“I always liked the story of Noah's Ark and the idea of starting anew by rescuing the things you like and leaving the rest behind.” (Zach Braff)

Were you aware of the facts below as they relate to Noah and his ark?

1. God told Noah to bring two of each kind (seven pairs of some), not of each species or variety. Noah had only two of the dog kind, which would include the wolves, coyotes, foxes, and mutts. The kind grouping is probably closer to our modern family division in taxonomy.

The idea that the Ark would need millions of animals on-board, because there are millions of species can be seen to be incorrect. Animals have diversified into many varieties in the last 4400 years since the Flood in a process known as speciation.

This speciation is not anything similar to great claims that the evolutionists teach. Speciation selects from within an existing gene pool, whereas molecules-to-man evolution would require new genetic information to be spontaneously generated.

2. Many claim to have seen the ark in recent times in the area in which the Bible says it landed. The Bible says the ark landed in the “mountains” of Ararat, not necessarily on the mountain itself. However “sightings” are of doubtful authenticity, and the best evidence that the ark existed is in the Bible itself.

3. More than 250 Flood legends from all parts of the world have been found. Most have similarities to the Genesis account, but none of them contain all the details of the Genesis account. This suggests that the Genesis account is the original, and all others are derived from it.

4. Noah did not have to get the animals. God brought them to him. “Two of every kind of bird, animal, and creeping thing will come to you so that you might keep them alive.” (Genesis 6:20, ERV).

5. Noah’s ark was built only to float, not to sail anywhere. Scoffers have pointed out that the largest sailing ships were less than 300 feet because of the problem of twisting and flexing the boat. These ships had giant masts, and sails to catch the wind. Noah’s ark needed neither of those and had far less torsion-related stress. Ark researchers have shown that early post-Flood civilizations (such as the Sumerians) built large wooden boats with systems such as mortise and tenons, which allow for less stress.

6. Ocean basin crust material is younger than the continental material which sits on it. This suggests that the pre-flood continent divided, due to catastrophic tectonic movement. There is considerable evidence from the ocean basin around the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, that plate tectonic movement was once very rapid indeed.

So, the present continental structure could have developed,(while still submerged) within a few weeks of the beginning of the flood. The top 3,000 feet of Mt. Everest (from 26,000 to 29,000 feet) is made up of sedimentary rock packed with seashells and other ocean-dwelling animals.

7. Only land-dwelling, air-breathing animals had to be included on the ark “All these animals went into the boat with Noah. They came in groups of two from every kind of animal that had the breath of life.” (Genesis 7:15 , ERV) Noah did not need to bring all the thousands of insect varieties. Invertebrates can be shown to survive flooding, often by using floating vegetation mats. Many animals sleep, hibernate or become inactive during bad weather.

8. Sedimentary rock is found all over the world (this is formed in water). Petrified clams in the closed position (found all over the world) testify to their rapid burial while they were still alive, even on top of Mount Everest. Bent rock layers, fossil graveyards, and poly-strata fossils are best explained by a flood.

9. The Bible says that the highest mountains were covered by 15 cubits of water. This is half the height of the ark. The ark was safe from scraping bottom at all times. “The water continued to rise above the mountains. The water was more than 20 feet above the highest mountain.” (Genesis 7:20, ERV)

The large mountains, as we have them today, did not exist until after the Flood when “the mountains arose and the valleys sank down” (Ps. 104:5-9, Gen. 8:3-8). There is enough water in the oceans right now to cover the earth 8,000 feet deep if the surface of the earth were smooth.

10. The flood was initiated by the breaking open of the fountains of the deep. “On the 17th day of the second month, when Noah was 600 years old, the springs under the earth broke through the ground, and water flowed out everywhere. The sky also opened like windows and rain poured down. The rain fell on the earth for 40 days and 40 nights. That same day Noah went into the boat with his wife, his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives.” (Genesis 7:11-13 , ERV) This probably indicates massive volcanic and seismic activity, which would have divided the crust into the various tectonic plates that we have today.

11. The length-to-width-to-height ratio of 300 to 50 to 30 is what shipbuilders today often use. This is the best ratio for stability in stormy weather. (God thinks of everything.)

12. The pre-Flood people were probably much smarter and more advanced than people today. The longer life spans, Adam’s direct contact with God, and the fact that they could glean the wisdom of many generations that were still alive would greatly expand their knowledge base.

We can all learn many valuable lessons on management (and leadership) from the story of Noah’s ark in Genesis.

· Anticipate the worst: Noah was lucky. God warned him that the rains were coming. We may not be so fortunate. Great leaders need to always be looking into the future, anticipate threats and opportunities, and put plans in place positioning oneself for the future.

· Build an ark: Noah’s survival depended upon a strong reliable ark. No leader can perform without their ark – whether it’s systems, procedures, solid financing, great talent, cutting edge technology, or a reliable brick and mortar facility. You can’t do it by yourself.

· Continuity is key: When Noah took both his family and two of each species, he ensured their continuity. While the others perished in the flood, Noah and the chosen animals survived on the ark and were then able to repopulate the world after the storm. Organizations must also “repopulate” by putting in place succession plans. Succession plans ensure continuity and an orderly transition of leadership. Without a plan, organizations face disruption, loss of institutional knowledge, and often failure.

· Only two: Noah took his family and two of each species, which promised their life. Two lessons come from this: first, the importance of narrowing one’s focus to the real priorities and two, focusing your attention on your star talent. Everything cannot be a priority and by trying to make them so you dilute your attention and divert resources, time, and focus away from the important things.

The same goes for someone’s staff. By adopting an uncensored approach that takes care of everyone the same, at the expense of those individuals who truly drive your business, then you run the risk of losing your key staff. Clear focus and direction need to be, backed up by strong, reliable talent, which guarantees success every time.

· Ride out the storm: Noah rode out the storm, while preparing for the future. When the rain stopped, he was ready to go. We can survive a great recession. Those that prepared for the future have one. Those who did not anticipate the storm or who took a mere survival approach without positioning themselves for the recovery suddenly find themselves behind the competition.

“When life gets difficult when the task becomes tiring when you are about to give up always remember that ‘the snail got to Noah’s ark inch by inch to survive’…” (Qui Qui Mori) [i]