Our investigative women did a great job taking facts and coming to some conclusions of what Noah’s wife was like. Yes, it is all speculation and presumption, but basing it on life as we know it, the nature of men and women is the same. God created us in His image and that never changes. As we know they were living in crazy times. Probably similar to our generation. They were 9 generations from Adam and Eve. The people on the earth were made up of two brothers, Cain and Seth, so the multiplication of the earth was as we’d say “kissin’ cousins.”
It’s possible Noah’s wife was a daughter of Tubal-cain. She may have been an adventurous woman, ready for anything. It said the Noah was the ONLY blameless person living on the earth and he walked in close fellowship with God (Gen. 6:9) just like it was said about his great grandfather Enoch (Gen. 5:21). In pre-flood times, it had never rained. The water they needed came from under ground so this was a phenomenon to have been told that it would rain.
Noah’s wife may have been concerned by what was going on around her. This means her extended family were considered evil. She was going to have to leave them behind, along with her home, and everything that created security in her life. This wasn’t like they were going on a cruise and then coming home from a vacation. As Noah built the ark, she had to plan the meals for the next year and prepare and pack. She had three daughters-in-law joining her that also were leaving family behind. They most likely were young, as the sons were born when Noah was 500 (we assume she was close in age) and the rain began when he was 600. That right there can be a challenge because sometimes in-laws don’t always see eye to eye.
We speculated that she was patient, trusting, follower, loyal, and obedient to what her husband was called to do. She submitted to the process. If she wasn’t a Proverbs 31 woman before this, she most likely became one after this experience. It was crazy to get on this boat, but crazier not to, especially if God was telling them to. She probably experienced rejection in the community since her husband was building a large boat that was 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high (1 and a half football fields). Remember, these people had never seen rain so the people probably ridiculed them for doing something so ridiculous. The ark had 3 levels: top deck was for Noah and his family. The second deck was for the animals. The bottom deck was for waste. There was only one door on the side and one 18 inch window. Imagine the darkness inside and the smell. No glade plug-ins to help with the smell they would endure for the next year. The boat probably rocked as well so the combination was not a pleasant experience. We all know what it was like being locked down in our homes during COVID. We loved the people we lived with, but at least we could go outside and enjoy fresh air and find some space. Those were some long days and nights living in darkness. Never knowing whether it was day or night. They couldn’t go outside and walk the deck like a you can on a cruise ship. The sun didn’t shine for at least 6 weeks when they first boarded. They didn’t have much light inside. What a picture of sin. In that giant environment of darkness and only lit by possibly some fire light. That can be a challenge. It’s romantic at first, but after a while, it’s grueling. But what God does in the darkness can be life changing. Just as a seed is buried in the ground, life that begins to grow underneath the soil until it’s time for it to break forth. There was probably a transformation happening in this family of 8. When they disembarked, they were probably not the same people as they had been.
God was going to preserve them and the animals. Noah was probably the last one onboard and as his foot crossed the doorway, God, with His mighty hand shut the door. Like a treasure chest filled with precious gems, these people and animals were tucked away and safe.
There was no covenant at this time. The closest was God telling Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of Good and Evil . It wasn’t until the time of the Mosaic law that God had made a covenant. But after the flood, God placed a rainbow in the clouds to ensure that He would never destroy the earth or mankind again. As we have experienced rain throughout our lives, we’ve all seen rainbows. We know that somewhere there is a break in the clouds and the sun is shining. There are times of consistent rain in our own lives, spiritually, physically, and emotionally speaking. Storm after storm, we get hit, soaked, sometimes it’s dark and we become weary wondering if it will ever end. But we have hope when the rainbow of God’s love appears, we know that His son is shining. Even when there isn’t a break in the the clouds of life, our faith tells us that the “Son” is shining and we can expect Him to come through. This is what we call faith. If we sum up truly what Noah’s wife had, it was faith. Faith to trust the process, faith in her husband, and faith to believe that when she couldn’t see, there was salvation at the end. “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.” (Hebrews 11:1-2, NLT)
As we know, the Bible had not been written and there was no scripture to hold onto. But we have promises to hold onto in our times the unknown. The following scriptures are promises that were shared in our group last night.
Life preservers in the storm!
Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Proverbs 31:30 - Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Psalm 18:28 - For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God
will enlighten my darkness.
Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good
courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with
you wherever you go.”
Psalm 85:9-13 - Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven.Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.
I pray you will be encouraged to know that God’s got you and He’s protecting you through the storm. Keep your eyes on Him. All of His promises are Yes, and Amen!
Compiled by the R.E.A.L. Women Bible Study out of Hills Church, Laguna Hills, CA
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