It is a simple question. It just might be conceivable, though not likely I’m the 1st to ask it. I guess most of us think he did as he was told. Then again, maybe it was simply that he was afraid for him and his family.

He might have had the attitude, if there is a flood, it will come in handy. You do realize, while he built, he evangelized? That was part of the reason for building ark. When those around saw him building the ark, they did laugh at him. They did ask him about the project.

I do sort of wonder, was he the first to build anything like a boat. Did they ever go sailing on a weekend. These guys were living four and five hundred years, remember. They had plenty of time to build stuff like this just for fun. Contrary to what some learned folks might say, we are likely speaking of a very advanced civilization. The Bible recorded that there was a man who worked with iron, long before the bronze age.

So, let’s say Noah has some success at evangelizing. I think it was even conceivable that God might change his mind and not send the flood. We know, of course, God has the foreknowledge. He knew they wouldn’t. However, we also know He was giving them one more last chance to repent.

It looks to me as if Noah was acting from faith. However, we also know that if Noah was a successful evangelist, he would have been the only one in town with a big boat sitting in his front yard.

However, it would still have purpose. Every time the animals started going into it, 2 by 2, the neighbors might take note.

Which does bring up a plausible additional reason for Noah to take on the project. It did give Noah a tool for evangelism. As I said, they did laugh at him. However, some must have started taking note as the animals without any prompt, started wandering in. Some might even have repented but fear. They did not want to be subject to the same ridicule as Noah.

I don’t know when the rain started, some just might have had second thoughts if it started sprinkling before the door was closed. If I may, I don’t think God would mind me using a little imagination. I am almost sure that God had the love that allowed everyone every last chance. I suspect it was sprinkling before the door was sealed.

Then, Noah and his family boarded the ark. God, Himself, closed and sealed the door. It was for two reasons. It kept both the water and the people out. It was the final decision point in time. Those that were in the ark lived. Those that were outside the ark died.

Not only is it a historic fact, but it is something of a picture for us. God is long suffering. He gives us chance after chance because of His love. However, one day, He will close the door for each of us. Those of us who never repented and accepted Jesus, it is too late. Death is all that remains for them. With that in mind, for those who haven’t already, it would be a good idea to accept Jesus, now, before the rain starts falling.

Some, when they tell the story of the ark, use the term perish instead of died. Well, the do both mean the same. Perhaps, perish sounds better. Perhaps it covers it a little so that it has a little less of an edge. But it was not my intention to make it sound nice in the least. I wanted it to have its full impact, for the benefit of anyone who needs to know. If I take the edge off, how does it help those who need to repent?