The Time Log for Noah in the Ark
Noah preached and warned about the flood for 120 years while building the ark. This period was followed by more than a year in the vessel. During the first weeks and months there was continual incessant rain, tempest, and great upheavals of the earth. Then after five months, the vessel finally rested on the mountains of Ararat (Genesis 7:11; 8:4). This period is also given as 150 days in Genesis 7:24.
The time log for God’s servant in the vessel would read as follows:
Month | Day | Year | |
God’s servant enters the vessel (Genesis 7:4-10) | 2 | 10 | 600 |
Beginning of the Flood (Genesis 7:11) | 2 | 17 | 600 |
First 40 days of flood with rain and prevailing waters (Genesis 7:12-17) | 3 | 27 | 600 |
“Waters prevailed” for 110 additional days (Genesis 7:24) | 7 | 17 | 600 |
The vessel rests on the mountains of Ararat (Genesis 8:4) | 7 | 17 | 600 |
The tips of the mountains are seen (Genesis 8:5) | 10 | 1 | 600 |
The raven is released 40 days later (Genesis 8:6) | 11 | 11 | 600 |
The dove is released for the first time (Genesis 8:8) | 11 | 18 | 600 |
The dove is released the second time (Genesis 8:10) | 11 | 25 | 600 |
The dove is released the third time (Genesis 8:12) | 12 | 2 | 600 |
Covering of the vessel removed; waters dried (Genesis 8:13) | 1 | 1 | 601 |
God’s servant leaves the vessel (Genesis 8:14-16) | 2 | 27 | 601 |
The ark was evidence of God’s mercy upon the faithful. It was a shelter in a time of destruction. It carried the faithful safely from a world of sin to a world cleansed from sin. It was God’s appointed vessel of salvation, and outside of it there was no safety.
And as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be when this present life comes to an end at the second coming of Jesus (Matthew 24:37). Today, those who wish to be saved must seize the opportunity of salvation extended to us by our loving God by accepting and obeying Jesus Christ (John 1:12; 15:14).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team