The Ark’s Dimensions

A Devotional Series from Genesis

Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)

6/5 Reading Portions: Deuteronomy 9; Psalms 92-93; Isaiah 37; Revelation 7

Genesis 6:15

“This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits.”

FULFILLMENT

What should we take away from the dimensions commanded by our holy and sovereign God for the construction of the ark? It must be important, else He wouldn’t have included it into holy writ. Depending upon the commentary, the size of a cubit may vary from 18-21.5 inches. An ancient cubit is believed to have been the measurement of the forearm—elbow to fingertip. My elbow to fingertip measurement is 21 inches (as a US Navy deep-sea and salvage diver years ago, we often used our body parts for measurements underwater). This would make the ark quite huge. Using the measurements of 18-21 inches, its length would then be between 450-525 feet; its breadth, between 75-87.5 feet; and its height, between feet 45-52.5 feet. Again, you may be thinking as you scratch your noggin, what does this tell us?

Yesterday, we considered how God’s commandments to Noah ministered to you and me as redeemed sinners saved by God’s grace, reviewing and meditating upon those commands to Noah as the truth of Christ’s gospel. Now, let’s look at why our obedience to those commands can be powerfully effective in our lives. It is because it is Christ who is working in you and me to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil 2:13). Now, in these two verses, as we see Noah as a type of Christ, YHVH God is the architect of the ark and Noah is the builder. Because the true Builder the ark was Jesus Messiah (John 15:5); just as the true Builder of a good house is Christ (Psa 127:1); and just as the true Builder of Christ’s church is the Lord Jesus Himself (Matt 16:18).

The exact measurements were given to provide for the safety of graciously redeemed souls because it reflects the exact, simple instructions for redemption by grace through faith in Christ alone. The measurements seem ambiguous to you and me. Nevertheless, every detail in the spiritual realm was both literally and spiritually fulfilled by God’s one and only Son, Jesus Messiah. It was Christ’s eternal work to bring all things to pass in His first coming. It is still Christ’s work to bring all things to pass in His second coming. This is how He works all things together for good to you and me who love Christ (Rom 8:28). This is why we sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and not “Great is my faithfulness.”

This doesn’t mean we do nothing. On the contrary, our resting in Christ is full of gospel activity. Lord willing, we will look at that tomorrow. Amen! Hallelujah! What a Savior!