A Good Wife

The LORD then said to Noah,

“Go into the ark, you and your whole family,

because I have found you righteous in this generation.”

Genesis 7:1

Noah was 480 years old when God told him to build the ark. It took him 120 years to build this "graphic illustration of the message of his life”*. (Stay fit! When you are old, God may ask you to do something really big!)

So, what were Noah’s wife, his three sons and daughters-in-law doing all of this time? Surely they were doing their part in the preparation: storing up food, preparing for the families’ clothing and personal needs, and helping to furnish the various animals’ quarters for this first cruise ship journey, all the time hearing the sarcasm of their neighbors. Let’s call Mrs. Noah “A Good Wife”. (Forgive me, please, but can’t you hear Tammy Wynette singing “Stand by Your Man”?)

Genesis 6:8 tells us that Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Given the rest of the story, I believe that Noah led his family in obedience to God. Picture yourself during these hard years of preparation. See yourself as the rain begins to fall; as the animals come and enter the ark; as you enter this boat and the door is closed. Can you hear the panicky cries of the voices outside?

After almost a year in the ark, the whole family came out. They were all alone! Noah and his good wife became the second father and mother of the human race. Wow! We serve a God who is faithful to those who obey him. Only a few may receive the historical recognition of a Noah, but all of us can be included in His plans. God uses us little people to make big changes, He sees us through the storms, and blesses us with a one-of-a-kind rainbow!

(Remember: the ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic was built by professionals.)

Lynda S.      

*Life Application Study Bible, page 21.