Meaning of Genesis 6:14

This verse from Genesis 6:14 is a direct command from God to Noah, detailing the construction of the ark, the vessel that would preserve Noah, his family, and representatives of all living creatures from the impending global flood. The instruction to use "cypress wood" (Hebrew: gopher) and to coat the ark with "pitch" (Hebrew: kopher) both inside and out highlights the practical, robust nature of the construction required for survival in an unprecedented cataclysm. This is not a suggestion but a divine blueprint, emphasizing the seriousness of God's judgment and the meticulousness of His provision for salvation. The repeated emphasis on the ark's construction underscores the faith and obedience required of Noah, who was tasked with a monumental and seemingly improbable undertaking based solely on God's word.

Context and Background

The immediate context for this verse is God's assessment of humanity's deep corruption and His decision to bring a flood to cleanse the earth (Genesis 6:5-7). Amidst this declaration of judgment, God finds Noah to be righteous and blameless (Genesis 6:8-9). The subsequent verses (Genesis 6:11-13) describe the pervasive wickedness that necessitated this divine intervention. Therefore, the command to build the ark is God's specific plan for preserving life and initiating a new beginning for humanity and the earth, demonstrating His sovereign power to judge and to save.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Command and Obedience: The verse is a clear example of God giving precise instructions and Noah's subsequent faithful execution of those commands. This highlights the importance of listening to and obeying God's directives, even when they are difficult or seem overwhelming.
• Preservation and Salvation: The ark itself is a symbol of God's provision for salvation. It is the means by which life is preserved through judgment. This foreshadows later instances of God providing a way of escape and salvation for His people.
• Faith in the Unseen: Noah had no visual evidence of a coming flood; he had only God's word. Building the ark required immense faith and commitment to a future event that was not yet apparent.
• Meticulous Design and Protection: The specifications for the ark—its material (cypress wood, known for its durability and resistance to water) and its waterproofing (pitch)—emphasize the thoroughness of God's plan for protection.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, the ark serves as a powerful typology of Christ. Just as the ark was the sole means of salvation from the flood, Jesus Christ is the sole means of salvation from sin and eternal judgment. The "pitch" can be seen as a metaphor for God's covering and protection, much like the atoning blood of Christ covers believers. For believers today, this passage calls for unwavering faith in God's promises and obedience to His will, even when circumstances seem dire or the path ahead is unclear. It reminds us that God provides the means for our deliverance and spiritual preservation.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Genesis 6:14 is foundational to the biblical narrative of redemption. It establishes the pattern of God's judgment on sin and His simultaneous provision of a way of escape. This theme of a remnant being preserved through judgment recurs throughout Scripture, from the escape of Lot from Sodom to the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. The flood narrative sets the stage for God's covenant with humanity, beginning anew with Noah and his descendants, and ultimately leading to the covenant through Abraham and the lineage of the Messiah.

Analogies

The construction of the ark can be likened to a meticulous architect designing a secure shelter against a devastating storm. The ark is God's ultimate blueprint for survival, and Noah's obedience is the building process. Another analogy is a doctor prescribing a specific treatment for a serious illness; adherence to the prescription is vital for recovery. Similarly, the ark was Noah's "prescription" for survival from a world-ending plague of water.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 7:1: "The Lord then said to Noah, 'Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.'" This verse directly follows the instructions for building the ark and shows the culmination of Noah's obedience.
• Hebrews 11:7: "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in obedience, built an ark to save his family. By this faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith." This New Testament passage explicitly highlights the faith aspect of Noah's obedience in building the ark.
• 1 Peter 3:20-21: "...when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Peter explicitly draws a parallel between the ark and baptism, underscoring the ark's salvific significance.
• Matthew 24:37-39: Jesus Himself references the days of Noah, stating, "For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware of it until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." This shows the enduring relevance of the flood event as a sign of God's judgment and the importance of readiness.