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§ 4. THE GENERATIONS OF NOAH (CH. 6:9-9:29).
EXPOSITION
Gen_6:9
These are the generations of Noah. "Novi capitis initium = "haec est historia Noachi (Rosenmüller; cf. Gen_5:1). Noah (vide Gen_5:29) was a just man. öÇãÄÌé÷ : not of spotless innocence (Knobel); but upright, honest, virtuous, pious (vir probus); from öÈãÇÌ÷ , to be straight, hence to be just; Piel to render just or righteous (Eccl. Lat; justificare), to declare any one just or innocent (Gesenius); better "justified" or declared righteous, being derived from the Piel form of the verb (Furst). "Evidently the righteousness here meant is that which represents him as justified in view of the judgment of the Flood, by reason of his faith, Heb_11:7" (Lange). "To be just is to be right in point of law, and thereby entitled to all the blessings of the acquitted and justified. When applied to the guilty this epithet implies pardon of sin among other benefits of grace" (Murphy). And perfect. úÈÌîÄéí : complete, whole ( ôå ì ëåéïò , integer); i.e. perfect in the sense not of sinlessness, but of moral integrity (Gesenius, Calvin). It describes "completeness of parts rather than of degrees in the renewed character" (Bush). "The just is the right in law, the perfect is the tested in holiness" (Murphy). If, however, the term is equivalent to the ôåëåé ì ùóéò of the Christian system (1Co_2:6; Heb_7:11), it denotes that complete readjustment of the being of a sinful man to the law of God, both legally and morally, which is effected by the whole work of Christ for man and in man; it is "the establishment of complete, unclouded, and enduring communion with God, and the full realization of a state of peace with him which, founded on a true and ever valid remission of sins, has for its consummation eternal glory" (Delitzsch on Heb_7:11). In his generations. áÀÌãÀÉøÉúÇéå , from ãÌåÌø , to go in a circle; hence a circuit of years; an age or generation (generatio, seeulum) of men. The clause marks not simply the sphere of Noah's virtue, among his contemporaries, or only the duration of his piety, throughout his lifetime, but likewise the constancy of his religion, which, when surrounded by the filth of iniquity on every side, contracted no contagion (Calvin). "It is probable, moreover, that he was of pure descent, and in that respect also distinguished from his contemporaries, who were the offspring of promiscuous marriages between the godly and the ungodly" (Murphy). And Noah walked with God. The special form in which his just and perfect character revealed itself amongst his sinful contemporaries. For the import of the phrase see on Gen_5:22. Noah was also a preacher of righteousness (2Pe_2:5), and probably announced to the wicked age in which -he lived the coming of the Flood (Heb_11:7).
Gen_6:10
And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth (cf. Gen_5:32). Here (in the story of the Flood) if anywhere, observes Rosenmüller, can traces be detected of two distinct documents (duorum monumentorum), in the alternate use of the names of the Deity, the frequent repetitions of the same things, and the use of peculiar forms of expression; and in Gen_6:9-13, compared with Gen_6:5-8, Bleek, Tuch, Colenso, and others find' the first instance of needless repetition, on the supposition of the unity of the narrative, but a sure index of the Elohistic pen, on the hypothesis of different authors; but the so-called "repetition" is explained by remembering that Gen_6:5-8 forms the close of a section "bringing down the history to the point at which the degeneracy of mankind causes God to resolve on the destruction of the world," while the new section, which otherwise would begin too abruptly, introduces the account of the Deluge by a brief description of its cause. The structure of the narrative here is not different from what it appears elsewhere (cf. Gen_2:4; Gen_5:1).
Gen_6:11
The earth—
(1) its inhabitants, as in Gen_6:11 (cf. Gen_11:1)—mankind being denominated earth because wholly earthly (Chrysostom);
(2) the land, which had become defiled through their wickedness (Gen_6:12, Gen_6:13; cf. Psa_107:34)—also (literally, and the earth) was corrupt—in a moral sense, the causes and forms of which corruption have already been detailed in the preceding paragraph. The term is elsewhere applied to idolatry, or the sin of perverting and depraving the worship of God (Exo_32:7; Deu_32:5; Jdg_2:19; 2Ch_27:2); but the special sins of the antediluvians were rather licentiousness and lawlessness—before God—i.e. openly, publicly, flagrantly, and presumptuously (cf. Gen_10:9); noting the intensity of their wickedness, or intimating the fact that God had seen their corruption, and so commending the Divine long-suffering (Calvin),—and the earth was filled with violence. "The outward exhibition of inward carnality" (Murphy); "injurious and cruel dealing, the violating of duties towards men, 'rapines or robberies (Chaldee)'" (Ainsworth). Cf. Gen_49:5; Joe_3:19; Oba_1:10.
Gen_6:12
And God looked upon the earth. "God knows at all times what is doing in our world, but his looking upon the earth denotes a special observance of it, as though he had instituted an inquiry into its real condition" (Bush; cf. Psa_14:2; Psa_33:13, Psa_33:14; Psa_80:2, Psa_80:3). And, behold, it was corrupt. "Everything stood in sharpest contradiction with that good state which God the Creator had established" (Delitzsch, quoted by Lange). The nature of this corruption is further indicated. For all flesh, i.e. the human race, who are so characterized here not so much for their frailty (Isa_40:5, Isa_40:6) as for their moral and spiritual degeneracy (Gen_6:3, q.v. )—had corrupted—skachath ( êáôáöèåé ì ñù , LXX. ); literally, had destroyed, wrecked, and ruined, wholly subverted and overthrown—his way—derech (from darach, to tread with the feet), a going; hence a journey, a way; e.g.
(1) of living or acting (Pro_12:15; 1Sa_18:1-30 :44)';
(2) of worshipping God— ï ̓ äï Ì ò , Act_19:9, Act_19:23 (Psa_139:24; Amo_8:14).
Here it signifies the entire plan and course of life in all its ethical and religious aspects as designed for man by God (cf. Psa_119:9; and contrast "the way of Cain," Jud_1:11; "the way of Balaam," 2Pe_2:15)—upon the earth.
Gen_6:13
And God said unto Noah, The end. ÷Åõ (from Hophal of ÷ÈöÇõ , to cut off) that which is cut off, the end of a time (Gen_4:3) or of a space (Isa_37:24); specially the end or destruction of a people (Eze_7:2; Amo_8:2), in which sense it is to be here understood (Gesenius, Rosenmüller). The rendering which regards ketz as, like ôå ì ëïò —the completion, consummation, fullness of a thing (here of human fleshliness or wickedness), and the following clause as epexegetic of the present (Bush), though admissible in respect of Scriptural usage (cf. Jer_51:13; Ecc_12:13; Rom_10:4) and contextual harmony, is scarcely so obvious; while a third, that the end spoken of is the issue to which the moral corruption of the world was inevitably tending (Keil, Lange), does not materially differ from the first. Of all flesh, I.e. of the human race, of course with the exception of Noah and his family, which "teaches us to beware of applying an inflexible literality to such terms as all, when used in the sense of ordinary conversation" (Murphy). Is come before me. Literally, before my face. Not "a me constitutus est" (Gesenius), "is decreed before my throne" (Kalisch); but, "is in the contemplation of my mind as an event soon to be realized" (Murphy), with perhaps a glance at the circumstance that man's ruin had not been sought by God, but, as it were, had thrust itself upon his notice as a thing that could no longer be delayed. If áÈÌà ìÀôÈðÇé = the similar expression áÈÌà àÆì , which, when applied to rumors, signifies to reach the ear (cf. Gen_18:21; Exo_3:9; 1Ki_2:1-46 : 28; Est_9:11), it may likewise indicate the closeness or near approach of the impending calamity. For the earth is filled with violence through them. More correctly, "from their faces; a facie eorum" (Vulgate). That is, "the flood of wickedness which comes up before God's face goes out from their face" in the sense of being perpetrated openly (Lange), and "by their conscious agency" (Alford). And, behold, I will destroy them. Literally, and behold me destroying them. The verb is the same as is translated "corrupt' in Gen_6:12, q.v; as if to convey the idea of fitting retribution (cf. 1Co_3:17 : åé ̓ ì ôéò ôï Ì í íáï Ì í ôïõ ͂ èåïõ ͂ äèåé ì ñåé öèåñåé ͂ ôïõ ͂ ôïí ï ̔ èåï ì ò ; Rev_11:18 : êáé Ì äéáöèåé ͂ ñáé ôïõ Ì ò äéáöèåé ì ñïíôáò ôç Ì í ãç ͂ í ). Whether this destruction which was threatened against the antediluvian sinners ex tended to the loss of their souls throughout eternity may be reasoned (pro and con) from other Scriptures, but cannot be determined from this place, which refers solely to the-extinction of their bodily lives. With the earth. Not from the earth (Samaritan), or on the earth (Syriac, Rosenmüller), or even the earth, "thus identifying the earth with its inhabitants" (Bush), but, together with the earth (Kalisch, Keil, Alford; cf. Gen_9:11; êáé Ì ôç Ì í ãç ͂ í , LXX.). The universality of representation which characterizes this section (Gen_6:9-13) is regarded by Davidson, Colenso, and others as contradictory of Gen_6:5, which depicts the corruption as only human, and limits the destruction to the race of man. But as the two accounts belong to different subdivisions of the book, they cannot properly be viewed as contradictory.
Gen_6:14
Make thee an ark. úÅÌáÇú , constr. of úÅÌáÈä , etymology unknown (Gesenius); of Shemitic origin, from úÈÌáÈä , to be hollow (Furst); of Egyptian derivation, a boat being called tept (Keil, Kalisch, Knobel); from the Sanskrit pota, a pot or boat (Bohlen); "a peculiar archaic term for a very unusual thing, like îÇáÌåÌì , the term for the Flood itself" (T. Lewis); translated êéâùôï ì ò èé ì âç (LXX.), area (Vulgate), ëá ì ñíáî (Nicolas Damaseenus), ðëïé ͂ ïí (Berosus); not a ship in the ordinary acceptation of the word, but a box or chest (cf. Exo_2:3) capable of floating on the waters. "Similar vessels, generally, however, drawn by horses or men, were and are still used in some parts of Europe and Asia" (Kalisch). Of gopher wood. Literally, woods of gopher ( âÉôÆø : á ̔ ì ðáî ëåã .; the root of which, like ëôø , seams to signify to cover (Kalisch); ligna bituminata (Vulgate); pitch trees, resinous trees, such as are used in ship-building (Gesenius); most likely cypress, êõðá ì ñéóóïò (Bochart, Celsius, Keil), which was used "in some parts of Asia exclusively as the material for ships, in Athens for coffins, and in Egypt for mummy cases" (Kaliseh). "It is said too that the gates of St. Peter's Church at Rome (made of this wood), which lasted from the time of Constantine to that of Eugene IV; 1. a 1100 years, had in that period suffered no decay" (Bush). Rooms—kinnim, nests, applied metaphorically to the chambers of the ark—shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. åÀëÈôÇøÀúÈÌ áÇÌëÉÌôÆø : literally, shalt cover it with a covering. The substance to be employed was probably bitumen or asphalt ( á ̓ ì óöáëôïò , LXX.; bitumen, Vulgate). The root (cf. English, cover) signifies also to pardon sin, i.e. to cover them from God's sight (Psa_65:3; Psa_78:38; 2Ch_30:18), and to make expiation for sin, i.e. to obtain covering for them (Gen_32:20; Dan_9:24); whence gopher is used for a ransom (Exo_21:30; Exo_30:12), and capporeth, the covering of the ark (Exo_25:17), for the mercy-seat ( é ̔ ëáóôç ì ñéïí , LXX.; propitiatorium, Vulgate).
Gen_6:15
And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of. The shape of it is not described, but only its dimensions given. The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits,—a cubit = the length from the elbow to the middle finger (Deu_3:11); nearly twenty-two inches, if the sacred cubit; if the common, eighteen inches,—the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. With a cubit of twenty-one inches, the length would he 525 feet, the breadth 87 feet 6 inches, dimensions not dissimilar to those of the Great Eastern which is 680 feet long, 83 feet broad, and 58 feet deep. The cubic contents of the ark with these dimensions would be 2,411,718'75 feet, which, allowing forty cubic feet per ton, would give a carrying capacity equal to 32,800 tons. P. Jansen of Holland, in 1609, proved by actual experiment that a ship constructed after the pattern of the ark, though not adapted for sailing, would in reality carry a cargo greater by one-third than any other form of like cubical content. The difficulty of building a vessel of such enormous magnitude, T. Lewis thinks, may be got over by remembering the extreme simplicity of its structure, the length of time allowed for its erection, the physical constitution of the builders, and the facilities for obtaining materials which may have existed in abundance in their vicinity. Bishop Wilkins ('Essay towards a Philosophical Character and Language'), Dr. A. Clarke, and Bush are satisfied that the ark was large enough to contain all the animals directed to be taken into it, along with provision for a twelvemonth; but computations founded on the number of the species presently existing must of necessity be precarious; and besides, it is at least doubtful whether the Deluge was universal, or only partial and local, in which case the difficulty (so called) completely vanishes.
Gen_6:16
A window— òÉäÇø , from òÈäÇø , to shine, hence light ( òÈäÂøÇéÄí , double light, or light of midday—Gen_43:16; Jer_6:4). Not the window which Noah afterwards opened to let out the dove, which is called äÇìÌåÉï (Gen_8:6), but obviously a lighting apparatus, which may have been a series of windows (Gesenius), scarcely one (Theodotion, èõ ì ñáí ; Symmachus, äéáöáíå ì ò ; Vulgate, fenestram; Kimchi, Luther, Calvin); or an opening running along the top of the sides of the ark, occupied by some translucent substance, and sheltered by the eaves of the roof (Knobel); or, what appears more probable, a light opening in the upper deck, stretching along the entire length, and continued down through the different stories (Baumgarten, Lange); or, if the roof sloped, as is most likely, an aperture along the ridge, which would admit the clear light of heaven (tsohar), and serve as a meridional line enabling Noah and the inmates of the ark to ascertain the hour of noon (Taylor Lewis). Keil and Murphy think we can form no proper conception of the light arrangement of the ark. The conjecture of Schultens, which is followed by Dathius, Michaelis, Rosenmüller, and others, that the tsohar meant the covering (tectum, dorsum), "quo sane hoc aedificium carere non potuit, propter pluviam tot diernm continuam," is obviously incorrect—shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit—to a cubit, i.e. all but a cubit (T. Lewis); into a cubit, i.e. to the extent of a cubit (Ainsworth); by the cubit, i.e. by a just measure (Kalisch)—shalt thou finish it—not the window (Gesenins, Ewald, Tueh), the feminine suffix agreeing with tebah, which is feminine, and not with tsohar, which is masculine; but the ark—above. Literally, from above to above; i.e; according to the above interpretations of the preposition, either the roof, after the construction of the windows, should be regularly finished "by the just measure" (Kalisch); or the roof should be arched but a cubit, that it might be almost flat (Ainsworth); or from the eaves up toward the ridge it should be completed, leaving a cubit open or unfinished (T. Lewis). And the door of the ark—the opening which should admit its inmates—shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories. The word stories is not in the original, but some such word must be supplied. Lunge thinks that each fiat or story had an entrance or door in the side.
Gen_6:17
And, behold, I, even I. More correctly, "And I, behold, I," an emphatic assertion that what was coming was a Divine visitation, and not simply a natural occurrence. Do bring. Literally, bringing, the participle standing in place of the finite verb to indicate the certainty of the future action. A flood of waters upon the earth. îÇëÌåÌì , pronounced by Bohlen "far-fetched," "is an archaic word coined expressly for the waters of Noah (Isa_44:9), and is used nowhere else except Psa_29:10 waters upon the earth" (Keil). The first intimation of the means to be employed in inflicting judgment on the morally corrupted world. To destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. The fishes only being excepted, "either
(1) because they did not live in the same element wherein man lived and sinned; or
(2) because they were not so instrumental in man's sins as the beasts might be; or
(3) because man had a greater command over the beasts than over the fishes, and greater service and benefit from them" (Poole).
Gen_6:18
But with thee will I establish my covenant. áÀÌøéú ( äéáèç ì êç , LXX.; foedue, Vulgate; testamentum, N.T.), from áÈÌøÇà , to cut or carve; hence a covenant, from the custom of passing between the divided pieces of the victims slain on the occasion of making such solemn compacts (cf. Gen_15:9; Gesenius); from áÈÌøÇä , to eat, hence an eating together, a banquet (cf. Gen_31:54; Lee). On the Bible idea of covenant see Gen_15:9. My covenant = the already well-known covenant which I have made with man. And thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy son's wives with thee. This was the substance of the covenant agreement so far as Noah was concerned. The next three verses describe the arrangements about the animals.
Gen_6:19-21
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort (literally, by twos, i.e. in pairs) shalt thou bring into—or cause to enter, i.e. receive them when they come (Gen_6:20)—the ark, to keep them alive—literally, to cause to live; é ̓ ì íá ôñå ì öçò (LXX.); in order to preserve alive (sc. the animals)—with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind (literally, of the fowl after its kind), and of cattle after their kind (literally, of the cattle after its kind), of every creeping thing of the earth after its bind, two of every sort shall come unto thee. "Non hominis actu, sed Dei nutu". Perhaps through an instinctive presentment of the impending calamity (Lange, 'Speaker's Commentary'). And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee (collecting sufficient for a twelve month's sustenance); and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
Gen_6:22
Thus did Noah; according to all that God (Elohim; in Gen_7:5 it is Jehovah) commanded (with respect to the building of the ark, the receiving of the animals, the collecting of provisions) him, so did he.
HOMILETICS
Gen_6:9-22
The building of the ark.
I. THE MAN AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES. A common saying, and one possessed of a show of wisdom, that a person seldom rises far above the average goodness, or sinks far below the average wickedness, of the age in which he lives. Yet it is precisely in proportion as individuals either excel or fall beneath their generation that they are able to affect it for good or evil. All epoch-making men are of this stamp. Noah, it is obvious, was not a man whose character was shaped by his contemporaries. In respect of three things, the contrast between him and them was as great and decided as could well be imagined.
1. Legal standing. Noah was a just man, i.e. a sinner justified by his believing acceptance of the gospel promise of the woman's seed; while they were corrupt, or bad declined into infidelity.
2. Spiritual character. Noah was perfect in the sense that his heart was right with God, and his nature was renewed by Divine grace; they were wanting in all the essential characteristics of true being, "alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that was in them, because of the hardness of their hearts."
3. Outer walk. As a consequence the daily life of Noah was one of eminent piety—a walking with God, like that of Enoch; while theirs was one of impious defiance of the laws of God, and ruthless oppression of the rights of men. Learn
(1) that it is quite possible to be pious in the midst of evil times; and
(2) that only a life of close communion with God will prevent one from being overborne by the wickedness of his age.
II. THE EVENT AND ITS OCCASION. The event was—
1. Appalling in its form. The destruction of a world by a flood of waters. "In the beginning," at God's command, the goodly fabric had risen from the waters (Gen_1:2; 2Pe_3:5), radiant in beauty, swimming in a sea of light, rejoicing its Creator's heart (Gen_1:31); now it was about to return to the dark and formless matrix whence it sprang. If the world's birth woke music among the morning stars (Job_38:7), surely its destruction was enough to make the angels weep!
2. Universal in its sweep. Without engaging at present in any controversy as to the actual extent of the Deluge, we may notice that Elohim represents it as destructive of the entire human race (Noah and his family excepted). Considering the impression made upon our hearts by the report of some sudden accident (the explosion of a mine, the sinking of a ship, the collision of a train), in which a number of lives are lost, it is not wonderful that the echo of this stupendous catastrophe should have vibrated through the world (see 'Traditions of the Deluge').
3. Supernatural in its origin. It was not an ordinary occurrence, but a distinctly miraculous phenomenon. "Behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth."
4. Punitive in its purpose. Its retributive character was distinctly implied in the form of its announcement—"I will destroy." All temporal calamities are not of this description. That all suffering is penal was the mistake of Job's friends (Job_4:7, et passim), though not of Job himself, and certainly it is not the teaching of the Bible (cf. Job_33:29; Psa_94:12; Rom_8:28; 2Co_4:17). But this was—
5. Melancholy in its occasion—the total, absolute, and radical corruption of the earth's inhabitants. Through unbelief and disobedience they had ruined the moral nature which God had given them; and now there was no help for it but that they should be swept away.
6. Inevitable in its coming. Implied in one interpretation of the words "the end of all flesh" (vide Expos.). Sin ever carries its own retribution in its bosom; not merely, however, in recoiling upon itself with inward misery, sense of loss, weakness, depravation; but likewise in necessitating the infliction on the part of Elohim of positive retribution.
7. Near in its approach. "Behold, I am bringing I" as if it were already at hand. See here
(1) the danger of sin;
(2) the certainty of retribution;
(3) the righteousness of the wrath of God;
(4) the mercy of God in making this known to sinners, as he foretold the Flood to the antediluvians.
III. THE COMMISSION AND ITS EXECUTION.
1. It related to the safety of the Church (verse 18). At that time the antediluvian Church was small, consisting only of Noah and his family (Gen_7:1), and in all probability uninfluential and despised, by the Gibborim and Nephilim of the day ridiculed and oppressed. Endangered by the immorality and violence of the times, it was likewise imperiled by the impending Deluge. Yet God never leaves his people unprotected or unprovided for (Deu_33:12; Psa_34:15; Psa_46:5; Zec_2:5; 2Pe_2:9). The Church of God and Christ is imperishable (Isa_54:17; Mat_16:18; Mat_18:14). That was symbolized to Israel by the burning bush (Exo_3:2), and to all postdiluvian time by the ark. It was impossible that God could be unconcerned about the safety of the believing remnant in antediluvian times. The commission which came to Noah concerned the rescue of himself and children.
2. It was Divinely given (verses 13, 14). Salvation is of the Lord (Psa_3:8; Jon_2:9). Manifestly only God could have provided for the safety of Noah and his family. Directions from any other quarter, or even expedients devised by himself, must have proved both futile and presumptuous. So, whatever instructions may be given to man with a view to salvation must come from God, if they are to be successful. Schemes of redemption may be beautiful, ingenious, attractive, hopeful; if they are not God's schemes they are worthless (Isa_43:11; Hos_13:4).
3. It was minutely detailed (verses 14-16). The plan which God proposed to Noah for the salvation of himself and house was building of an ark according to Divinely-prepared specifications. In its construction there was no room left for the exercise of inventive genius. Like the tabernacle in the wilderness, it was fashioned according to a God-given pattern. And so, in all that concerns the salvation of sinful men, from first to last the plan is God's, admitting neither of addition nor subtraction, correction nor improvement, at the hands of the men themselves.
4. It was believingly received (Heb_11:7). Perhaps the last device that would ever have suggested itself to the mind of Noah, very likely ridiculed by his contemporaries as an act of folly, probably at times regarded with considerable misgivings by the patriarch himself, and certainly an undertaking that would involve immense labor, patient endurance, heroic self-sacrifice, it was yet accepted in a spirit of meek and unquestioning faith. And so should it be with us. When God speaks we should hear. When he directs we should obey.
5. It was obediently carried through (verse 22). This was the best test of his faith. Where obedience is absent, faith is not present. Faith always discovers its existence by obedience (Heb_11:8). Learn—
(1) God's care of his people.
(2) The sufficiency of God's plan of salvation.
(3) The wisdom of implicitly following God's directions.
Gen_6:22
The obedience of Noah.
I. Pious in its PRINCIPLE.
II. PROMPT in its OPERATION.
III. LABORIOUS in its EXERCISE.
IV. UNIVERSAL in its EXTENT.
V. PERSEVERING in its COURSE.
VI. SUCCESSFUL in its END.
Righteousness and peace.
The description of Noah is very similar to that of Enoch, just and perfect in his generation, that is, blameless in his walk before men, which is saying much of one who lived in a time of universal corruption. And he walked with God, i.e. devout and religious, and, from the analogy of the preceding use of the words, we may say, a prophet. He preached righteousness both with lip and life. To this good and great prophet the announcement is made of the coming judgment. "The secret Of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant." The earth is filled with violence through men, and therefore with man must be destroyed. With the message of judgment there is also the message of mercy, as at the first.
THE ARK, AN EMBLEM OF SALVATION BY GRACE, AS AFTERWARDS (cf. 1Pe_3:19-22). The offer of salvation was a trial of faith. God did not himself provide the ark; it was made by the hands of men, of earthly materials, with ordinary earthly measurements and appointments, and prepared as for an ordinary occasion. There was nothing in the visible ark to stumble faith; but, as it was connected with a positive commandment and prophecy, it was a demand on the simple faith of the true child of God, which is of the nature of obedience. We cannot doubt that this Divine message to Noah was the Bible of that time. It appealed to faith as the word of God. And, as in all times, with the written or spoken word there was the unwritten law, the lex non scripta; for we are told that "Noah did according to all that God commanded him, so did he." In this primitive dispensation notice these things:—
1. The righteousness of God is the foundation.
2. The accordance of the world with God's heart, as at once commanding righteousness and hating violence, is the condition of its preservation.
3. The mercy of God is connected with his special revelations in and by the men who have found grace in his sight.
4. The provisions of redemption are embodied in an ark, which is the symbol of Divine ordinances and the associated life of believers.
5. The salvation of man is the real end and aim of all judgments.
6. With the redeemed human race there is a redeemed earth—creatures kept alive in the ark to commence, with the family of God, a new life.
7. While we must not push the symbology of the Flood too far, still it is impossible to overlook the figure which the Apostle Peter saw in the ark floating on the waters—the Church of Christ as washed by the Holy Ghost in those waters, which represent not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.—R.
The way of safety.
Prediction of deluge and way of escape were alike trials of faith; beyond reach of foresight; rejected or neglected by the world. Key to the typical meaning, 1Pe_3:20, 1Pe_3:21. Baptism the initial seal of the Christian covenant. Text therefore sets forth salvation through Christ.
I. "Make thee an ark." Why? BECAUSE SENTENCE OF DEATH RESTS UPON ALL MEN (Rom_5:12). As in the destruction of first-born (Exo_11:5). No exceptions. Covenant people saved only by the blood; so here (cf. Job_9:30). Men, even now, are slow to believe this. Maxims of society contradict it. From childhood trained to live as if no danger, as if many things more important than salvation. And when preacher proclaims (Act_2:40), men listen and approve and go on as before. Yet this is the first step towards salvation, the first work of the Holy Spirit—to convince careless (Mat_16:26) and well-living people that they cannot save themselves. Until this is done Christ has no attractiveness (Isa_53:2). Who would shut himself up in the ark if no deluge coming? Who would trust it if another way would afford safety?
II. "Make thee an ark." IT IS GOD'S APPOINTED WAY OF SAFETY. "The Lord hath made known his salvation." As surely as the deluge is according to his word, so surely is the way of deliverance (Rom_5:20). But mark the way. Can you trust that which seems so frail? At the root of sin lies unbelief of God's truth. This caused the fall. God says, Will you trust me? One will say, I live a good life; is not that the main thing? (cf. 1Co_3:11). Another, I pray that God would love me, and be reconciled to me. Does he not love thee? (Tit_3:4). Is he not longing for thee? (Isa_1:18). And is not this unbelief of what God says? Thou needest indeed to pray that the Holy Spirit should open thine eyes to what God has done. But that thy prayer may be answered there must be the will to be taught (Psa_85:8).
III. "Make thee an ark." THE TEST OF FAITH. There is a faith which does nothing, which merely- accepts a doctrine. Such was not that of Noah. His life's work was to act on what he believed. The object of our faith is Jesus Christ, the personal, living, loving Savior; not merely the doctrine that he died and rose again. "Make thee an ark" is more than knowledge that he is the Deliverer. It is taking refuge in him, and walking in his steps.—M.