The Ark and Jesus: Pitch

Genesis 6:14

Some people get annoyed when a preacher talks about a word in Greek or Hebrew. I agree, if the preacher is doing this to sound smart, that is the wrong reason. However, a person that has ever worked in translations knows that some things simply do not translate well. There can be a depth or complexity to a word in one language that is lost when translated into another language. What was a vibrant expression can suddenly become flat. Such is the case for the word "cover" ("pitch" in the KJV) in Genesis 6:14.

Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.

Genesis 6:14

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your name’s sake!

Psalm 79:9

In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.

Proverbs 16:6

Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:25-26

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2:17

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

I John 2:2

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

I John 4:10

I know this is a lot of scripture, but I want you to see the connection between what Genesis says and what the rest of the Bible says about atonement and Jesus.

God's creation had plunged itself into sin. God is holy and only that which is holy can abide in His presence. We often think of sins on a scale of little and big. God sees sin as sin. In the grand scheme of things, the act of eating a piece of fruit was a little sin, but that is all it took to separate all of humanity from God for all of eternity. We must also remember that ALL sin is rebellion against God. Another word we could use for that is treason. When we think of it this way, suddenly those little sins take on a whole new meaning.

Because of their sins, man was completely helpless to do anything to change their destiny. They were on a collision course with the wrath of God that judges sin. The only possible hope was if God provided a shelter, a covering, for man that would protect them from the wrath that must judiciously be poured out. That was exactly what the Ark was.

The Hebrew word translated "cover" in the NKJV and "pitch" in the KJV is a Hebrew word that can also be translated "atone". The ark was to be atoned inside and outside with pitch. The practical purpose of this was to make the shelter waterproof. This was important, but we cannot neglect the spiritual application either. All who entered into the ark had their sins atoned for and were thus protected from the wrath of God. The Psalmist prayed for atonement of sin, and Solomon said that God provides atonement because He is merciful.

Paul, the writer of Hebrews, and John all tell us that Jesus is the "propitiation" or atonement of our sins. His sacrificial death on the cross appeased the wrath of God for all who would enter into His protection. Just as we saw that Jesus was the door, He is also the ark. He provided the covering and protection for all that will enter in. Just as in the historical story of Noah, most did not enter into the ark, so most will not enter into the salvation of Jesus. This does not mean the door is not open, but they reject the Savior's protection.

Father, You are a God of mercy and forgiveness. We are grateful that You provide the covering for our sins and the shelter from Your judgment. May we always be grateful and have hearts of worship for Your provision. We pray that others will enter as well!