“Make Yourself an Ark”: A Lenten Reflection on Noah

The span of forty days appears throughout the Bible. Twice Moses remains on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights: first, in confirmation of a new covenant (c.f. Ex. 24:18); second, to receive the Ten Commandments (c.f. Ex. 34:28). Prior to Goliath’s defeat by David, the Israelites stood, challenged by the Philistines, for forty days (c.f. 1 Sam. 17:16). 

As the Church embarks on the Liturgical season of Lent, She will hear of Jesus’ temptation by Satan in the desert—also forty days (c.f. Mt. 4).

These periods isolate the Biblical heroes from the rest of society, placing strain on them by means of hunger, discomfort, even anxiety. However, the four instances have one redeeming commonality: aside from this individual, the world goes on. This duration, for Moses or the Israelite army or Christ, will pass. The Father holds the rest of the human race in His hands, and His Plan will prevail. It will overcome this minuscule moment.

Recall the sixth chapter of Genesis, the Call of Noah, and proceed.

Pretty heavy stuff, that is, God’s destroying everything and everyone.

God’s first command to Noah after sharing His decision to obliterate the world is “make yourself an ark” (Gen. 6:14) to carry himself, his family, and two of every species of animal while a flood covers the land.

Unlike the trials of Moses, the Israelite army, and Jesus, Noah is tasked with a peculiar invitation. If he accepts God’s command, there will be no civilization to which he may return. No community, no culture, no certainty. Noah’s “yes” requires all that he is and all that he knows.

Make yourself an ark.

The command may be read differently (adhering ultimately with reverence to the intended transmission by the divine Sophia). God says:

Make yourself an ark.

Author and theologian C. S. Lewis presents in Mere Christianity a nautical metaphor for the human moral journey, a fleet of ships sailing towards the same destination. Two factors successfully drive these spiritual vessels from Point A to Point B. First, each individual ship must be soundly constructed; if assembly is weak, the vessel will collapse. Second, navigation must be critically calculated; if consciousness of obstacles or other liners proves poor, one rogue ship may not only cause its own demise but also the demise of others.

Fashion yourself into an ark, but not by your standards—by Mine.

Chapters 6 and 7 of Genesis feature the beautiful literary pattern seen often throughout Scripture: God commands, and His servant listens. Noah does not question God’s architectural design (c.f. Gen. 6:22), or His inclusion in the ark of unclean animals (c.f. Gen. 7:5), or His desired use of cubits as a base of measurement. God commands, and Noah abides by these instructions. For Noah, no task is too strenuous, too consuming, too ridiculous. The servant of God labors for righteousness; he allows his vocation to overwhelm him; he dwells in the reckless care of the Lord.

This Lent, make yourself an ark.

Begin with a structure of strong materials sourced from above: prayer, fasting, almsgiving. Build this vessel to His standards—not the world’s—and let His Light shine through it (c.f. Gen. 6:16). 

Create depth in your soul. Do not be satisfied by spiritual superficiality, a single-level ark. Fill your soul prolifically (c.f. Gen. 6:19). And if God invites a challenge into your life—an unclean animal—trust that He will equip you with the proper defense.

Leave behind that which is not favorable in the sight of the Lord. Let God’s waters overtake your iniquity, shortcomings, mistrust, and disbelief. The Lord conquers all that brings death. This Lent, He is creating you anew into life with Him.

Sail your ark soundly on the world’s unpredictable waters. Be wary of obstacles: immoral short-cuts, instant gratification, concupiscence of the flesh and mind. Show neighboring vessels the way to the destination. Allow no action of yours to cause another’s misstep.

Accept no distraction from the land from which you embarked: secularity, indifference, complacency. Let God’s hand steer, and comply with His will—for forty days, for forty years, forever.

Servant of God, your task mirrors that of Noah’s. Start from scratch, and build yourself. Listen for the Lord’s instruction, and observe every command; none is too demanding, too trivial, too silly. In your Yes, surrender yourself—all that you have and all that you are. God has a world to recreate, and this Lent, instead of a flood, He is using you.