Genesis 7:16, “One male and one female of every living thing came, just as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord closed the door behind them.”
Have you ever visited the Ark Encounter in Kentucky yet? I have a couple of times now and it is truly a wonder to see. Before going the first time I had my expectations. I grew up reading about Noah and the flood. I taught about it countless times. Yet, what I saw in my mind couldn't compare to actually seeing it in person. Yes, I know the architects and creator of this encounter took some liberties because the Bible left many things up to our imagination. But one thing they stayed true was the Biblical measurements that God had instructed Noah. My husband is over 6 feet tall and standing outside the base of the ark made him look like an ant.
Like the ark from the Bible there was one big door on the side. Of course, as spectators, we all entered another way, but in the Biblical account there was only one door through which everyone was invited to enter. While walking through the ark visitors can walk by the actual ‘ark’ door, even stand in front of it and take pictures. Now, do you think this was your ordinary seven- eight-foot door we walked through daily? Oh no, this door was huge and being made of solid wood I would presume quite heavy. The Bible doesn't say much about the door except that it was the way into the ark and that is where the animals entered.
We may have lots of interesting questions of how, and who, or what, when it comes to the ark, but today's verse is one that has caused me to wonder. ‘The Lord shut them in’. Or as some versions say, ‘The Lord closed the door behind them’.
Well, how did He do it? Once inside, what did Noah and his family see? Did it sound like a normal door closing? We don't know.
What we do know is that when the Lord shut the door it was secure, God sealed Noah, his family, and the animals inside. There is one thing we can be certain of, once the Lord shuts you in, you are in.
While the storms raged outside. While the thunder boomed through the skies and the waves crashed against the boat tossing it this way and that, while the waters rose higher and higher. I believe Noah and his family felt comfort knowing that the Lord shut the door and they were safe and secure, because the Lord promised to keep them that way.
When thinking about the one door on the ark I am reminded of Jesus saying, “I am the door and the person who enters through me will be saved...”
Jesus didn't say, ‘I am a door but there are lots of doors. Everyone could find these doors but not everyone will find the same door, just do what feels right for you.’
Jesus didn't say, ‘I am the door of salvation at the moment, but other doors are coming that people can enter through. In the end all doors lead to salvation.’
Jesus said He is THE door and there is only one door. Scripture even says, “woe to those that go the way of Cain; go to those who rush into the error of Balaam; or perish in the rebellion of Korah”- Jude 1:11. You just don't make up a way, there has only ever been one door of salvation.
When God instructed the sanctuary to be built there was only one door in which to enter in order to receive forgiveness and salvation. When the flood was upon the people God instructed Noah to build an ark with one door to enter and find salvation from destruction. God was showing that there has always only been one way, one door, one salvation for mankind.
The door also means safety. Jesus again states, I am the door or gate. When the sheep are inside the pen, they were safe once the door was closed, they were protected from the outside. I have chickens who walk around their open pen and can go in and out of their coop through their one door. At night once they all are inside, I close the door locking them in, why? Because once they're closed inside no predator can get to them, they are safe. Jesus is our door spiritually speaking, where we can be sure to know we are safe and secure. Jesus has built a hedge of protection around each person that accepts Him. Jesus is saying He is the door protecting us from thieves, robbers, and those wanting to hurt us.
This is a verse I have come to like also, John 10:27-30, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand. My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
How secure and safe did the sheep feel? How secure and safe should those who claim Jesus feel?
Jesus says, ‘no one’ can snatch us from His hand. We are held firmly in His grip when we choose Jesus and choose to walk with Him. We are sealed, shut in, by the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
It is not the fact that you lock your house that keeps you safe at night. It is not your good driving that keeps you safe on the roads. Neither is it your healthy eating habits that keep you healthy. Yes, these all can assist your life, but it's only God who can shut you in and shut out the devil who seeks to devour you.
Yet there is something we all, as Christians, need to understand from our story and Jesus’ invitation. If we really understand this invitation, we will also understand that the door will one day be closed. Going back to Noah's day, Noah spent a good portion of his life preaching about God, the flood, the destruction, and how to find salvation. One day God had to shut the door and let His plan unfold. Today is no different. The door of salvation is open for all who want to come in. The scripture also reveals that the day will come when the door is shut, for His plan to unfold- Luke 3:24-27; Matthew 24:42,44; 1 Peter 4:7.
Today enter the gate, accept Jesus and be saved.
I hope you have been able to join me as we have been studying Walking with God Bible study. It's always nice to study the people in the Bible along with the verses and learn how God was with them and how they are just like you and me and had to learn to walk in faith like we do. Today let's continue with our next study with Joseph as we learn to walk in forgiveness.
Study 3- Walking in Forgiveness- https://www.docdroid.net/cT3gJU1/week-3-docx
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