Long ago, people were doing many wrong and hurtful things. But Noah tried to do what was right and listened to God. God told Noah that a great flood was coming and asked him to build a huge boat called an ark.
Step 1: Noah builds the ark. God gave Noah instructions for making the ark strong and large enough for his family and many animals. Noah did what God asked. He and his family gathered food and brought animals into the ark—male and female animals, so they could live and grow again after the flood.
Step 2: The rain falls. Noah went into the ark with his wife, his sons, their wives, and the animals. Then rain poured down, and the waters rose over the land. The ark floated safely on the water while Noah, his family, and the animals stayed inside.
Step 3: The waters go down. After many days, the rain stopped. The waters slowly began to fall, and at last the ark came to rest on a mountain. Noah sent out a raven and then a dove to see whether the land was ready. When the dove later returned with a fresh olive leaf, Noah knew that plants were growing again.
Step 4: Noah leaves the ark. When God said it was time, Noah and his family came out with all the animals. Noah thanked God and made an offering.
Step 5: God makes a promise. God promised Noah and every living creature that a flood would never again cover the whole earth in this way. God placed a rainbow in the clouds as a sign of this promise.
What the story teaches
- Noah trusted God and followed the instructions he was given.
- His family cared for the animals during a frightening time.
- The rainbow became a reminder of God's promise and hope for the future.
This story is told in Genesis chapters 6–9. Different readers may understand parts of the story in different ways, but the rainbow is its memorable sign of God's promise.