The ark is a chest or coffer to keep things sure, secret and secure. Two arks were built in the Bible. The first was built by Noah, Genesis 6:13-22. The second was built by Moses, wherein the two tables of the law, Aaron's rod, and the pot of manna were kept, Exodus 25:1-16. However, this narrative will be about the ark of Noah. Noah's ark is a large ship or vessel which Noah built to save himself, his family, and two of every type of animals from the flood, Genesis 6:14-15; Hebrews 11:7.

In Genesis chapter 6, we find Noah, a righteous man in the eyes of God, living in a time when the Earth was filled with corruption and violence. God decides to bring a great flood to cleanse the Earth of its wickedness. He instructs Noah to build an ark to save himself, his family, and a pair of every kind of animals. Noah's unwavering commitment to following God's instructions, even when faced with doubt and skepticism from others, serves as a powerful example of fulfilling one's purpose and overcoming challenges through belief in a higher power. Noah's obedience and faith allowed him to carry out God's will and ensure the survival of life on Earth. The directives of Genesis 6:14-16, not only narrates the prelude of the great flood, but also underscores themes of obedience, faith, and trust in divine intervention, and salvation, which are pertinent today as they were in Noah's time.

The details specifications of the ark- its dimensions, materials and compartments - invite us to consider God's meticulous attention to detail. The length of the ark was 300 cubits (about 450 feet). A cubit is an ancient measurement of length, about 45 cm or 1.5 feet or 18inches or the length from the elbow to the end of the fingers. The width was 50 cubits (about 75 feet), and the height was 30 cubits (about 45 feet). The height will be 120 cubits (about 180 feet), from the ground because the ark was a three -story building, Genesis 6:15-16. The overall dimensions of the ark resemble the dimension of a massive edifice. The ark was square -cornered, chest like in shape, with an enormous capacity for cargo. The ark measured L×B×H; 450×75×180 feet.

In 1609, Peter Jansen of Horn in Holland built a vessel that can contain a space of 3,600,000 cubit feet. But, Noah's ark can contain a space of 6,075,000 cubit feet. Malcolm McLean introduced the idea of container ship in 1956. And the largest containership is MSC Irina which can contain 24,346 TEU. However, the ark Noah built had the capacity to contain 151,875 FEU or 303,750 TEU. TEU refer to containers with twenty-foot equivalent unit. While FEU is an acronym for forty-foot equivalent unit. Both terms describe the size of a shipping container and are used as standardized measures for the amount of volume being shipped. Man did not design the ark, but God did! God used Noah and his faithfulness to build this perfectly designed ship demonstrating God's intent to work through humanity to redeem his creation.

Meanwhile, the Bible says God destroyed the old world, but saved Noah and his family, 2 Peter 2:5. The old world, referred to, is a sub-set of the world Earth. A sub-set is a smaller group of people or things formed from the members of a larger group. There are seven worlds: the Lights; the Heaven; the Earth; the Other Lights; the Beasts; Man; and Rest, Genesis 1; 2:1-3; Hebrews 1:3. On the Earth, there is the old world and there is the new world. The old world is the world of the ungodly, the unrighteous. And the new world is the world of the godly, the righteous. Both worlds are represented as the the good seeds and the tares in the book of Matthew. The old world and the new world will continue to exist side by side until the time of the harvest of the world. Then, there shall be a separation; those of the old world shall go into everlasting punishment. While those of the new world will go into life eternal.

Subsequently, we need to carefully maintain and structure our lives through prayer, Bible reading, and community involvement. It's a reminder that our spiritual fortitude should withstand whatever we face today: be it personal trials, societal upheaval, or global crisis. The ark itself, in this narrative, serves as a vessel of salvation much like the cross in the New Testament. Both stand as physical embodiments of God's rescue plan.

When Jesus speaks in John 14:2 about preparing a place for us, He assures us of a sanctuary, akin to the safe haven the ark provided. Just as Noah faithfully obeyed God's command to build an ark, even though it seemed absurd to others, we too can demonstrate our obedience by heeding God's word and living according to His will. Despite the challenges or ridicules we may face, staying true to God's commands and standing firm in our faith, can bring honour and glory to His name. We can better navigate the temptations of a corrupt world and remain steadfast in our faith by immersing ourselves in prayer, seeking guidance from the Bible, and staying connected to a community of believers. Building a deep relationship with God through daily communication with Him and aligning ourselves with His teachings can empower us to resist the pressure of the world around us and live in a way that reflects His love and righteousness. Just as Noah's obedience and faithfulness led to his preservation and the fulfillment of God's plan, our obedience in a corrupt world can lead to blessings, protection, and the advancement of the kingdom of God. Shalom!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Pastor K. C. Akano,
Love Kingdom Assembly (LKA),
Umudurunneke, Umorlu-Isu,
Nwangele LGA,
Imo State,
Nigeria.
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