A Roof for the Ark
A Devotional Series from Genesis
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
6/6 Reading Portions: Deuteronomy 10; Psalm 94; Isaiah 38; Revelation 8
Genesis 6:16
“Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks.”
LOVE
Besides the dimensions for the ark, Noah was instructed to first make a roof for the ark; second, to set a door into the ark’s side; and third, to make three decks within the ark. We need to keep in mind that this ark was not a ship. The ark was meant to float upon the waters that covered the earth fifteen cubits above the tallest mountain (Gen 7:20), and to protect the passengers within the ark from the storms of judgment poured out upon the earth (Gen 6:7). The Hebrew word for ark is תֵּבָה (tā-VAH), which means “box.” This reflects our salvation in Christ. A tendency of our corrupt flesh is to selfishly seek “blessings” from God, when salvation is the blessing. The ark represents the blessings we already have in Christ Jesus. We are blessed with the presence of the crucified, risen, and living God (Heb 13:5); the only thing better than that is to see our Savior face to face (1 Cor 13:12), when our faith becomes sight through glorified eyes (2 Cor 5:7; 1 Jn 3:2).
Yesterday, I mentioned that our entire salvation, which is represented by the ark, was built by the Lord Jesus Christ; and He continues to build it, as it is written:
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
Yet we are not passive while Christ works in us to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil 2:13). The spiritual lessons from this verse are many, but today, we will only focus upon the first of three things.
Noah made a roof for the ark. As redeemed sinners, you and I are to think, act, and speak with the banner of Christ’s love over us. It is written,
He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love. Song of Solomon 2:4
We teach this song to our children, but have we truly considered what it means? That banner of Christ’s love is His imputed righteousness. When we are saved by God’s grace and brought to His banqueting house, the Heavenly Father sees you and me through Christ’s righteous life lived and His perfect sacrificed offered. He sees us through Christ’s shed blood, which cleanses us from all unrighteousness (Heb 9:22; 1 Jn 1:8-10). How do we build this roof of grace in our lives? We find the answer here:
1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
We renew our minds with the truth of Christ’s love (Rom 12:2b); that is, we must meditate often upon God’s grace through Christ, and Christ’s imputed righteousness. This will cause us to behave with our whole being as living sacrifices unto God (Rom 12:1), worshiping Him in all we think, say, and do (1 Cor 10:31). Moreover, these meditations will transform us so that we are not conformed to the world (Rom 12:2a). And as we grow in grace and are strengthened in faith by these meditations upon Christ’s gospel and His imputed righteousness, we will begin to discern more easily God’s good, perfect, and acceptable will for our individual lives (Rom 12:2c).
Hallelujah! What a Savior!