God in every situation. Noah, obediently followed God’s instructions by building an ark and gathering each of the animals, but how uncertain he must have felt as the floodwaters rose around him, sealing him inside until God again deemed it time to open the door. The incredible detail found in scripture that God closed the door Himself after ensuring all had entered feels like a reminder of His love for us and the detail and order He always provides for us. Trust the Father with every circumstance in your life; He will faithfully shut doors in your life for your protection, and then will open doors when He is ready for you to see what He has in store for you on the other side, always in His perfect timing.
Who is in control?
Throughout Scripture, it is abundantly clear that God is the one in control of all things. We may think we are in control, and we may fight God for control, but that will one day come to an end as you fall to your knees in humility when you realize it’s time to stop wrestling with Adonai and give Him full control of your life. That’s when He pours His indescribable peace over you, and when you see how much He loves you and the peace you will experience from giving up control to Him, you will wonder why you waited so long to humble yourself and let Him care for you.
It is for this reason that Noah trusted in Him during the Flood. After all, we are told God gave Noah very specific instructions on building the ark according to His command (Genesis 7:16). While Noah played an important role in preparing, ultimately it was God who was in control of when and how He shut the door – not Noah himself. Scripture does not mention anywhere that Noah tried to negotiate with God or try to tell Him how to do things; Noah was humble, righteous, and obedient. This example reminds us of a major principle to remember on our spiritual journey: God is sovereign over all things, including our own lives. We must be obedient to His will so that He will be able to use us for amazing purposes!
The story of Noah and the ark is a familiar one that teaches us a number of lessons
The story of Noah and the ark reminds us of God’s power, His omniscience, and His mercy. It is one of faithfulness and obedience with a reminder that in times of trial, He will never leave us nor forsake us if we obey His commands and follow His ways. Noah exemplifies in his story how willing and obedient he was to do whatever was commanded from Adonai. We can look to Noah as an example of trusting the Lord even when things may seem uncontrollable or uncertain. The lesson for us is if we yield ourselves to Him and obey Him, our lives will be blessed beyond measure. He is faithful even when it seems humanly impossible; He will never leave those who love Him!
And what does this message mean for us today in terms of obeying God’s commands?
When God speaks, it is our responsibility to listen and to follow His commands. Even today in a world that seems chaotic and uncertain, obeying God’s commands will always bring peace and comfort. His will is good and loving; He never gives us orders without purpose or intention. When we live in the center of God’s will, we can expect to experience peace, provision, and protection on a greater level than what the world has to offer. Obeying God is not about getting something for ourselves but about anchoring our lives in a faithful trust that He knows what is best for us as He uses us to help others. As believers, this should be our response: complete obedience according to His Word no matter what difficulties may come. This decision brings with it indescribable peace.
Are we like Noah, obediently following His instructions even when we don’t understand them fully?
As followers of Adonai, it’s not enough to just have faith in His words alone. We must be like Noah, who despite having faith still obeyed God’s instructions even when things didn’t make sense. To truly honor God, we must strive every day to demonstrate our love for Him through faithful obedience. Rather than try to understand why something is asked of us, let us remain focused on what is asked and obediently submit ourselves to His Word. Let us find comfort in knowing that even when we don’t understand His plans completely, He will always provide a way of fulfillment and a path that leads to righteousness.
Or are we like those who were left outside the ark, refusing to listen until it’s too late?
While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the chaos of life, let us not forget that our time on earth is precious and fleeting. No matter how big or small our troubles are, we can all benefit from taking a moment to step back and listen to what Adonai is trying to tell us in this story. For those of us who dedicate ourselves to pursuing wisdom, the Bible offers many scriptures that serve as reminders of God’s unfailing mercy. In the story of Noah and the ark for instance, those who refused to listen were ultimately left behind in a world that was completely destroyed. Let us not follow their example – cling to the Father, and when He says, prepare for what’s to come, we do so.
This reminds me of the story of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” Matthew 25
This happened when the earth was flooded. When people saw the flood coming and wanted on the boat it was to late. God had already “shut the door.”
Jesus says He will come like a thief in the night. We won’t know the day or the hour. We must be ready! When you see Him coming it will be to late to turn to Him, He will be coming for those who are His, who have been obedient and obeyed His commands who are prepared anxiously awaiting His return.
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.“ Matthew 24:42-44
Don’t forget about Jesus
The door to the ark also represents Jesus our Messiah.
“I am the door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved.” John 10:9
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
God made a point to show us that He had Noah create the door, and then to show that He was the one to close the door. When Jesus returns to take His faithful ones home, it will be God who shuts the door to evil once and for all.
Which side of the door do you plan to be on?
Turn to Him today and repent. No matter how close you are to Him, it’s still important to repent and go all-in with Him. Allow Him to care for you and prepare you to be with Him on the inside when this life comes to an end.
In summary,
If we want to be like Noah and enter into God’s rest, obeying even when we don’t understand, then we need to trust the Father in all circumstances. Even when His commands seem strange or difficult, we must remember that He knows what is best for us. When we follow His instructions, no matter how hard they may be, we will always be safe. But if we refuse to listen and continue following our own wayward path, eventually it will lead to destruction. Just as those who were outside the ark drowned in the floodwaters, so too those who rebel against God will perish. If you are struggling today, know that you can always turn back to the Father. He is waiting with open arms, ready to forgive you and help you start again. Repent of your sin and study the whole Bible from Genesis 1:1 to the last word in Revelation. In its pages you will find everything you need for eternal life (2 Peter 1:3).
God bless you.