mh_parser/vol_split/1 - Genesis/Chapter 7.xml

<div2 id="Gen.viii" n="viii" next="Gen.ix" prev="Gen.vii" progress="7.30%" title="Chapter VII">
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<h2 id="Gen.viii-p0.1">G E N E S I S</h2>
<h3 id="Gen.viii-p0.2">CHAP. VII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Gen.viii-p1">In this chapter we have the performance of what
was foretold in the foregoing chapter, both concerning the
destruction of the old world and the salvation of Noah; for we may
be sure that no

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word of God shall fall to the
ground. There we left Noah busy about his ark, and full of care to
get it finished in time, while the rest of his neighbours were
laughing at him for his pains. Now here we see what was the end
thereof, the end of his care and of their carelessness. And this
famous period of the old world gives us some idea of the state of
things when the world that now is shall be destroyed by fire, as
that was by water. See <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.3.6-2Pet.3.7" parsed="|2Pet|3|6|3|7" passage="2Pe 3:6,7">2 Pet. iii. 6,
7</scripRef>. We have, in this chapter, I. God's gracious call to
Noah to come into the ark (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.1" parsed="|Gen|7|1|0|0" passage="Ge 7:1">ver.
1</scripRef>), and to bring the creatures that were to be preserved
alive along with him (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.2-Gen.7.3" parsed="|Gen|7|2|7|3" passage="Ge 7:2,3">ver. 2,
3</scripRef>), in consideration of the deluge at hand, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.4" parsed="|Gen|7|4|0|0" passage="Ge 7:4">ver. 4</scripRef>. II. Noah's obedience to this
heavenly vision, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.5" parsed="|Gen|7|5|0|0" passage="Ge 7:5">ver. 5</scripRef>. When
he was six hundred years old, he came with his family into the ark
(<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.6-Gen.7.7" parsed="|Gen|7|6|7|7" passage="Ge 7:6,7">ver. 6, 7</scripRef>), and brought
the creatures along with him (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.8-Gen.7.9" parsed="|Gen|7|8|7|9" passage="Ge 7:8,9">ver. 8,
9</scripRef>), an account of which is repeated (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.13-Gen.7.16" parsed="|Gen|7|13|7|16" passage="Ge 7:13-16">ver. 13-16</scripRef>), to which is added God's tender
care to shut him in. III. The coming of the threatened deluge
(<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.10" parsed="|Gen|7|10|0|0" passage="Ge 7:10">ver. 10</scripRef>); the causes of it
(<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.11-Gen.7.12" parsed="|Gen|7|11|7|12" passage="Ge 7:11,12">ver. 11, 12</scripRef>): the
prevalency of it, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.17-Gen.7.20" parsed="|Gen|7|17|7|20" passage="Ge 7:17-20">ver.
17-20</scripRef>. IV. The dreadful desolations that were made by it
in the death of every living creature upon earth, except those that
were in the ark, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.12" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.21-Gen.7.23" parsed="|Gen|7|21|7|23" passage="Ge 7:21-23">ver.
21-23</scripRef>. V. The continuance of it in full sea, before it
began to ebb, one hundred and fifty days, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p1.13" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.24" parsed="|Gen|7|24|0|0" passage="Ge 7:24">ver. 24</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Gen.viii-p1.14" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7" parsed="|Gen|7|0|0|0" passage="Ge 7" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Gen.viii-p1.15" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.1-Gen.7.4" parsed="|Gen|7|1|7|4" passage="Ge 7:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.7.1-Gen.7.4">
<h4 id="Gen.viii-p1.16">Noah Invited into the Ark. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.viii-p1.17">b. c.</span> 2349.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.viii-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.viii-p2.1">Lord</span>
said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee
have I seen righteous before me in this generation.   2 Of
every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and
his female: and of beasts that <i>are</i> not clean by two, the
male and his female.   3 Of fowls also of the air by sevens,
the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all
the earth.   4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain
upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living
substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the
earth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p3">Here is, I. A gracious invitation of Noah
and his family into a place of safety, now that the flood of waters
was coming, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.1" parsed="|Gen|7|1|0|0" passage="Ge 7:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p4">1. The call itself is very kind, like that
of a tender father to his children, to come in doors, when he sees
night or a storm coming: <i>Come thou, and all thy house,</i> that
small family that thou hast, <i>into the ark.</i> Observe, (1.)
Noah did not go into the ark till God bade him; though he knew it
was designed for his place of refuge, yet he waited for a renewed
command, and had it. It is very comfortable to follow the calls of
Providence, and to see God going before us in every step we take.
(2.) God does not bid him <i>go</i> into the ark, but <i>come</i>
into it, implying that God would go with him, would lead him into
it, accompany him in it, and in due time bring him safely out of
it. Note, wherever we are, it is very desirable to have the
presence of God with us, for this is all in all to the comfort of
every condition. It was this that made Noah's ark, which was a
prison, to be to him not only a refuge, but a palace. (3.) Noah had
taken a great deal of pains to build the ark, and now he was
himself preserved alive in it. Note, what we do in obedience to the
command of God, and in faith, we ourselves shall certainly have the
comfort of, first or last. (4.) Not he only, but his house also,
his wife and children, are called with him into the ark. Note, It
is good to belong to the family of a godly man; it is safe and
comfortable to dwell under such a shadow. One of Noah's sons was
Ham, who proved afterwards a bad man, yet he was saved in the ark,
which intimates, [1.] That wicked children often fare the better
for the sake of their godly parents. [2.] That there is a mixture
of bad with good in the best societies on earth, and we are not to
think it strange. In Noah's family there was a Ham, and in Christ's
family there was a Judas. There is no perfect purity on this side
heaven. (5.) This call to Noah was a type of the call which the
gospel gives to poor sinners. Christ is an ark already prepared, in
whom alone we can be safe when death and judgment come. Now the
burden of the song is, "Come, come;" the word says, "Come;"
ministers say, "Come;" the Spirit says, "Come, come into the
ark."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p5">2. The reason for this invitation is a very
honourable testimony to Noah's integrity: <i>For thee have I seen
righteous before me in this generation.</i> Observe, (1.) Those are
righteous indeed that are righteous before God, that have not only
the form of godliness by which they appear righteous before men,
who may easily be imposed upon, but the power of it by which they
approve themselves to God, who searches the heart, and cannot be
deceived in men's characters. (2.) God takes notice of and is
pleased with those that are righteous before him: <i>Thee have I
seen.</i> In a world of wicked people God could see one righteous
Noah; that single grain of wheat could not be lost, no, not in so
great a heap of chaff. <i>The Lord knows those that are his.</i>
(3.) God, that is a witness to, will shortly be a witness for, his
people's integrity; he that sees it will proclaim it before angels
and men, to their immortal honour. Those that obtain mercy to be
righteous shall obtain witness that they are righteous. (4.) God
is, in a special manner, pleased with those that are good in bad
times and places. Noah was therefore illustriously righteous,
because he was so in that wicked and adulterous generation. (5.)
Those that keep themselves pure in times of common iniquity God
will keep safe in times of common calamity; those that partake not
with others in their sins shall not partake with them in their
plagues; those that are better than others are, even in this life,
safer than others, and it is better with them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p6">II. Here are necessary orders given
concerning the brute-creatures that were to be preserved alive with
Noah in the ark, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.2-Gen.7.3" parsed="|Gen|7|2|7|3" passage="Ge 7:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2,
3</scripRef>. They were not capable of receiving the warning and
directions themselves, as man was, who herein is taught <i>more
than the beasts of the earth, and made wiser than the fowls of
heaven</i>—that he is endued with the power of foresight;
therefore man is charged with the care of them: being under his
dominion, they must be under his protection; and, though he could
not secure every individual,

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yet he must
carefully preserve every species, that no tribe, no, not the least
considerable, might entirely perish out of the creation. Observe in
this, 1. God's care for man, for his comfort and benefit. We do not
find that Noah was solicitous of himself about this matter; but God
consults our happiness more than we do ourselves. Though God saw
that the old world was very provoking, and foresaw that the new one
would be little better, yet he would preserve the brute creatures
for man's use. <i>Doth God take care for oxen?</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.9.9" parsed="|1Cor|9|9|0|0" passage="1Co 9:9">1 Cor. ix. 9</scripRef>. Or was it not rather for
man's sake that this care was taken? 2. Even the unclean beasts,
which were least valuable and profitable, were preserved alive in
the ark; for God's tender mercies are over all his works, and not
over those only that are of most eminence and use. 3. Yet more of
the clean were preserved than of the unclean. (1.) Because the
clean were most for the service of man; and therefore, in favour to
him, more of them were preserved and are still propagated. Thanks
be to God, there are not herds of lions as there are of oxen, nor
flocks of tigers as there are of sheep. (2.) Because the clean were
for sacrifice to God; and therefore, in honour to him, more of them
were preserved, three couple for breed, and the odd seventh for
sacrifice, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.8.20" parsed="|Gen|8|20|0|0" passage="Ge 8:20"><i>ch.</i> viii.
20</scripRef>. God gives us six for one in earthly things, as in
the distribution of the days of the week, that in spiritual things
we should be all for him. What is devoted to God's honour, and used
in his service, is particularly blessed and increased.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p7">III. Here is notice given of the now
imminent approach of the flood: <i>Yet seven days, and I will cause
it to rain,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.4" parsed="|Gen|7|4|0|0" passage="Ge 7:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>.
1. "It shall be seven days <i>yet,</i> before I do it." After the
hundred and twenty years had expired, God grants them a reprieve of
seven days longer, both to show how slow he is to anger and that
punishing work is his strange work, and also to give them some
further space for repentance: but all in vain; these seven days
were trifled away, after all the rest; they continued secure and
sensual until the day that the flood came. 2. "It shall be
<i>but</i> seven days." While Noah told them of the judgment at a
distance, they were tempted to put off their repentance, because
the vision was for a great while to come; but now he is ordered to
tell them that it is at the door, that they have but one week more
to turn them in, but one sabbath more to improve, to see if that
will now, at last, awaken them to consider the things that belong
to their peace, which otherwise will soon be hidden from their
eyes. But it is common for those that have been careless of their
souls during the years of their health, when they have looked upon
death at a distance, to be as careless during the days, the seven
days, of their sickness, when they see it approaching, their hearts
being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.viii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.5-Gen.7.10" parsed="|Gen|7|5|7|10" passage="Ge 7:5-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.7.5-Gen.7.10">
<h4 id="Gen.viii-p7.3">The Deluge. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.viii-p7.4">b. c.</span> 2349.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.viii-p8">5 And Noah did according unto all that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.viii-p8.1">Lord</span> commanded him.   6 And Noah
<i>was</i> six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon
the earth.   7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife,
and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters
of the flood.   8 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that
<i>are</i> not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that
creepeth upon the earth,   9 There went in two and two unto
Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded
Noah.   10 And it came to pass after seven days, that the
waters of the flood were upon the earth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p9">Here is Noah's ready obedience to the
commands that God gave him. Observe, 1. He went into the ark, upon
notice that the flood would come after seven days, though probably
as yet there appeared no visible sign of its approach, no cloud
arising that threatened it, nothing done towards it, but all
continued serene and clear; for, as he prepared the ark by faith in
the warning given that the flood would come, so he went into it by
faith in this warning that it would come quickly, though he did not
see that the second causes had yet begun to work. In every step he
took, he walked by faith, and not by sense. During these seven
days, it is likely, he was settling himself and his family in the
ark, and distributing the creatures into their several apartments.
This was the conclusion of that visible sermon which he had long
been preaching to his careless neighbours, and which, one would
think, might have awakened them; but, not obtaining that desired
end, it left their blood upon their own heads. 2. He took all his
family along with him, his wife, to be his companion and comfort
(though it should seem that, after this, he had no children by
her), his sons, and his sons' wives, that by them not only his
family, but the world of mankind, might be built up. Observe,
Though men were to be reduced to so small a number, and it would be
very desirable to have the world speedily repeopled, yet Noah's
sons were each of them to have but one wife, which strengthens the
argument against having many wives; for from the beginning of this
new world it was not so: as, at first, God made, so now he kept
alive, but one woman for one man. See <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.19.4 Bible:Matt.19.8" parsed="|Matt|19|4|0|0;|Matt|19|8|0|0" passage="Mt 19:4,8">Matt. xix. 4, 8</scripRef>. 3. The brute creatures
readily went in with him. The same hand that at first brought them
to Adam to be named now brought them to Noah to be preserved. The
ox now knew his owner, and the ass his protector's crib, nay, even
the wildest creatures flocked to it; but man had become more
brutish than the brutes

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themselves, and did
not know, did not consider, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.1.3" parsed="|Isa|1|3|0|0" passage="Isa 1:3">Isa. i.
3</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.viii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.11-Gen.7.12" parsed="|Gen|7|11|7|12" passage="Ge 7:11-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.7.11-Gen.7.12">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.viii-p10">11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in
the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day
were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows
of heaven were opened.   12 And the rain was upon the earth
forty days and forty nights.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p11">Here is, I. The date of this great event;
this is carefully recorded, for the greater certainty of the
story.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p12">1. It was in the 600th year of Noah's life,
which, by computation, appears to be 1656 years from the creation.
The years of the old world are reckoned, not by the reigns of the
giants, but the lives of the patriarchs; saints are of more account
with God than princes. <i>The righteous shall be had in everlasting
remembrance.</i> Noah was now a very old man, even as men's years
went then. Note, (1.) The longer we live in this world the more we
see of the miseries and calamities of it; it is therefore spoken of
as the privilege of those that die young that their <i>eyes shall
not see the evil</i> which is coming, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.22.20" parsed="|2Kgs|22|20|0|0" passage="2Ki 22:20">2 Kings xxii. 20</scripRef>. (2.) Sometimes God
exercises his old servants with extraordinary trials of obedient
patience. The oldest of Christ's soldiers must not promise
themselves a discharge from their warfare till death discharge
them. Still they must gird on their harness, and not boast as
though they had put it off. As the year of the deluge is recorded,
so,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p13">2. We are told that it was in the <i>second
month, the seventeenth day of the month,</i> which is reckoned to
be about the beginning of November; so that Noah had had a harvest
just before, from which to victual his ark.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p14">II. The second causes that concurred to
this deluge. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p15">1. In the self-same day that Noah was fixed
in the ark, the inundation began. Note, (1.) Desolating judgments
come not till God has provided for the security of his own people;
see <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.19.22" parsed="|Gen|19|22|0|0" passage="Ge 19:22"><i>ch.</i> xix. 22</scripRef>, I
can <i>do nothing till thou be come thither:</i> and we find
(<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.7.3" parsed="|Rev|7|3|0|0" passage="Re 7:3">Rev. vii. 3</scripRef>) that the winds
are held till the servants of God are sealed. (2.) When good men
are removed judgments are not far off; for they are <i>taken away
from the evil to come,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.57.1" parsed="|Isa|57|1|0|0" passage="Isa 57:1">Isa. lvii.
1</scripRef>. When they are called into the chambers, hidden in the
grave, hidden in heaven, then God is <i>coming out of his place to
punish,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.20-Isa.26.21" parsed="|Isa|26|20|26|21" passage="Isa 26:20,21">Isa. xxvi. 20,
21</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p16">2. See what was done on that day, that
fatal day to the world of the ungodly. (1.) <i>The fountains of the
great deep were broken up.</i> Perhaps there needed no new creation
of waters; what were already made to be, in the common course of
providence, blessings to the earth, were now, by an extraordinary
act of divine power, made the ruin of it. God has laid up the deep
in storehouses (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.33.7" parsed="|Ps|33|7|0|0" passage="Ps 33:7">Ps. xxxiii.
7</scripRef>), and now he broke up those stores. As our bodies have
in themselves those humours which, when God pleases, become the
seeds and springs of mortal diseases, so the earth had in it bowels
those waters which, at God's command, sprang up and flooded it. God
had, in the creation, set <i>bars and doors</i> to the waters of
<i>the sea,</i> that they <i>might not return to cover the
earth</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.104.9 Bible:Job.38.9-Job.38.11" parsed="|Ps|104|9|0|0;|Job|38|9|38|11" passage="Ps 104:9,Job 38:9-11">Ps. civ. 9; Job
xxxviii. 9-11</scripRef>); and now he only removed those ancient
land-marks, mounds, and fences, and the waters of the sea returned
to cover the earth, as they had done at first, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.1.9" parsed="|Gen|1|9|0|0" passage="Ge 1:9"><i>ch.</i> i. 9</scripRef>. Note, All the creatures are
ready to fight against sinful man, and any of them is able to be
the instrument of his ruin, if God do but take off the restraints
by which they are held in during the day of God's patience. (2.)
<i>The windows of heaven were opened,</i> and <i>the waters which
were above the firmament</i> were poured out upon the world; those
treasures which God has <i>reserved against the time of trouble,
the day of battle and war,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.38.22-Job.38.23" parsed="|Job|38|22|38|23" passage="Job 38:22,23">Job
xxxviii. 22, 23</scripRef>. The rain, which ordinarily descends in
drops, then came down in streams, or <i>spouts,</i> as they call
them in the Indies, where clouds have been often known to
<i>burst,</i> as they express it there, when the rain descends in a
much more violent torrent than we have ever seen in the greatest
shower. We read (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.26.8" parsed="|Job|26|8|0|0" passage="Job 26:8">Job xxvi.
8</scripRef>) that <i>God binds up the waters in his thick
clouds,</i> and the <i>cloud is not rent under them;</i> but now
the bond was loosed, the cloud was rent, and such rains descended
as were never known before nor since, in such abundance and of such
continuance: the thick cloud was not, as ordinarily it is, wearied
with waterings (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p16.6" osisRef="Bible:Job.37.11" parsed="|Job|37|11|0|0" passage="Job 37:11">Job xxxvii.
11</scripRef>), that is, soon spent and exhausted; but still the
clouds returned after the rain, and the divine power brought in
fresh recruits. It rained, without intermission or abatement,
<i>forty days and forty nights</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p16.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.12" parsed="|Gen|7|12|0|0" passage="Ge 7:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), and that upon the whole earth
at once, not, as sometimes, <i>upon one city and not upon
another.</i> God made the world in six days, but he was forty days
in destroying it; for he is slow to anger: but, though the
destruction came slowly and gradually, yet it came effectually.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p17">3. Now learn from this, (1.) That all the
creatures are at God's disposal, and that he makes what use he
pleases of them, whether <i>for correction, or for his land, or for
mercy,</i> as Elihu speaks of the rain, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.37.12-Job.37.13" parsed="|Job|37|12|37|13" passage="Job 37:12,13">Job xxxvii. 12, 13</scripRef>. (2.) That God often
makes that which <i>should be for our welfare to become a trap,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.69.22" parsed="|Ps|69|22|0|0" passage="Ps 69:22">Ps. lxix. 22</scripRef>. That which
usually is a comfort and benefit to us becomes, when God pleases, a
scourge and a plague to us. Nothing is more needful nor useful than
water, both the springs of the earth and the showers of heaven; and
yet now nothing was more hurtful, nothing more destructive: every
creature is to us what God makes it. (3.) That it is impossible to
escape the righteous judgments of God

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when
they come against sinners with commission; for God can arm both
heaven and earth against them; see <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.20.27" parsed="|Job|20|27|0|0" passage="Job 20:27">Job xx. 27</scripRef>. God can surround men with the
messengers of his wrath, so that, if they look upwards, it is with
horror and amazement, if they look to the earth, <i>behold, trouble
and darkness,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.8.21-Isa.8.22" parsed="|Isa|8|21|8|22" passage="Isa 8:21,22">Isa. viii. 21,
22</scripRef>. Who then is able to stand before God, when he is
angry? (4.) In this destruction of the old world by water God gave
a specimen of the final destruction of the world that now is by
fire. We find the apostle setting the one of these over against the
other, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.3.6-2Pet.3.7" parsed="|2Pet|3|6|3|7" passage="2Pe 3:6,7">2 Pet. iii. 6, 7</scripRef>.
As there are waters under the earth, so Ætna, Vesuvius, and other
volcanoes, proclaim to the world that there are subterraneous fires
too; and fire often falls from heaven, many desolations are made by
lightning; so that, when the time predetermined comes, between
these two fires the earth and all the works therein shall be burnt
up, as the flood was brought upon the old world out of the
fountains of the great deep and through the windows of heaven.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.viii-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.13-Gen.7.16" parsed="|Gen|7|13|7|16" passage="Ge 7:13-16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.7.13-Gen.7.16">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.viii-p18">13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem,
and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the
three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;   14 They,
and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their
kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after
his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.
  15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of
all flesh, wherein <i>is</i> the breath of life.   16 And they
that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had
commanded him: and the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.viii-p18.1">Lord</span> shut him
in.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p19">Here is repeated what was related before of
Noah's entrance into the ark, with his family and creatures that
were marked for preservation. Now,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p20">I. It is thus repeated for the honour of
Noah, whose faith and obedience herein shone so brightly, by which
he obtained a good report, and who herein appeared so great a
favourite of Heaven and so great a blessing to this earth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p21">II. Notice is here taken of the beasts
going in <i>each after his kind,</i> according to the phrase used
in the history of the creation (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.1.21-Gen.1.25" parsed="|Gen|1|21|1|25" passage="Ge 1:21-25"><i>ch.</i> i. 21-25</scripRef>), to intimate that just
as many kinds as were created at first were saved now, and no more;
and that this preservation was as a new creation: a life remarkably
protected is, as it were, a new life.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p22">III. Though all enmities and hostilities
between the creatures ceased for the present, and ravenous
creatures were not only so mild and manageable as that the <i>wolf
and the lamb lay down together,</i> but so strangely altered as
that the <i>lion did eat straw like an ox</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.11.6-Isa.11.7" parsed="|Isa|11|6|11|7" passage="Isa 11:6,7">Isa. xi. 6, 7</scripRef>), yet, when this occasion was
over, the restraint was taken off, and they were still of the same
kind as ever; for the ark did not alter their constitution.
Hypocrites in the church, that externally conform to the laws of
that ark, may yet be unchanged, and then it will appear, one time
or other, what kind they are after.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p23">IV. It is added (and the circumstance
deserves our notice), <i>The Lord shut him in,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.16" parsed="|Gen|7|16|0|0" passage="Ge 7:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. As Noah continued his
obedience to God, so God continued his care of Noah: and here it
appeared to be a very distinguishing care; for the shutting of this
door set up a partition wall between him and all the world besides.
God shut the door, 1. To secure him, and keep him safe in the ark.
The door must be shut very <i>close,</i> lest the waters should
break in and sink the ark, and very <i>fast,</i> lest any without
should break it down. Thus God made up Noah, as he <i>makes up his
jewels,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Mal.3.17" parsed="|Mal|3|17|0|0" passage="Mal 3:17">Mal. iii. 17</scripRef>.
2. To exclude all others, and keep them for ever out. Hitherto the
door of the ark stood open, and if any, even during the last seven
days, had repented and believed, for aught I know they might have
been welcomed into the ark; but now the door was shut, and they
were cut off from all hopes of admittance: for God <i>shutteth, and
none can open.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p24">V. There is much of our gospel duty and
privilege to be seen in Noah's preservation in the ark. The apostle
makes it a type of our baptism, that is, our Christianity,
<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.3.20-1Pet.3.21" parsed="|1Pet|3|20|3|21" passage="1Pe 3:20,21">1 Pet. iii. 20, 21</scripRef>.
Observe then, 1. It is our great duty, in obedience to the gospel
call, by a lively faith in Christ, to come into that way of
salvation which God has provided for poor sinners. When Noah came
into the ark, he quitted his own house and lands; so must we quit
our own righteousness and our worldly possessions, whenever they
come into competition with Christ. Noah must, for a while, submit
to the confinements and inconveniences of the ark, in order to his
preservation for a new world; so those that come into Christ to be
saved by him must deny themselves, both in sufferings and services.
2. Those that come into the ark themselves should bring as many as
they can in with them, by good instructions, by persuasions, and by
a good example. <i>What knowest thou, O man, but thou mayest thus
save thy wife</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.7.16" parsed="|1Cor|7|16|0|0" passage="1Co 7:16">1 Cor. vii.
16</scripRef>), as Noah did his? There is room enough in Christ for
all comers. 3. Those that by faith come into Christ, the ark, shall
by the power of God be shut in, and kept as in a strong-hold <i>by
the power of God,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.1.5" parsed="|1Pet|1|5|0|0" passage="1Pe 1:5">1 Pet. i.
5</scripRef>. God put Adam into paradise, but he did not shut him
in, and so he threw himself out; but when he put Noah into the ark
he shut him in, and so when he brings a soul to Christ he ensures
its salvation: it is not in our own keeping, but in the Mediator's
hand. 4. The door of mercy will shortly be shut against

<pb id="Gen.viii-Page_62" n="62"/>

those that now make light of it. Now, <i>knock and it
shall be opened;</i> but the time will come when it shall not,
<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p24.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.13.25" parsed="|Luke|13|25|0|0" passage="Lu 13:25">Luke xiii. 25</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.viii-p24.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.17-Gen.7.20" parsed="|Gen|7|17|7|20" passage="Ge 7:17-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.7.17-Gen.7.20">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.viii-p25">17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth;
and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up
above the earth.   18 And the waters prevailed, and were
increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of
the waters.   19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the
earth; and all the high hills, that <i>were</i> under the whole
heaven, were covered.   20 Fifteen cubits upward did the
waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p26">We are here told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p27">I. How long the flood was
increasing—<i>forty days,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.17" parsed="|Gen|7|17|0|0" passage="Ge 7:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. The profane world, who believed
not that it would come, probably when it came flattered themselves
with hopes that it would soon abate and never come to extremity;
but still it increased, it prevailed. Note, 1. When God judges he
will overcome. If he begin, he will make an end; his way is
perfect, both in judgment and mercy. 2. The gradual approaches and
advances of God's judgments, which are designed to bring sinners to
repentance, are often abused to the hardening of them in their
presumption.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p28">II. To what degree they increased: they
rose so high that not only the low flat countries were deluged, but
to make sure work, and that none might escape, the tops of the
highest mountains were overflowed—<i>fifteen cubits,</i> that is,
seven yards and a half; so that <i>in vain was salvation hoped for
from hills or mountains,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Jer.3.23" parsed="|Jer|3|23|0|0" passage="Jer 3:23">Jer. iii.
23</scripRef>. None of God's creatures are so high but his power
can overtop them; and he will make them know that wherein they deal
proudly he is above them. Perhaps the tops of the mountains were
washed down by the strength of the waters, which helped much
towards the prevailing of the waters above them; for it is said
(<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.12.15" parsed="|Job|12|15|0|0" passage="Job 12:15">Job xii. 15</scripRef>), <i>He sends
out the waters,</i> and they not only overflow, but overturn, the
earth. Thus the refuge of lies was swept away, and the waters
overflowed the hiding-place of those sinners (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p28.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.28.17" parsed="|Isa|28|17|0|0" passage="Isa 28:17">Isa. xxviii. 17</scripRef>), and in vain they fly to
them for safety, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p28.4" osisRef="Bible:Rev.6.16" parsed="|Rev|6|16|0|0" passage="Re 6:16">Rev. vi.
16</scripRef>. Now the mountains departed, and the hills were
removed, and nothing stood a man in stead but the <i>covenant of
peace,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p28.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.54.10" parsed="|Isa|54|10|0|0" passage="Isa 54:10">Isa. liv. 10</scripRef>.
There is no place on earth so high as to set men out of the reach
of God's judgments, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p28.6" osisRef="Bible:Jer.49.16 Bible:Obad.1.3-Obad.1.4" parsed="|Jer|49|16|0|0;|Obad|1|3|1|4" passage="Jer 49:16,Ob 1:3,4">Jer.
xlix. 16; Obad. 3, 4</scripRef>. God's hand will <i>find out all
his enemies,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p28.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.21.8" parsed="|Ps|21|8|0|0" passage="Ps 21:8">Ps. xxi. 8</scripRef>.
Observe how exactly they are fathomed (<i>fifteen cubits</i>), not
by Noah's plummet, but by his knowledge who <i>weighs the waters by
measure,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p28.8" osisRef="Bible:Job.28.25" parsed="|Job|28|25|0|0" passage="Job 28:25">Job xxviii.
25</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p29">III. What became of Noah's ark when the
waters thus increased: <i>It was lifted up above the earth</i>
(<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.17" parsed="|Gen|7|17|0|0" passage="Ge 7:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>), <i>and went
upon the face of the waters,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p29.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.18" parsed="|Gen|7|18|0|0" passage="Ge 7:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. When all other buildings were
demolished by the waters, and buried under them, the ark alone
subsisted. Observe, 1. The waters which broke down every thing else
bore up the ark. That which to unbelievers is a savour of death
unto death is to the faithful a savour of life unto life. 2. The
more the waters increased the higher the ark was lifted up towards
heaven. Thus sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions; and
as troubles abound consolations much more abound.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.viii-p29.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.21-Gen.7.24" parsed="|Gen|7|21|7|24" passage="Ge 7:21-24" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.7.21-Gen.7.24">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.viii-p30">21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth,
both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping
thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man:   22 All in
whose nostrils <i>was</i> the breath of life, of all that
<i>was</i> in the dry <i>land,</i> died.   23 And every living
substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both
man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the
heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only
remained <i>alive,</i> and they that <i>were</i> with him in the
ark.   24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred
and fifty days.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p31">Here is, I. The general destruction of all
flesh by the waters of the flood. <i>Come, and see the desolations
which God makes in the earth</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.46.8" parsed="|Ps|46|8|0|0" passage="Ps 46:8">Ps.
xlvi. 8</scripRef>), and how he lays heaps upon heaps. Never did
death triumph, from its first entrance unto this day, as it did
then. Come, and see Death upon his pale horse, and hell following
with him, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p31.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.6.7-Rev.6.8" parsed="|Rev|6|7|6|8" passage="Re 6:7,8">Rev. vi. 7,
8</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p32">1. All the cattle, fowl, and creeping
things, died, except the few that were in the ark. Observe how this
is repeated: <i>All flesh died,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.21" parsed="|Gen|7|21|0|0" passage="Ge 7:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. <i>All in whose nostrils was the
breath of life, of all that was on the dry land,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p32.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.22" parsed="|Gen|7|22|0|0" passage="Ge 7:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. <i>Every living
substance,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p32.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.23" parsed="|Gen|7|23|0|0" passage="Ge 7:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>.
And why so? Man only had done wickedly, and justly is God's hand
against him; but <i>these sheep, what have they done?</i> I answer,
(1.) We are sure God did them no wrong. He is the sovereign Lord of
all life, for he is the sole fountain and author of it. He that
made them as he pleased might unmake them when he pleased; and who
shall say unto him, <i>What doest thou?</i> May he not do what he
will with his own, which were created for his pleasure? (2.) God
did admirably serve the purposes of his own glory by their
destruction, as well as by their creation. Herein his holiness and
justice were greatly magnified; by this it appears that he hates
sin, and is highly displeased with sinners, when even the inferior
creatures, because they are the servants of man and part of his
possession, and because they have been abused to be the servants of
sin, are destroyed with him. This

<pb id="Gen.viii-Page_63" n="63"/>

makes the
judgment the more remarkable, the more dreadful, and, consequently,
the more expressive of God's wrath and vengeance. The destruction
of the creatures was their deliverance from the bondage of
corruption, which deliverance the whole creation now groans after,
<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p32.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.21-Rom.8.22" parsed="|Rom|8|21|8|22" passage="Ro 8:21,22">Rom. viii. 21, 22</scripRef>. It was
likewise an instance of God's wisdom. As the creatures were made
for man when he was made, so they were multiplied for him when he
was multiplied; and therefore, now that mankind was reduced to so
small a number, it was fit that the beasts should proportionably be
reduced, otherwise they would have had the dominion, and would have
replenished the earth, and the remnant of mankind that was left
would have been overpowered by them. See how God considered this in
another case, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p32.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.23.29" parsed="|Exod|23|29|0|0" passage="Ex 23:29">Exod. xxiii.
29</scripRef>, <i>Lest the beast of the field multiply against
thee.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p33">2. All the men, women, and children, that
were in the world (except that were in the ark) died. <i>Every
man</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.21" parsed="|Gen|7|21|0|0" passage="Ge 7:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef> and
<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p33.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.23" parsed="|Gen|7|23|0|0" passage="Ge 7:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>), and perhaps
they were as many as are now upon the face of the earth, if not
more. Now, (1.) We may easily imagine what terror and consternation
seized on them when they saw themselves surrounded. Our Saviour
tells us that till the very day that the flood came they were
<i>eating and drinking</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p33.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.17.26-Luke.17.27" parsed="|Luke|17|26|17|27" passage="Lu 17:26,27">Luke
xvii. 26, 27</scripRef>); they were drowned in security and
sensuality before they were drowned in those waters, crying
<i>Peace, peace,</i> to themselves, deaf and blind to all divine
warnings. In this posture death surprised them, as <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p33.4" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.30.16-1Sam.30.17" parsed="|1Sam|30|16|30|17" passage="1Sa 30:16,17">1 Sam. xxx. 16, 17</scripRef>. But O what an
amazement were they in then! Now they see and feel that which they
would not believe and fear, and are convinced of their folly when
it is too late; now they find no place for repentance, though they
seek it carefully with tears. (2.) We may suppose that they tried
all ways and means possible for their preservation, but all in
vain. Some climb to the tops of trees or mountains, and spin out
their terrors there awhile. But the flood reaches them, at last,
and they are forced to die with the more deliberation. Some, it is
likely, cling to the ark, and now hope that this may be their
safety which they had so long made their sport. Perhaps some get to
the top of the ark, and hope to shift for themselves there; but
either they perish there for want of food, or, by a speedier
despatch, a dash of rain washes them off that deck. Others, it may
be, hoped to prevail with Noah for admission into the ark, and
pleaded old acquaintance, <i>Have we not eaten and drunk in thy
presence? Hast thou not taught in our streets?</i> "Yes," might
Noah say, "that I have, many a time, to little purpose. <i>I called
but you refused; you set at nought all my counsel</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p33.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.1.24-Prov.1.25" parsed="|Prov|1|24|1|25" passage="Pr 1:24,25">Prov. i. 24, 25</scripRef>), and now it is not
in my power to help you: God has shut the door, and I cannot open
it." Thus it will be at the great day. Neither climbing high in an
outward profession, nor claiming relation to good people, will
bring men to heaven, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p33.6" osisRef="Bible:Matt.7.22 Bible:Matt.25.8-Matt.25.9" parsed="|Matt|7|22|0|0;|Matt|25|8|25|9" passage="Mt 7:22,25:8-9">Matt. vii.
22; xxv. 8, 9</scripRef>. Those that are not found in Christ, the
ark, are certainly undone, undone for ever; salvation itself cannot
save them. See <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p33.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.10.3" parsed="|Isa|10|3|0|0" passage="Isa 10:3">Isa. x. 3</scripRef>.
(3.) We may suppose that some of those that perished in the deluge
had themselves assisted Noah, or were employed by him, in the
building of the ark, and yet were not so wise as by repentance to
secure themselves a place in it. Thus wicked ministers, though they
may have been instrumental to help others to heaven, will
themselves be thrust down to hell.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p34">Let us now pause awhile and consider this
tremendous judgment! Let our hearts meditate terror, the terror of
this destruction. Let us see, and say, <i>It is a fearful thing to
fall into the hands of the living God; who can stand before him
when he is angry?</i> Let us see and say, <i>It is an evil thing,
and a bitter, to depart from God.</i> The sin of sinners will,
without repentance, be their ruin, first or last; if God be true,
it will. <i>Though hand join in hand, yet the wicked shall not go
unpunished.</i> The righteous God knows how to bring a flood upon
the world of the ungodly, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.2.5" parsed="|2Pet|2|5|0|0" passage="2Pe 2:5">2 Pet. ii.
5</scripRef>. Eliphaz appeals to this story as a standing warning
to a careless world (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p34.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.22.15-Job.22.16" parsed="|Job|22|15|22|16" passage="Job 22:15,16">Job xxii. 15,
16</scripRef>), <i>Hast thou marked the old way, which wicked men
have trodden, who were cut down out of time,</i> and sent into
eternity, <i>whose foundation was overflown with the flood?</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.viii-p35">II. The special preservation of Noah and
his family: <i>Noah only remained alive, and those that were with
him in the ark,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.23" parsed="|Gen|7|23|0|0" passage="Ge 7:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>. Observe, 1. Noah lives. When all about him were
monuments of justice, thousands falling on his right hand and ten
thousands on his left, he was a monument of mercy. Only with his
eyes might he <i>behold and see the reward of the wicked,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p35.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.91.7-Ps.91.8" parsed="|Ps|91|7|91|8" passage="Ps 91:7,8">Ps. xci. 7, 8</scripRef>. <i>In the
floods of great waters, they did not come nigh him,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p35.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.32.6" parsed="|Ps|32|6|0|0" passage="Ps 32:6">Ps. xxxii. 6</scripRef>. We have reason to think
that, while the long-suffering of God waited, Noah not only
preached to, but prayed for, that wicked world, and would have
turned away the wrath; but his prayers return into his own bosom,
and are answered only in his own escape, which is plainly referred
to, <scripRef id="Gen.viii-p35.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.14.14" parsed="|Ezek|14|14|0|0" passage="Eze 14:14">Ezek. xiv. 14</scripRef>,
<i>Noah, Daniel, and Job, shall but deliver their own souls.</i> A
mark of honour shall be set on intercessors. 2. He but lives. Noah
remains alive, and this is all; he is, in effect, buried
alive—cooped up in a close place, alarmed with the terrors of the
descending rain, the increasing flood, and the shrieks and outcries
of his perishing neighbours, his heart overwhelmed with melancholy
thoughts of the desolations made. But he comforts himself with
this, that he is in the way of duty and in the way of deliverance.
And we are taught (<scripRef id="Gen.viii-p35.5" osisRef="Bible:Jer.45.4-Jer.45.5" parsed="|Jer|45|4|45|5" passage="Jer 45:4,5">Jer. xlv. 4,
5</scripRef>) that when desolating judgments are abroad we must not
seek great nor pleasant things to ourselves, but reckon it an
unspeakable favour if we have our lives given us for a prey.</p>
</div></div2>