Bill Cosby in one of his comedic skits many years ago depicted Noah receiving instructions from God to build an ark. “NOOOAAH!” Noah asks, “Who is this?” “THIS IS THE LORD!” … Noah responded, “Who… is this really?” I sure this is not really what happen but it makes for a good laugh. You see, like Enoch, Noah walked with God. (Gen 6:9) So when God spoke I’m quite sure he knew who it was. In fact the Bible says that he “being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with Godly fear…” Heb 11:7 He was willing and ready to do what God commanded. (6:22)

Noah would follow the instruction to build a large sea worthy vessel. It was approximately 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. It had the capacity to carry the contents of over five hundred standard railroad boxcars. After its completion God invites Noah and his family, “Come into the ark.” Gen 7:1 And they respond to His invitation. “So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives went into the ark because of the waters of the flood.” Gen 7:7 Once they entered, “the Lord shut them in.” Gen 7:16 After the floodwaters abated, “God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.” Gen 8:1 And once the waters are dried up God leads them and directs them to exit the ark. Gen 8:14-16

Similarly Jesus invites everyone, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28) He invites us in, but each one must make his/her own decision to ‘enter in’. Thus, for those that willingly come on His terms He shuts the door and seals them with the Holy Spirit. (Eph 1:13) And the sealing by the Spirit is for the day of redemption. (Eph 4:30)