Noah: More Than Just “The Ark Builder”
- Cody Chesser
- May 1
- 2 min read
If I were to ask you who Noah was, what would your answer be? If you’re like me—or like many others—you’d probably say, “Oh, he’s the guy who built the ark!”
But what if I followed up with: Tell me something else about him.
Once we point out that Noah built the ark… what else do we really have to say about him?
The Bible certainly has more to say. Take a look at Hebrews 11:7:
“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
Are you familiar with this verse—or at least the chapter? Hebrews 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith.” It’s a list of men and women who stand out key individuals when it comes to faithfulness to God. So if Noah is listed among them, why is it that the only thing we usually remember about him is the ark?
Noah was one of 16 people highlighted in Hebrews 11. Clearly, there was a lot right about his life. Clearly, he is a great example for anyone who seeks to follow God.
Noah’s Obedience Was Complete
Noah wasn’t just a builder—he was obedient to every command God gave:
Genesis 6:22 – “He did all that God commanded him.”
Genesis 7:5 – “Noah did all that the LORD had commanded.”
Genesis 6:14–16 – God gave specific instructions: three decks, one window, one door—and Noah didn’t add or subtract a thing.
Noah respected God’s Word enough to follow every detail. He didn’t modify, question, or improve on God’s plan. He simply obeyed.
We may not be called to build arks, but we are called to follow God’s commands with the same respect and precision.
He Obeyed Through The Unknown
Think about how wild the request must have sounded: “Build a massive boat to survive water falling from the sky and flooding the earth.” Yet Noah did it.
The ark was 450 feet long, and building it likely took years. He gathered animals, prepared food, and stayed committed—all while probably being mocked.
And he did it all alone. Genesis 6:12–13 says the world was corrupt, but God found favor with Noah and saved only his family.
He Was a Preacher in a Wicked World
2 Peter 2:5 calls Noah a preacher of righteousness. We don’t have a record of what he said, but you can imagine the ridicule he faced. People likely saw him as crazy as he warned of an impending world-wide flood.
But Noah stood firm—even when no one else did. He obeyed fully, unconditionally, and from the heart. After the flood, Genesis 8:20 says he built an altar in thankfulness, and Hebrews 11:7 notes he was “moved with godly fear.”
Final Thoughts
Noah wasn’t just an ark builder—he was a man of total obedience. He did all God commanded, without question, even when it was hard, even when it meant being alone.
Today, God isn’t asking us to build a boat, but he would expect the same kind of Obedience.
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