God gives Noah further instructions for the ark. Two of every kind (a male and female) shall come to the ark to be saved. Birds, animals, and creeping things were to be kept alive. Then God told Noah to store food for both his family and the livestock. Noah did all that God commanded.
God intended for the earth to be populated with people and animals after the flood. Recent studies estimate that the total number of animals and flying creatures at that time to be around 1,500. This means that Noah had over 7,000 animals on the ark.[1]
Noah did not have to travel to get the animals to come to the ark. The animals arrived at the ark when summoned by God. God brought two of every kind, male and female, to be saved on the ark. God also told Noah to gather enough food for himself, his family, and all of the animals.
The key theme of Genesis chapter six is that “Noah obeyed God.” Building the ark was a huge undertaking and took many years to complete, but Noah did not give up. He persevered. Noah was obedient and trusted God. Noah’s great example of faith is even mentioned in the New Testament (Hebrews 11).
Biblical Text
19 “And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 “Of the birds after their kind, and of the animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. 21 “As for you, take for yourself some of all food which is edible, and gather it to yourself; and it shall be for food for you and for them.” 22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did.
[1] Jeanson, N. (2016, May). Which Animals Were On the Ark with Noah? Retrieved from: https://answersingenesis.org/creation-science/baraminology/which-animals-were-on-the-ark-with-noah/
Check out our other commentaries:
-
Matthew 23:23-24 meaning
In His fifth woe to the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus chastises the Pharisees for paying attention to tiny aspects of their rules even as they...... -
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 meaning
Paul sent Timothy to check in on the Thessalonians, to strengthen them in the midst of their persecutions. He reminds them that they should expect...... -
2 Timothy 2:8-13 meaning
Paul shows that even though he is imprisoned, the word of God cannot be suppressed. Paul suffers for Christ because he wants others to believe...... -
Deuteronomy 5:19 meaning
The LORD commands His people not to steal....... -
Matthew 2:9-12 meaning
The magi continue following the star until it leads them to Jesus. They worship Jesus and present him with three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.......
