The Flood - Revisited

As I look out my window at my rain-soaked yard, I thought it would be a good time to revisit my Noah's Ark question.  A biologist once told me that 'the story' was impossible because the ark could not have contained the waste produced by the animals for such a long period of time.  I just listened.  I didn't agree or disagree - mainly because I didn't know how to defend the account. After a little research using "A Pocket Guide to Noah's Ark" from Answers in Genesis, here is what I have discovered.

Genesis 6:15-16 And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall bethree hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.  You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.

Noah's Ark did not look like the cute little nursery ark that comes to mind.  It was BIG.  The Ark described in Genesis 6 had the same proportions of a modern cargo ship built to withstand waves.  The Ark was almost 500 feet long.  In comparison with another famous wooden vessel, the Santa Maria was roughly 100 feet long.  ( This was the largest ship used by Christopher Columbus on his 1492 voyage to the Americas.)

Noah's Ark had three levels.  Nests and stalls for the animals were constructed (Gen. 6:14).  Each level could have been divided like shelves in a closet.  The Bible isn't specific about the placement of food, water, animals or Noah's family.  Perhaps water and food were stored on the top level where gravity could be used to help pipe it where it was needed.  

So after the animals eat, we eventually have to deal with animal waste.  Well, how do pet stores deal with waste?  In general, the cages (or nests) have slatted floors for waste to fall through to a holding area.  Hmmm.  That could be done for each stall.  Wouldn't it smell?  Of course.  But people and animals once lived in the same houses, so they would have been accustomed to the smell.

Would there just be too much waste?  Well, there was a window on the Ark that could have been used for dumping.  Alternatively, since people in Noah's time took care of animals regularly, it is reasonable that they had experience with composting.

There are lots more fascinating things to learn about Noah's Ark.  If you have any specific questions, send them my way and I'll try to find some answers.