In the parallel thoughts department, when I was teaching Genesis 8 and 9 last week, I pointed out that many many miracles took place during the flood.  In fact, just like the Israelites footwear never wore out during the wilderness wondering, God probably had to supernaturally protect the Ark.

To treat Noah’s instructions as if they were the means sufficient to save him is simply not plausible.  And, after all, God could have simply made the Ark.  He didn’t need Noah to build it.

So why give Noah these instructions?  I think it was to give him a chance to express his faith.