Noah's Ark Rested on the Seventh Month: A Story of God's Promise

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Join Noah as he recounts the amazing story of how the Ark, filled with every kind of creature, finally came to rest on the mountains of Ararat, a testament to God's enduring promise and faithfulness. Discover the ancient lands and the incredible journey that brought new life to the world.

Learn more about Noah's Ark

How it all Began: The World Before the Flood

My dear children, gather 'round, and let old Noah tell you a wondrous tale! Do you see the beautiful sky above us? The green grass beneath our feet? The playful animals that bring us such joy? There was a time, long, long ago, when the world was filled with sadness. People had forgotten to be kind and to love God, and their hearts were often filled with evil. They also did many wicked deeds. It grieved God's heart to see such things.

Do you know what happened then? God, in His great sorrow, decided to wash the world clean with a mighty flood. But God, in His boundless love, always remembers His children. He chose me, Noah, and my family, to build a magnificent boat—a colossal Ark—to save us and two of every living creature on the earth. Can you imagine such a sight? A boat so big it could hold elephants, lions, birds, and even the smallest creeping things!

When the time came, the rains fell for forty days and forty nights, and the waters covered the whole earth. It was a time of great mystery, but inside the Ark, we were safe, trusting in God's mighty hand.

The Waters Recede: A New Beginning - Genesis 8: 1-5 NKJV.

Now, let us turn our hearts to the ancient words from the book of Genesis, chapter 8, verses 1-5:

"Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided. 

The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were also stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained. 

And the waters receded continually from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters decreased. 

Then the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat."

Can you feel the hope in those words? "God remembered Noah." It means God never, ever forgets His promises!

The Ark's Long Journey and Final Rest

Oh, what a journey we had inside that Ark! For five long months, we floated upon the vast waters. Sometimes it was calm, and other times the waves tossed us about like a tiny toy. But God was with us, always. We fed the animals, cleaned their pens, and waited, and waited, trusting that God would show us the way.

Then, one glorious day, after 150 days of floating, something wonderful happened! Do you remember what the Bible verse said?

 "The ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat." 

Imagine the joy that filled our hearts! We felt a gentle bump, then another, and then the mighty Ark settled. We knew, deep in our souls, that God had guided us to safety.

Think about it, children. For months, all we saw was water. But now, beneath us, was solid ground! We could not see it yet, for the waters still covered the lower parts of the mountains, but we knew it was there. The great Ark, our home for so long, had found its resting place.

Mountains of Ararat

Where Did the Ark Rest? The Mountains of Ararat!

Now, you might be wondering, "Noah, where exactly are these 'mountains of Ararat'?" That's a very good question! The Bible tells us the Ark rested "on the mountains of Ararat." This isn't just one single peak, but a whole range of majestic mountains in a land far away, in what we now call Eastern Turkey.

Picture a place where enormous mountains touch the sky, some with snow on their caps even in the warmer months. It's a land with deep valleys, rushing rivers, and vast plains. This region, known for its dramatic landscape, is where God guided the Ark to its final destination.

Over many, many years, brave people, just like adventurers in your storybooks, have searched for the remains of my Ark. There are fascinating stories and even some archaeological findings that point to specific locations in the Ararat region where something truly ancient and boat-shaped has been discovered!

One remarkable site, often called the Durupınar site, has captured the attention of many. It's an unusual boat-shaped landform high up in the mountains, about 18 miles south of Mount Ararat's summit. This formation is quite large, over 500 feet long, which is very close to the biblical dimensions of the Ark!

Why is this so interesting? Well, researchers who have explored this site have found what they believe are evidence of large wooden timbers, metal rivets, and even fossilized animal dung, all consistent with what one might expect from a massive wooden vessel that carried many creatures. Imagine, children, finding something that might have been part of our very Ark! It makes my heart sing to think that God left such a sign for generations to come.

You can even find videos on YouTube with fascinating explorations of this area! Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see a real archaeological dig? It's like solving a giant puzzle from the past!

What We Did on the Mountains

Even though the Ark had rested, we couldn't just open the doors and walk out! The waters were still high. So, what did we do? We waited! God teaches us patience, doesn't He?

First, the tops of the other mountains began to appear. Imagine seeing the very peaks of the land slowly emerge from the vastness of the water! It was like the world was being born again, little by little.

FAQs About the Ark's Resting Place

Q1: Is the Ark still on Mount Ararat? 

A1: While many believe the Ark came to rest in the broader "mountains of Ararat" region, whether its physical remains still exist and are identifiable is a subject of ongoing debate and research. The Durupınar site is one of the most compelling archaeological candidates.

Q2: What is the significance of the seventh month? 

A2: In the biblical calendar, the seventh month (Tishrei) often marks significant events and feasts. The Ark resting in this month could symbolize a new beginning and a return to normalcy after the judgment of the flood.

Q3: How do we know the location of the Ark is in Eastern Turkey? 

A3: The Bible explicitly states the Ark rested "on the mountains of Ararat." The historical and geographical understanding of "Ararat" places it in the ancient Armenian highlands, which today include parts of Eastern Turkey.

Conclusion: God's Everlasting Promise

My dear children, the story of the Ark resting on the mountains of Ararat is more than just an old tale. It's a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His incredible love for us. Even when things seem lost, God remembers His promises. He brought us through the great flood, giving the world a fresh start, and He marked that promise with a beautiful rainbow in the sky.

Just as God never forgot me and my family, He will never forget you. He has a plan for each of your lives, and He will guide you through all your journeys. Do you trust Him? Will you listen to His gentle voice?

If you want to learn more about the amazing stories from the Bible and God's wonderful plans, ask your parents or teachers! Explore the wisdom found in His word, and always remember His promise.

References

Collins, C. J. (2018). Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary. P & R Publishing.

Faulkner, J. (2010). The Geologic Column and the Flood. Answers Research Journal, 3, 119-132.

Snelling, A. A. (2009). Earth's Catastrophic Past: Geology, Creation & the Flood. Institute for Creation Research.

Standish, R., & Standish, R. (1999). The Ararat Report. Hartland Publications.

Wise, K. P. (2002). Faith, Form, and Time: What the Bible Teaches and Science Affirms About Creation and the Age of the Earth. Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Woodmorappe, J. (1996). Noah's Ark: A Feasibility Study. Institute for Creation Research.

God Shut the Door of the Ark: A Story of Faith and a New Beginning

God Shuts the Door of the Ark: A Story of Faith and a New Beginning

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Join Noah as he recounts the amazing story of the Great Flood, how God gathered the animals, and protected his family in the ark, bringing about a new beginning for the world. This biblical narrative, told for children, focuses on faith, obedience, and God's mighty power.

Learn more about Noah and the Ark.

Let's listen as Noah tells how God shut the door of the Ark.

Hello, my dear children! Gather 'round, gather 'round, for I have a most wondrous story to tell you today. It is a story from a very, very long time ago, when the world was filled with much naughtiness, and God, in His great sorrow, decided to wash the earth clean. 

My name is Noah, and I was alive then, a very old man, 600 years of age when this grand adventure began! Can you imagine being 600 years old? I had seen many things, but nothing, oh nothing, like the time of the great flood.

A Message from God

Do you know why God chose me? Because I walked with Him. I listened to His voice, and I tried my best to do what was right in His eyes. And one day, God spoke to me, His voice like thunder and yet so gentle in my heart. He said, "Noah, the end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth."

Oh, my heart was heavy, for I knew the world was indeed full of wickedness. But then God gave me a most amazing command! He told me to build an ark! Not just any boat, mind you, but a colossal wooden vessel, a floating house big enough to save my family and all the creatures of the earth.

Building the Mighty Ark

For many, many years, my sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and I, with the help of our wives, toiled away. We cut down mighty trees, sawed huge planks, and sealed every crack with pitch, inside and out. The ark was an enormous undertaking, longer than a hundred cars lined up end to end, and taller than a three-story house! People would walk by and stare, pointing and laughing. "Noah, what are you doing?" they would shout. "Building a boat in the middle of dry land? Are you mad?"

But I knew in my heart that God's word was true, and so we kept on building. We built rooms, three decks high, for all the animals. We gathered food, enough to last for a very, very long time.

The Animals Arrive At The Ark!

Then, the most extraordinary thing began to happen! Can you imagine? When I was 600 years old, God told me, 

"Go into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. 

Of every clean animal you shall take seven pairs, male and female; and of every animal that is not clean, two pairs, male and female; and of the birds of the air, seven pairs, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth."

The animals came! Not by my calling, but by God's mighty hand. From the towering mountains and the deepest jungles, from the wide plains and the hidden valleys, they came.

Two by two, and sometimes seven by seven, they marched. The majestic lions, the towering giraffes, the playful monkeys, the buzzing bees, the slithering snakes, the tiny mice, and the giant elephants. They walked right into the ark, as if guided by an invisible shepherd. It was a sight that would make your heart leap with wonder! We helped them settle into their places, feeding them and making them comfortable.

God Shuts the Door of the Ark

For seven days, after all the animals and my family—my wife, my three sons, and their wives—were safely inside, the world outside was still. The people still mocked, still went about their wicked ways, unaware of what was to come. But then, on that seventh day, something truly amazing happened.

It wasn't me, or my sons, who shut the massive door of the ark. Oh no! This door was too heavy, too grand for human hands to close completely. The Bible tells us, "And the Lord shut him in." Can you imagine? God Himself, with His mighty hand, closed the door, sealing us inside, safe from the storm that was about to break. It was a sign, a promise of protection for all within.

The Waters Rise

Then, the heavens opened! Have you ever seen a truly big rainstorm? Imagine that, but a thousand, million times worse! On the seventeenth day of the second month, when I was 600 years old, "on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened." It wasn't just rain; it was as if the very ground burst open, sending up geysers of water, and the clouds emptied themselves with a roar!

The rain fell for forty days and forty nights without stopping. The waters rose higher and higher. First, they covered the little hills, then the taller trees. Soon, the tallest mountains were swallowed by the raging waters. The Bible tells us that the waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered. 

Now, what does fifteen cubits upward mean? Imagine your father or mother, standing on a very tall ladder, and then imagine another person standing on their shoulders! That's how deep the water went above the highest mountain peaks! It was higher than a three-story building, even over the very tallest mountains!

Outside the ark, everything that had the breath of life perished. Every living thing on the dry land, from the smallest creature to the tallest giants, was swept away by the flood. It was a terrible thing to think about, the entire world outside the ark consumed by the relentless waters. But inside, we were safe, bobbing on the waves, protected by God's promise.

Floating for Many Days in the Ark

The ark floated upon the face of the waters. For 150 days, that's five months, the waters covered the earth. Imagine five whole months of just water, water everywhere! We were completely reliant on God's grace, day in and day out, as the ark tossed and turned. But God remembered me and all the living things that were with him in the ark. He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters began to subside. Slowly, slowly, the floodwaters began to recede.

A New Beginning

At last, on the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. It was a moment of great relief and thanksgiving! Still, we waited. It was not until the first day of the first month of my 601st year that the waters had dried from the earth. Finally, on the twenty-seventh day of the second month, the earth was completely dry, and God told us it was time to leave the ark.

We stepped out onto a fresh, clean earth. The birds flew out, the animals bounded away, and my family and I knelt down to thank God for His faithfulness and His mercy. He had saved us, and through us, He would begin again.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How old was Noah when the flood started? Noah was 600 years old when the great flood began.

• How many animals went into the ark? For clean animals and birds, there were seven pairs (14 animals in total) of each kind. For unclean animals, there were two pairs (4 animals in total) of each kind.

• How long did the rain last? The rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights.

• How long did the waters cover the earth? The waters covered the earth for 150 days before they began to subside.

Conclusion: God's Promise

So you see, my dear children, the story of the flood is a powerful reminder of God's justice, but also of His incredible love and mercy. He chose one family, one righteous man, Noah, to save humanity and all living creatures. And after the flood, God made a beautiful promise to us, a covenant that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. He set His rainbow in the clouds as a sign of this promise, a reminder that even after the greatest storms, there is always hope and a new beginning.

What does this story tell us about God? It tells us that He is mighty, that He keeps His promises, and that He loves us. Just like Noah, we can trust in God, listen to His voice, and strive to live in a way that pleases Him.

Think about it: What does it mean to trust God, even when things look impossible, like building a huge ark in the middle of dry land?

God shut the door of the ark - Genesis 7

References

The Holy Bible, New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson. (Original work published various dates).

Walton, J. H. (2001). Genesis. Zondervan. (Provides insights into the ancient Near Eastern context of the Genesis narrative).

Young, D. A., & Stearley, R. F. (2008). The Bible, Rocks and Time: Geological Evidence for the Age of the Earth. InterVarsity Press. (Discusses scientific and theological perspectives on the flood narrative).

Noah's Ark: Gathering the Animals, Two by Two!

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Join Noah as he shares the amazing story of how he gathered all the animals, two by two, into the great ark, just as God commanded! A story of faith, obedience, and incredible creatures for children aged 3 and over.

🚣‍♀️👉👉Read:  Noah's Big Boat Adventure: A Story of Faith and Rain!

Noah Gathers The Animals Bible Verses

Genesis 6:17 -23

“And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die.

“But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.

“And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female.

“Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive.

“And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.”

Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

Genesis 7:1-3.

Then the LORD said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.

“You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female;

“also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth.

Introduction: Noah Gathers The Animals

Hello, my dear children! It is I, Noah, and I am so glad to see your bright faces again! Do you remember our story from last time? We spoke of a time long, long ago, when the world had become a very sad place. People were not being kind to each other, and their hearts were full of evil. God, who loves us all so very much, was sad too. He told me that He would send a great flood to wash away all the sins, but He also gave me a very special job.

A World Without Rain

I must tell you something very strange and wonderful about the world back then. You know how you see big, gray clouds today and run inside because it’s about to rain? Well, in my day, we had never seen rain!

Can you imagine a world where water never fell from the sky? Instead, God had a different way of taking care of the trees and the flowers. Every morning, a soft, heavy mist would creep up from the ground. It was like a giant, gentle sprayer that watered the whole face of the earth (Genesis 2:5-6). The air felt thick and sweet, and the ground was always moist enough for our crops to grow, even without a single drop from the clouds.

When God told me He was going to bring "floodwaters from the heavens," it was something no one had ever heard of before! It took a lot of faith to build a boat for a "rainstorm" when the sky had always been clear and dry.

God's Grand Plan: A Quick Reminder

God told me to build a magnificent boat, an ark, that would be so big it could float on the highest waters! It was to be made of gopher wood, covered inside and out with pitch to make it waterproof, like a giant, sturdy tub. Do you remember how big it was? It was as long as a football field and as tall as a three-story house! It had many rooms inside, like a big house. God wanted me, my wife, my three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and their wives to be safe inside. He promised to keep us safe from the coming flood. And so, with heavy hearts but trusting in God, we began to build.

God's Most Amazing Command Was To Bring The Animals Into The Ark

Then came another amazing command from God! Not only were we to build the Ark, but we were to bring all sorts of animals into it. Can you imagine?

God wanted us to bring two of every kind of animal, a male and a female, so that after the flood, there would still be animals on the earth. And for the "clean" animals, those we could eat or offer in thanks to God, He wanted seven pairs! Why seven? Perhaps because seven is often seen as a special number in God's eyes, a number of completeness and blessing.

Can you imagine the sight? Lions and lambs, elephants and tiny mice, tall giraffes and hopping kangaroos, all coming towards the Ark! We didn't have to go and catch them; God, in His amazing power, brought them to us. They walked in an orderly line, two by two, just as God had said. It was an incredible parade, a sight that still fills my heart with wonder when I think of it!

We spent many days gathering food for all these creatures – hay for the cows, and fruits for the monkeys! It was a very busy time, but we knew we had to obey God's command. Can you imagine how much food that would be for so many animals for a whole year? We filled the Ark with many different kinds of plants and dried foods, all stored carefully in the different rooms.

Even the birds of the air, little sparrows and mighty eagles, came too. They flew into the Ark, finding their resting places. It truly was a miracle to behold! Why did God do this? To show us His great power and His great love for all His creation, both people and animals. He wanted to make sure that life would continue on earth after the flood.

A Biblical Truth: Obedience and Trust

The story of the animals coming to the Ark teaches us a very important truth: obedience to God is always rewarded. Even when things seem impossible, or when God asks us to do something very big, if we trust Him and obey, He will help us. My family and I trusted God completely, and He guided every step. Do you think it was easy? No, it was very hard work! But with God's help, nothing is impossible.

Conclusion

So, my dear children, that is the story of how the animals, two by two, came to the Ark. It was a time of great wonder and a powerful reminder of God's amazing plan and His loving care for all His creation. Next time, we will talk about the great flood itself and what happened when the waters came.

What do you think was the most amazing animal to walk into the Ark? Draw a picture of your favorite animal coming to the Ark and share it with your family!

References

Arnold, B. T., & Beyer, B. E. (2015). Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Theological and Critical Introduction. Baker Academic. (Provides context on ancient Israelite life and customs)

Matthews, V. H. (2018). Manners and Customs in the Bible: An Illustrated Guide to Daily Life in Bible Times. Hendrickson Publishers. (Offers insights into daily life, family structures, and social interactions in biblical times)

The Holy Bible, King James Version. (2019). Public Domain. (Original work published 1611)

Walton, J. H. (2009). The Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Zondervan. (Explores the geographical and environmental context of ancient Israel and Mesopotamia).