Noah and the Animals Before the Great Flood
In the book of Genesis, God saw that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” God decided to blot out His creation with a great flood because the earth was filled with violence, but a man named Noah found favor in His eyes.
Noah was told by God to build an ark in preparation for the flood that would cover the entire surface of the earth, giving him exact instructions as to the composition and measurements of the vessel. God instructed Noah to take his family and two of every living thing into it, “for after seven more days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will blot out from the face of the land every living thing that I have made.”
What was so remarkable about Noah’s obedience to God was that he listened to God describe how it would rain, and until that time there had never been rain before. The ground had been watered daily by a mist that rose from the earth. But just as God said, it rained for forty days and forty nights without ever stopping, until even the mountains were completely covered with water. Today we have over 270 flood stories from all parts of the world.
Noah sent a dove out of the ark 2 times, and when she came back with an olive branch in her beak, he knew the water had abated and it was safe to come out. He and his family were in the ark for 371 days.
The painting depicts Noah with animals as he is being inspired to design the ark he was to build. By looking closely at the parchment in his hands, a ghost-image of an ark is visible. This painting is available as giclees in various sizes.