Story of Noah explaining the pitch on the inside and outside of the ark

Noah this week… 

He was told to “cover it on the inside and the outside with pitch” which is tar so water can’t get in.

“pitch” is kopher. This word is derived from the Hebrew word kaphar. Kaphar is the word used for “cover”. 

Kopher is found 17 times in the Old Testament. It is translated as pitch here alone. It is translated as ransom eleven other times.

Kaphar is found 102 times in the Old Testament. It is translated “atone” or “make atonement” 73 of those times. It is translated “forgive” ten times. It is translated “appease” twice. It is translated “pitch” or “cover” only in this verse.

God used Moses to teach those who knew Hebrew about “ransom” and “making atonement”. 

Atonement is slathered inside and outside of the ark. The Ransom covers the ark and therefore all who go into it. The ark is the Salvation for those who would escape death from the upcoming judgment God was bringing upon all mankind.

Hence, the ark becomes an obvious type of Christ. It gives us a picture of what Jesus did for us. He made atonement, completely covering our sins, inside and out. He paid the ransom that covers our sin. When we receive him, we step onto the ark and we are saved from the death that would otherwise come from the judgment of God.

How can we protect ourselves from the evils of life? It’s the atonement of Jesus Christ.