The ark was not only for the salvation of man but also for the salvation of all living creatures. See Col. 1:20 and note Col. 1:20^2b; Heb. 2:9 and note Heb. 2:9^3d; and Mark 16:15 and note Mark 16:15^2b.

The water through which Noah passed was a figure of the water of baptism (1 Pet. 3:20-21 and note 1 Pet. 3:21¹). The pitch on the ark saved Noah from the judgment of the flood (see note Gen. 6:14³), whereas the water of the flood not only judged the world but also separated Noah from the evil age (cf. Gal. 1:4; Acts 2:40-41). In the same manner, the water of the Red Sea judged the Egyptians and saved the children of Israel from the Egyptian age (Exo. 14:26-30). The water of baptism symbolizes the death of Christ, which judged Satan and the world (Rom. 6:3; John 12:31) and which also saves the believers from the condemned world and the satanic power of darkness (Gal. 6:14; Heb. 2:14).

Noah’s entering into the ark (v. 13) is a type of our entering into Christ. God’s shutting Noah in indicates that, although we are free to enter into Christ, once we are in, we have no way to get out. Once we believe into the Lord Jesus, we are “shut in” by God with no way to get out of Him (John 10:28-29 and note John 10:28^1a).

See note Gen. 5:21^1a.

Forty is the number for trials, temptations, and sufferings (Heb. 3:9; Matt. 4:2; 1 Kings 19:8).