Genesis 6:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"And Noah acted according to all that God commanded him; he did just as God instructed." Here we witness a profound commendation of the righteous man. It is stated that Noah accomplished all that was commanded; he did not fulfill merely one directive while neglecting another; instead, he adhered to every command, executing them as instructed. He left nothing undone but fulfilled all requirements, thereby demonstrating through his actions that he was rightly esteemed in the sight of the Lord. What kind of glory could ever rival this testimony, as documented in sacred Scriptures, bestowed upon the righteous? Who could be more fortunate than one who has completely obeyed God's will and shown unwavering faithfulness to Him? To understand the prophetic honor he received from the Creator of all, consider the following.

Noah initiated the construction of the ark during the early years of repentance granted to his generation, completing it in the centennial year.

Noah dedicated a century to constructing his vessel, and when he warned the people about the impending flood, they mocked him.

God instructed Noah to construct an ark using imperishable wood, guiding him on its design and dimensions, as noted in Genesis (see Genesis 6:14-16). Noah faced significant challenges while building the ark on the high mountain. Observing this, the people were astonished that he was creating such a massive vessel far from the water's edge. They questioned him about his unusual endeavor and the formidable obstacles he encountered. Noah warned them of the impending flood—a manifestation of God's wrath over the pervasive sins of humanity. He emphasized that the waters would rise to the height of the mountain where the ark was situated, ultimately submerging not only that location but even the tallest mountains across the earth.

The narrator notes succinctly that the execution of God's directive demonstrates the ease with which one can adhere to the established and unchanging purpose of God.

Noah faithfully executed God's command regarding the construction of the ark and the gathering of provisions. The task of building the ark likely required an extended period due to its vast dimensions and intricate internal design, and it is reasonable to presume that Noah’s sons assisted him in this endeavor. While Noah may have preached repentance to his generation during the ark's construction, the act of building itself, observable by everyone and understood by all, could have served as a more impactful sermon, perhaps even substituting for spoken exhortation.