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“Make Thee An Ark of Gopher Wood”
by Donnie V. Rader
When the world became so wicked that God chose to destroy man by a flood, God told Noah to build an ark to preserve himself, his family, and the animals. God said more than just “make an ark.” He said, “Make thee an ark of gopher wood” (Genesis 6:14). Instructions that were specific had been given. If Noah was to please God he had to follow carefully the directions he had been given. Noah and his ark of gopher wood have served to illustrate some very important points on authority through the years. Let’s be reminded of some simple points that we learn from God’s instructions to Noah.
God has a plan for how things are to be done. God has not left man to serve him without telling him how to do it. God not only told Noah what to do, but also told him how to do it. The command involves what was to be built: not just anything, but an ark. It was to be built of a particular wood: gopher wood. It was to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high. There were also directions for a window and a door. When the tabernacle was to be built, Moses was to make it “according to the pattern” that he had been given while on the mount before God (Hebrews 8:5). Again, God had a plan. Solomon was directed to build the temple according to the “plans” (NKJV, “pattern” KJV) revealed from God (1 Chronicles 28:11-12, 19).
Today we must abide by God’s word in all of our service unto him. If God had a plan for the ark, the tabernacle, and the temple, surely he has a plan for his church and all it is to do. John wrote, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). We must do all by the authority of our Lord (Colossians 3:17).
When God specifies, all other specifics are excluded. Authority can be general (including any thing, method, or means of execution which comes within the same class of the command). Authority can also be specific (excluding every thing, method, or means of execution that comes within the class, which is not specified, of the command). When God’s command is left in the generic (i.e., no specifics are given) man may choose any specific within that general command. If God had told Noah to build an ark of “wood” (not telling him a particular kind of wood), Noah could have chosen any kind of wood and been within the realm of authority. The command to “go preach” (Mathew 18:19-20) would authorize any method of going: walking, riding, flying, or sailing. All God said was “go.” He did not specify the method of going. When God has specified, man is not at liberty to choose other specifics. All other specifics within that class are excluded. When God specified “gopher wood” that excluded and eliminated the use of any other wood.
God specified the kind of music that he wanted (“singing” – Ephesians 5:19), that excluded all other types of music. When God specified the elements, he wanted in the Lord’s supper (“fruit of the vine” and “unleavened bread” – Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23), that excluded the use of any other elements. When God specified the realm of the elders’ authority (to the flock “among you” – 1 Peter 5:2), that eliminated their authority over any other congregation. When God specified those to receive benevolent care out of the treasury (“saints” – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2), that excluded church benevolence to all others. When God specified which organization is to do the work of preaching and benevolence (“church” – 1 Timothy 3:15; 5:16), that excluded any other organization (such as a missionary or benevolent society) doing that work.
Does specific authority “exclude” or “only include”? There have been a few to quibble that we are wrong in saying that specific authority “excludes” anything. They contend that specific instructions “only include” that which is specified. For example, they would say that the command to “sing” does not exclude instrumental music, but it only includes singing. This is a play on words. If the specific command “only includes” that which is specified, then other elements within its class are not included. Thus, they are excluded. “Exclude” means “1. To keep out, or shut out … 2. To omit from consideration or notice … 3. To put out, expel” (The American Heritage Dictionary 473). When God said “gopher wood” that “keeps out” or “shuts out” the use of any other kind of wood. Thus, the command “excludes” other kinds of wood.
To use another specific or kind is to go beyond the authority of God. We cannot go beyond what God has said (Numbers 22:18; 2 John 9). The consequences are serious: we do not have God. One cannot justify the use of that which is not authorized saying that it is an “aid” to doing what God said. To use another kind of wood (pine, oak, or cherry) to simply aid in building the ark would be to act without the authority of God. Another kind of wood would be an addition (Revelation 22:18-19) and not an aid. To use the instrument of music thinking it would “aid” the singing is to act without God’s authority. Instrumental music is another kind of music, thus an addition and not an aid. One could as well justify putting blackberry jam on the unleavened bread (to make it more tasteful) as to justify the instrument or any other addition to God’s word. We must learn to respect the silence of God’s word. God’s silence is not permissive. It is prohibitive (Hebrews 7:14). God told Noah to make an ark of gopher wood. He was to do that – no more and no less. We must do the same with the instructions he has given to us.
Guardian of Truth, Volume 37, Issue 3, Page 3, February 4, 1993. [adapted]Water Fountains And Soccer Fields
by Larry Hafley
The Bible does not state that Noah used hammers, saws, and axes in the construction of the ark. However, these instruments were authorized by the command, “Make thee an ark of gopher wood” (Genesis 6:14). Without the instruction to build the ark, the tools would have been unauthorized.
The Bible does not mention church buildings per se. However, they are scriptural because of the authority to assemble (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:18; 14:23; Hebrews 10:25). As church buildings are expedient to carry out the command to assemble, then water fountains and bathrooms are scripturally authorized expedients to assemble. Without the right to assemble, church buildings would be without divine authority.
The Bible does not refer to song books or phone apps that identify the correct pitch. However, they are authorized by the command to sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). They assist us in carrying out the divine direction to “sing and make melody” in our hearts to the Lord. Without the authority to sing, songbooks and aids to help with song pitch would be unscriptural.
The Bible does not talk about white boards or video projectors. However, they are approved by the authority of “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). They assist in doing what the New Testament churches did; namely, teach (Acts 11:22-26). Without the authority to teach, boards and projectors would be contrary to scripture.
The Bible does not say anything about collection baskets. However, they are authorized by the command to “lay by in store” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Without the authority for a contribution, collection baskets would be unauthorized.
The Bible does not mention plates on which to serve the bread or trays to hold the grape juice of the Lord’s Supper. However, they are authorized by the command to “take, eat” and “drink” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). Were there no communion, the plates and trays would not be scriptural.
The Bible does not specifically cite a baptistry (an artificial pool in which baptism is performed). However, the command to baptize authorizes a place to baptize. Without the right to baptize, a baptistry would be without authority (Matt. 7:21-23).
Contrasting Parallels. The Bible does not directly mention the use of pianos and organs in the worship of the church. If we had scriptural authority to “play music,” such instruments would be authorized. As there is Bible authority for song books and pitch devices because we are to sing, so there would be authority for pianos in worship if we were commanded to “play music.” When someone finds scripture for “playing music,” he will have found authority for guitars, trumpets, and every other kind of instrument. Until then, they cannot be used with the approval of heaven.
The Bible does not show where any church built and maintained recreation and entertainment facilities as a part of its work. Just as buildings, bathrooms, and water fountains are authorized by the command to assemble, and plates and trays are authorized by the command to partake of the Lord’s Supper, there would be authority for dinner plates and softball/basketball/soccer teams if the church were authorized to provide social meals and recreation. When someone finds authority for the church to furnish recreation and entertainment, he will have found authority for fellowship halls, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, soccer fields, etc. Until then, these exist without scriptural authority. When we act without authority, we do not have fellowship with God. “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God” (2 John 9).
“Think On These Things,” December 27, 2020 – Volume 4.53