9. Noah's Ark

Adam and Eve, as well as Cain and Abel, had many other children, boys and girls, who all gave birth to more children, and so the population increased. But they were not all faithful to the true God. Most of them ceased living according to God's will and became very bad and wicked. Only evil dominated their minds and hearts.      

God was very saddened by how far these people had fallen into evil ways. But these people, unfortunately, were going from bad to worse. Then God, in order to bring them back from this great downfall into sin, decided to punish them with a great flood. 

But among them was just one pious and righteous man, Noah, who had three married children, Shem, Ham and Japheth. God wanted to save only him and his family, so that mankind would not be lost.

God told pious Noah of His decision to destroy the world with a flood. When Noah heard these things, he was very sorry. But he knew that God was right.

God then commanded him to make an Ark, that is, a large wooden boat, and to go into it with all his family. He also told him to take with him a pair from all the animals on the earth, that is, a male and a female. Also take with him enough food for himself and his family, as well as for all the animals that will be in the Ark.

Noah felt great gratitude for this love of God and began with willingness and obedience to immediately build the Ark with his children. The rest of the people who were watching him, were making fun of him and laughing at him, while continuing to commit all kinds of evil and sin.

When the Ark was finished and Noah entered into it with his family and all the animals in pairs, the rain began to fall. It was raining continuously for forty days and nights. And while the Ark was floating calmly, the waters covered everything, even the highest mountains. From this flood, no one, no man or animal, was saved. Only the good Noah with his family and all the animals that were in the Ark were saved.

Finally the rain stopped and the sun appeared in the sky. The waters began to recede and the Ark ran aground on the top of Mount Ararat in Armenia.

Noah began sending out birds from the Ark to see if they could find a place to perch. Only when a dove from the Ark returned holding an olive branch in his beak, did Noah realize that the waters had receded enough.

 Then Noah opened the Ark so that he and his family and all the animals that were inside could go out.

Full of gratitude, he immediately made a sacrifice to God and thanked Him for his salvation.

God was very pleased with this act of gratitude, and blessed Noah and his family. He told them to have many children and fill the earth again with people.

And while in the sky a great beautiful rainbow appeared, He gave them a promise:

"I will never again send a flood to destroy all life. I will put a rainbow in every rain cloud, and when you see it, you will remember My promise, which will last forever."