So why the name “Noah’s Workshop”?

  The story of Noah is often remembered as a fun children’s story with lots of animals, an eccentric old man making a cool big boat and and a happy ending with rainbows. Most people just think of Noah as the guy who saved all the animals because he persevered even though everyone mocked him. This is true but there is much more. A little research shows some interesting facts. Just like other “larger-than-life” heroes of the Bible, Noah lived up to his name. His father Lamech named him Noah, for he would “comfort the poor who work the land.” Rabbinical writings suggest that Noah lived up to his name even before the flood by inventing implements for tilling the ground and new carpentry tools as well, which may have lightened the load of the people for whom he cared and to whom he preached.  Most importantly, we know that Noah preached the truth that God had given to him and tried to save the people from the flood in a very wicked and perverse time. But why did God insist on the construction of the ark? He easily could have saved Noah and his family in any number of ways, but He asked Noah to use his hands, all of his skills and the natural resources that he had available to build the ark in obedience to His very specific instructions. God entrusted Noah with the protection of all of creation through his hard work, perseverance and obedience while being mocked and jeered.  When it comes to “comforting” others and being obedient, we believe that the Lord calls us all to be ‘Noahs’ by using our hands, all of our skills and experience obediently for His glory no matter what the cost.