Noah spent nearly a half-year on the ark and he still had to wait to get off the boat. Genesis includes the story of a righteous man, Noah—a descendent of Adam and Eve—who lived in a time when the world had become very wicked. The Bible says, “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence” (Genesis 6:11). Because humans had become so evil God said, “I am going to put an end to all people … I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth” (Genesis 6:13).

Because Noah was faithful, God chose to be in covenant with him and allowed him and his family to build an ark, where two of every living creature were housed safely from the flood. Some scholars question the legitimacy of the ark account, questioning the capacity of the vessel, the logistics of gathering and caring for the animals and evidence of the flood. The truth is turned upside down by doubters hoping to dissuade belief in the supernatural, a fingerprint of God.

Remember how God challenged the arrogance of Job? God asked, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much” (Job 38:4 NLT). A good lesson we humans need to learn is that we are not the center of the universe; we are not in control. We are blessed with breath because we have a loving and forgiving Creator. Noah understood this, and he loved and respected God so much he followed Him even when it didn’t look good to the people around him and it didn’t suit his personal goals for his life. Noah listened to God and obeyed God. He, his family and a boatload of animals were together for 150 days, yet he waited to get off. No questions. No second guessing. Obedience. And his submission to God saved his life.