Genesis 8:3-5 tells us, “And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated. And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, UPON THE MOUNTAINS OF ARARAT. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.”

Comparing Genesis 7:11 with Genesis 8:13-15, we know that Noah and his family were on the ark for about one year and 10 days. While we do not know where Noah built the ark, we are told that it landed in the ‘mountains of Ararat’. The Bible does not say that the ark landed on Mount Ararat, but most people refer to that as the landing spot. Mount Ararat is located in the extreme east area of Turkey.

Historically, the Bible does not mention the ark again. It is referred to in relating the story of Noah and the flood, but there is no mention about what happened to the ark once it was evacuated.

Over the years, many have tried to locate the ark, but with no concrete success. Some have claimed to have seen the ark from satellite photos, but that cannot be confirmed. One expedition in the mountains of Iraq claimed to have found the ark, but it is highly unlikely that what was found was the actual ark.

Why has the Lord not allowed us to find and identify the ark? A couple of reasons come to mind:

* People are so quick to find an artifact and give it more attention that it deserves…even to the point of worship. We read in Jude 1:9, “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” The Lord, Himself, buried Moses in a secret place (Deuteronomy 34:5-6). It’s possible the Lord did this lest anyone should be tempted to recover and worship Moses’ body. When Satan tried to take control of the body, Michael prevented him by proclaiming the rebuke of the Lord.

* People are so quick to try to base their belief on something tangible. If the ark was to be located and positively identified, many would proclaim, “Now I believe because I have seen the ark! Now I have proof!” Scripture insists that we believe in the Lord on the basis of faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN.”

So, whatever happened to Noah’s Ark? Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” The Lord has chosen not to reveal this to us. Perhaps in eternity, He might tell us. (339.4)