Download the whole book, “A Comparison Guide between the Muslim Qur’an, the Jewish Tanakh, and the Christian Bible: A Simple and Helpful Summary of the Main Stories, Characters, and Beliefs of Global Monotheism” free HERE or on Kindle/Print/Audiobook HERE

7. Noah's (Nuh) Ark

 

Every culture in the world has some narrative about a world-wide flood.  That flood is based on the true story of Noah and his ark.  Unfortunately, sin spread from Adam to Eve, to Cain, to Abel, and across the earth. Men and women did violence, the thoughts of their minds and hearts were on evil continually.  They were doing whatever they thought was right for their own pleasure, for their own pride. So God regretted making making humanity, seeing how sin spread across His creation. He resolved that He was going to have to punish them.  His just wrath was coming in a worldwide flood, but Noah was a righteous man. He listened to God. He obeyed God. He loved God. He trusted God more than anything. The Lord provided a way of salvation through the ark. In the same way, this ark was pointing forward to Christ coming to die...to Christ's life...to one way of salvation from His wrath.

·      Read in The Qur’an – 4:163, 6:83-86, 7:59, 7:61, 10:71, 11:25, 11:42,17:3, 37:77, 11:44

 

Readings from The Qur’an:

·      The Qur'an 4:163 “Verily, We have sent the revelation to you (O Muhammad) as We sent the revelation to Nuh (Noah) and the Prophets after him; We (also) sent the revelation to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma`il (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Ya'qub (Jacob), and Al-Asbat [the offspring of the twelve sons of Ya'qub (Jacob)], 'Isa (Jesus), Ayyub (Job), Yunus (Jonah), Haran (Aaron), and Sulaiman (Solomon); and to Dawud (David) We gave the Zabur (Psalms).”

·      The Qur'an 6:83-86 “And that was Our Proof which We gave Ibrahim (Abraham) against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. 84. And We bestowed upon him Ishaq (Isaac) and Ya'qub (Jacob), each of them We guided, and before him, We guided Nuh (Noah), and among his progeny Dawud (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), Ayyub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), and Harun (Aaron). Thus do We reward Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers). 85. And Zakariya (Zechariah), and Yahya (John) and 'Isa (Jesus) and Iliyas (Elias), each one of them was of the righteous. 86. And Isma'il {Ishmael) and Al-Yasa' (Elisha), and Yunus (Jonah) and Lut (Lot), and each one of them We preferred above the 'Alamin [mankind and jinn (of their times)].”

·      Since the Qur’an says revelation and guidance came to Nuh (Noah), and through the Torat (Torah), shouldn’t Muslims know the full story of Nuh (Noah), given in the Tanakh and Bible?

·      The Qur'an 7:59. “Indeed, We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people and he said: ‘O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha illallah: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day!’”

·      The Qur'an 7:61. “[Nuh (Noah)] said: ‘O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!

·      Why is this quote not in the Tanakh or the Christian Bible which predate the Qur’an? If it is not in the Tanakh or Bible, where did it come from?

·      The Qur'an 10:71 “And recite to them the news of Nuh (Noah). When he said to his people: ‘O my people, if my stay (with you), and my reminding (you) of the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah is hard on you, then I put my trust in Allah. So devise your plot, you and your partners, and let not your plot be in doubt for you. Then pass your sentence on me and give me no respite.”

·      The Qur'an 11:25 “And indeed We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people (and he said): ‘I have come to you as a plain warner.’”

·       The Qur'an 11:42 “So it (the ship) sailed with them amidst waves like mountains, and Nuh (Noah) called out to his son, who had separated himself (apart): ‘O my son! Embark with us and be not with the disbelievers.’ 43. (The son) replied: "I will betake myself to some mountain; it will save me from the water." Nuh (Noah) said: ‘This day there is no saviour from the Decree of Allah except him on whom He has mercy." And waves came in between them, so he (the son) was among the drowned.’

·      The Qur'an 17:3. “O offspring of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Nuh (Noah)! Verily, he was a grateful slave.”

·      The Qur’an 37:77 - “And, his progeny, them We made the survivors (i.e. Shem, Ham and Japheth).”

·      Why is this story about Noah’s son refusing to enter the ark and dying absent from and contradictory to what was written in the Tanakh or Bible?

·      The Qur'an 11:44 “And it was said: ‘O earth! Swallow up your water, and O sky! Withhold (your rain).’ And the water was made to subside and the Decree (of Allah) was fulfilled (i.e. the destruction of the people of Nuh (Noah). And it (the ship) rested on (Mount) Judi, and it was said: ‘Away with the people who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)!’”

·      How does this compare to the Biblical account? Are these quotes included in the Tanakh and Bible (which predate the Qur’an by 2,000 years)? If not, where did they come from?

·      Why does the Qur’an say the Ark landed on Mount Judi and the Tanakh and Bible says it landed on the mountains of Ararat (which are about 200 miles or 310 kilometers apart)?

 

Readings from The Tanakh and The Bible:

·      Genesis 6:1–8 “When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, [2] the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. [3] Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” [4] The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. [5] The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. [6] And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. [7] So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” [8] But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.”

·      How does Genesis 6:5 describe the focus of mankind?

·      How does Genesis 6:6-7 describe the Lord’s heart and response?

·      How would you define “wickedness” and “evil”? Why is it sinful for us to just do whatever we think is right, rather than obeying God’s commands? Why is pleasure-seeking and self-focus so wrong?

·      Why is it so serious to dishonor, disrespect, and disobey God? What are the consequences?

·      When have you set your focus on evil, worldly things? How have you dishonored, disrespected, and disobeyed God? How did that make God feel? How does it make you feel to think about your sin?

·      Genesis 6:9–22 “These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. [10] And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. [11] Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. [12] And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. [13] And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. [14] Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. [15] This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. [16] Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. [17] For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. [18] But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. [19] 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. [20] Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. [21] Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” [22] Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.”

·      How was Noah different? What was his relationship with God like?

·      What did God command him to do? How did Noah respond to God’s commands?

·      How would you describe your relationship to God? How do you respond to God?

·      Genesis 7:1–7 “Then the LORD said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. [2] Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, [3] and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. [4] For in seven days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.” [5] And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him. [6] Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came upon the earth. [7] And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood.”

·      Genesis 7:17–24 “The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. [18] The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. [19] And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. [20] The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. [21] And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. [22] Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. [23] He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. [24] And the waters prevailed on the earth 150 days.”

·      Genesis 8:6–13 “At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made [7] and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. [8] Then he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters had subsided from the face of the ground. [9] But the dove found no place to set her foot, and she returned to him to the ark, for the waters were still on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark with him. [10] He waited another seven days, and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark. [11] And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth. [12] Then he waited another seven days and sent forth the dove, and she did not return to him anymore. [13] In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried from off the earth. And Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and behold, the face of the ground was dry.”

·      Why do you suppose that archaeologists and anthropologists keep discovering that more every culture has a story of a global flood? How does the account of the flood in the Tanakh and Bible compare with the story in the Qur’an? How does it compare with other flood narratives you have seen?  Why do you think the biblical account is so rich with details?

·      Genesis 8:20–21 “Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. [21] And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.”

·      What were Noah’s first actions when he stepped foot on dry ground? Why?

·      Why should gratitude to God be part of the first things we practice every day? From what has God rescued, delivered, and saved you?

·      Genesis 9:12–17 “And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: [13] I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. [14] When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, [15] I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. [16] When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” [17] God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

·      Were you taught about there being any significance in rainbows? How did what you were taught compare with the account in Genesis 9:12-17?

·      What is a covenant? How is it different than a contract? Who is its author and overseer?

·      Hebrews 11:6–7 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. [7] By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

·      What is “faith”? What does God mean by saying “without faith it is impossible to please him” in Hebrews 11:6-7?

·      How do we see faith in Noah’s life? How do you see faith in your life?

·      Luke 17:26–27 “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. [27] They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”

·      Matthew 24:36–44 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. [37] For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, [39] and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [40] Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. [41] Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. [42] Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. [43] But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

·      What do you think Jesus means when He says we must “stay awake” and “be ready” in Matthew 24:36-44? How does that connect with the story of Noah and the Flood?

·      If Jesus returned to earth now, are you ready?

·      2 Peter 2:4–10 “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; [5] if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; [6] if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; [7] and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked [8] (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); [9] then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, [10] and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones”

·      What lesson can we learn about God’s faithfulness and love through the story of Noah and the Flood? What do we learn about God’s justice and wrath?

 

See also:

·      “What does the Bible say about Noah and the flood?” www.trustworthyword.com/flood