THE story of Noah's ark presents many helpful and practical lessons to the student of Christian Science. As is well known, it tells of a state of wickedness and corruption in the earth, of a great flood that came and destroyed "all flesh," and of how Noah, being "a just man," was warned of God beforehand, and commanded to build and take refuge in an ark, and to remain there until the flood had ceased. Among other definite instructions given regarding the building of the ark, Noah was bidden to "pitch it within and without with pitch," to make rooms and three stories in it; also a door and a window. When Noah and his family were safely in the ark and the flood was at its height, the ark "was lift up above the earth," thus insuring immunity from all danger and disaster. After the flood, a rainbow spanned the heavens in token of God's promise of security.
The metaphysical teachings of Christian Science throw much light on the narratives of the Bible and reveal valuable and important information as to correct thinking and wise action. The prevailing conditions of thought during Noah's time were probably very similar to those of to-day. The carnal mind still threatens to swamp, overwhelm, overflow, and suppress right thinking; to "send forth a new flood to drown the Christ-idea," as our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, says in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 570); but the command which came to Noah many years ago comes equally to us to-day, "Make thee an ark."
Mrs. Eddy gives the interpretation of "ark" as follows in Science and Health (p. 581): "Safety; the idea, or reflection, of Truth, proved to be as immortal as its Principle; the understanding of Spirit, destroying belief in matter. God and man coexistent and eternal; Science showing that the spiritual realities of all things are created by Him and exist forever. The ark indicates temptation overcome and followed by exaltation."
