103 Noah and the Ark with AnimalsGenesis 6:1221; Genesis 7:211; Genesis 8 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah. Genesis 7:9 Because of the wickedness of the people during Noah's time, God caused a flood to cover the entire earth with water. Noah and his family were righteous, so God spared their lives. He commanded Noah to build an ark so they would not drown. He also commanded Noah to save the animals so that they would not be destroyed. (See Genesis 6:1219.) Noah built an ark big enough to take at least two of every animal on board. He was commanded, "Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female ... and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth" (Genesis 7:23, Genesis 7:8). Noah and his family lived on the ark with the animals for over a year (see Genesis 7:11; Genesis 8:14). When the earth had recovered from the Flood, Noah brought the animals out of the ark so they could "be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth" (Genesis 8:17). SummaryBecause of the righteousness of Noah and his family, the Lord told Noah to build an ark so that his family would be safe during the flooding of the earth. The Lord also commanded Noah to gather each type of animal, male and female, so that they would not be destroyed. All kinds of animals, birds, and creeping things went into the ark. The rains and floods lasted many days. When the water had gone down and the land was dry again, Noah brought the animals out of the ark to multiply upon the earth. Artist, Clark Kelley Price © 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA |