How Noah Tenderly Cared for God's Creatures: Ultimate Guide

How Could Noah Care for the Animals?

Have you ever wondered how Noah and his family were able to care for so many animals during their time on the Ark? This is a question often raised by skeptics of the Bible. It may seem like an overwhelming task to clean out all those animal cages every day. However, similar challenges are faced by farmers in certain parts of the world who need to house their animals indoors for extended periods, such as during the winter. These farmers have come up with various solutions to address this issue.

One such solution is a system called a "potstal" or deep litter system, which is commonly used in stables in the Netherlands (Figure 1). In this system, stone supports are placed at the base of wooden columns to allow waste to build up during the winter without causing the wooden poles to rot. The farmer continuously adds fresh straw, peat, or sawdust on top of the existing layer whenever it becomes soiled by animal waste. By the end of winter, a thick layer of bedding, sometimes as much as half a meter, has formed. Surprisingly, even with the waste buildup, the environment remains clean, hygienic, and smelling pleasant. This type of stable is commonly used to house not only sheep but also cows and horses.

Noah and his family faced a similar challenge of keeping animals inside for an extended period of time. The potstal system could have provided them with an effective solution. Farmers in northern Europe have successfully used this system for months at a time.

Another type of stable that could have been used by Noah is called a "grupstal" or gravity drain gutter system (Figure 2). This type of stable consists of a floor covered with straw or other bedding material, with a gutter behind the animals to collect their manure and urine. Cleaning this type of stable is relatively easy—simply push the manure into a collection tank. It requires a smaller amount of bedding material compared to the potstal system. If Noah had used a stable like this, he could have easily flushed the waste out with water, considering that the Ark was surrounded by an abundant supply of water.

John Woodmorappe, in his book "Noah's Ark: A Feasibility Study," has investigated various labor-saving techniques that Noah might have used on the Ark, not only for handling animal waste but also for feeding and watering the animals.

Why This Matters

Understanding how Noah could have cared for the animals on the Ark helps us appreciate the feasibility of the biblical account. It shows that even though it may seem like an enormous task, there are practical solutions that can be employed to manage such a situation. It also demonstrates the ingenuity and skill of Noah and his family in building and maintaining the Ark.

Think About It

Imagine having to care for hundreds or even thousands of animals for an extended period of time. What challenges do you think Noah and his family might have faced? How would you approach solving those challenges? By considering the practical aspects of caring for so many animals, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the task Noah undertook and the faithfulness of God in preserving all living creatures during the flood.

References and notes

1. Potstal, www.drenthe-net.nl/schaapskudde/2002/f0236.html has further pictures.
2. Grupstal is the Dutch name for this type of stable. See koeinfo.mysites.nl/mypages/koeinfo/244562.html.
3. Woodmorappe, J., "Noah's Ark: A Feasibility Study," Institute for Creation Research, California, USA, 1996.