The Noahic Covenant: THE ARK God's Provision for safety 

Genesis 6:18; 9:8-17

The Setting: The Noahic Covenant comes within the context of the great flood. It is recorded that “the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and  that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen 6:5), making Him “sorry He had made man” and grieving Him in His heart (Gen 6:6). As a result, “the Lord said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky” (Gen 6:7).  But, in contrast to the rest of mankind, it notes that “Noah found grace  in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen 6:8), and as a result, God instructed him to build an ark by means of which he, his family, and all those that entered, which included “two of every living thing” would be spared. Significant aspects of God’s original creation of earth were reversed by the great flood. What we can ascertain by the scripture is God in His wisdom first wants and desires man to do things His way instead of our own. Should we do things His way, He provides and takes care of us. Should we not listen and not be willing to at least seek Him and try to understand His way then we sort of become gods and do our own thing, which will always bring utter destruction and separation from God. Yet through the flood, we can see that if we do follow Him and His precepts He provides an escape and safety. The nature of this covenant is revealed in three passages of the Genesis account: 6:17-22; 8:20-22; and 9:8-17. This is not to suggest that there is more than one covenant. 

The text (Gen 9:9) is literally rendered, “And I, behold I am utterly establishing My covenant with you,"  leaving no doubt as to its author. The great flood came because of disobedience and wickedness of people by the hand of God (Gen 6:17); and assures Noah and his family that He would also provide protection under the Shadow of the Almighty. God’s authorization is reasserted five times throughout the covenant (Gen 9:12, 13, 15, 16, 17). Walking, not just believing in His covenants provide a way for man to be cared for, provided for and led to a safe place if man follows. As with all covenants there are the blessings of the covenant but also consequences for not keeping the covenant. In the Old Testament we find the sacrifice of the lamb for the forgiveness of sin, because the cost of breaking covenant with God is the cost is and was a life. We do know that Jesus paid the price for us, but part of that covenant is to be the good bride, die to self, seek Him and represent His will and ways to all. 

The Ark also was prophetic as it told of God's provision in the Ark of the Covenant and the Temple of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament for all those that entered covenant with God through the Son. Part of the scripture in dealing with the Ark was to include instruction on how to build the Ark, just as Moses was given instruction by God on how to build the Tabernacle and Paul in the New Testament in Ephesians in how to build and edify all parts of the body through God's ministry on earth. 

Initially the covenant was established with Noah and his family (Gen 9:9). Obviously, since only Noah’s immediate family was preserved through the flood, this covenant extended to all mankind who would subsequently populate the earth. But then God enlarged the list to include “every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth” (Gen 9:10). The promise by God in v. 11: “and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood.” God's promise was to never curse the earth again. This led to next part of the covenant in circumcision, which was also called a “sign of the covenant” (Gen 17 :11). The institution of the Sabbath is also so intimated (Ezek 20:12, 20). 

The Noahic Covenant is the second real covenant referenced in Scripture. Its first mention is in Gen 6:18 where God reveals to Noah His intention to destroy the whole earth. It should be noted here that God also told Jonah that destruction would come to Nineveh also because of their wickedness and in the Book of Revelation we see the end in total and complete destruction. It is important to understand part of God's Covenant with man in general is to know that God always sends His true prophets in advance to warn the people the destruction is coming. The people around Noah had years to choose to go into the Ark before God closed the door. Nineveh was warned by Jonah and as a result Nineveh repented and turned to God and was not destroyed for another 120 years when they went back to their old ways and wickedness. A final note is the Book of Revelation as we all know that it is all coming to and end sooner or later, but the condition put on the great tribulation even beginning is that His people's hearts wax cold (Rev 3:15-15). Not only towards God but others as well. The solution to this of course is for His people to be Hot for God, His ways and His covenants.  

As a sign of the covenant, God placed a rainbow in the cloud (Gen 9:13, 14, 16, 17). As with other covenant signs, this too was a repeatable evidence of God’s promise to Noah. The sign although beautiful, contains an element of the judgment that had been passed and a reminder for the future of the destruction if we forget. While circumcision (Gen 17:11) and the Sabbath (Exodus 31:13-17; Ezek 20:12, 20), as signs of a covenant, were intended to remind man of God’s covenant requirements, this sign is said to be for the purpose of reminding God (Gen 9:15, 16). The use of the rainbow as a sign of the promise that the earth would not again be destroyed by a global flood; however it is important to know and remember the global flood as there are still local floods on occasion. However, we are warned in scripture that sooner or later the earth will be destroyed by fire (2 Pet 3:10-11; Rev 21:1). It should be considered that natural disasters are a sign of the times announcing the end, however with this is the promise that the body has the power of God to hold off the end if we become or stay hot for God (Rev 3:15-16) and His ways, covenants and move as Christ, one body, with Jesus as the head. 

One other thing that came out of the Noahic Covenant at the end was seeing the dove letting the occupants of the Ark know that there was dry land nearby. This of course as we know is a sign of the Holy Spirit and that we in the New Testament are to follow the Holy Spirit if we understand His ways.