The first five books of the Bible, otherwise known as the Greek Pentateuch or Jewish Torah or English 'Law', tell a story about three (3) arks...

Noah's Ark

Ark of baby Moses

Ark of the Covenant or Testimony

Once upon a time, in the Beginning, God designed three (3) Arks, and they were very different from each other, yet they served a common purpose. Each was built uniquely special. Ark#1 carried the Notice or Necessity of Salvation, and Ark#2 carried the Plan of Salvation, and Ark#3 carried the Symbols of Salvation.

    "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world."Acts 15:18.

    "There are differences of administrations, but the same Lord, and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all." 1Cor12:5.

WHY WERE THEY CALLED "ARK'S" ??

Why not "boats" ??

ARK #1. Noah's Ark didn't have a rudder or keel or means of propulsion. It was made of gopher wood, Gen6:14, and I'd have called it a floating barn or perhaps a large barge because it was 300x50x30 cubits, and 3 stories high. Sailors today say 'decks' instead of stories.

In addition to all the animals, it carried the "One Family" of Noah, consisting of 4 males and 4 females. 1Peter 1:20 reminds us of that time when "the Ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water". You could argue from this that animals don't have souls -- or maybe their souls don't need saving?? To those who wonder whether animals go to heaven, and want the answer from Scripture, it's a verse which must be considered.

The calling of the animals to the Ark has been likened to MIGRATION, and the year they were aboard has been likened to HIBERNATION -- both are subjects the scientists are still studying... and it seems we don't know whether the animals were full-grown or not..

"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear; prepared an Ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world.." Heb 11:7. Note that now WE are [building] the house of the Lord, Heb3:6, and that Noah's life bridged that Deluge era, and that he died in the year 2006 at the age of 950.

Our learning experience concerning salvation begins with Noah's Flood, commonly referred to as "The Deluge". Everyone except those in the Ark were drowned in that liquid water, and only One Family was "saved". Now in the New Covenant only the Family of God will be going to heaven, and everyone else is figuratively either drowning in the Sea of Life or hell-bent for the Lake of Fire.

"Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our LEARNING!" Rom 15:4

ARK #2. The Ark of Moses also traveled on the water, but it carried just the One Baby, the "One Body", of the person who would deliver the Children of Israel from the oppression of the Pharaoh. This "ark" was made of bulrushes, Ex2:3, and also lacked keel or rudder or means of propulsion -- I'd have called it a tub, or perhaps a sea-going baby buggy.

"That he might sanctify and cleanse it [the church] with the washing of water by the word", Eph 5:26. Scripture is not just the "Bread" of God, but is also the "Living Water", John4:14, for those who hunger & thirst. Rev22:17.

"For we being many are one bread and One Body: for we are all partakers of that one bread". 1Cor 10:17.

Moses floating down the river is a precept of how Jesus is the Living Water come down from Heaven. Both babies came as "strangers" to deliver those who love Truth and Righteousness and those who are oppressed. "Jesus...went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Acts 10:38.

ARK #3. This golden boat was constructed of shittim wood, Ex25:10, and measured 2½ long by 1½ wide by 1½ high (cubits), Ex25:10, and was carried on the shoulders of the designated Levites. I'd have called it a box, or a chest, because it contained the (1) Golden pot of Manna, (2) Aaron's Rod that budded, and (3) Tables of the Covenant. Heb 9:4.
    NO WATER!! They aren't even close to a lake! This third Ark is built according to God's specs, in the desert, a long way from any water. And covered with so much gold there's a possibility it wouldn't have floated anyway...??

This 3^rd Ark signified the presence of God! Sometime's we hear it said that "You can't put God in a box -- He's sovereign and can do whatever He wants". Sounds good, but it isn't really true. God is not a man that he should lie, and He MUST conform to His Word. That's the box He's put himself in!

Neither does God dwell in man-made structures--He wants to dwell in the "CHEST" of man -- in the heart of the believer! And He's truly a trinity of His Word (the tablets), and True Bread (the pot of manna), and New Birth (the Rod that budded). This chest isn't the physical kind that carpenters use or people eye-ball, but rather is the figurative or spiritual that is carried around and along by the five-fold ministry of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. Eph4:11.

WHY WERE THEY CALLED "ARK'S" ?? The Greek word "kibotos" and the Hebrew word "tebah" both translate simply as vessels or boats, so the use of the word "ark" is something of a mystery. Likewise, the Hebrew word "aron" is used for the the Ark of God, Ark of the LORD, Ark of Testimony, or Ark of the Covenant, and this word normally translates as chest or coffin.