Genesis:7

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* Verse 1-12 - The call to Noah is very kind , like that of a tender father to his children to come in-doors when he sees night or a storm coming . Noah did not go into the ark till God bade him , though he knew it was to be his place of refuge . It is very comfortable to see God going before us in every step we take . Noah had taken a great deal of pains to build the ark , and now he was himself kept alive in it . What we do in obedience to the command of God , and in faith , we ourselves shall certainly have the comfort of , first or last . This call to Noah reminds us of the call the gospel gives to poor sinners . Christ is an ark , in whom alone we can be safe , when death and judgment approach . The word says , "Come ;" ministers say , "Come ;" the Spirit says , "Come , come into the Ark ." Noah was accounted righteous , not for his own righteousness , but as an heir of the righteousness which is by faith , Hebrews strkjv @11:7 . He believed the revelation of a saviour , and sought and expected salvation through Him alone . Thus was he justified by faith , and received that Spirit whose fruit is in all goodness ; but if any man have not the Spirit of Christ , he is none of his . After the hundred and twenty years , God granted seven days ' longer space for repentance . But these seven days were trifled away , like all the rest . It shall be but seven days . They had only one week more , one sabbath more to improve , and to consider the things that belonged to their peace . But it is common for those who 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 few days of their sickness , when they see death approaching ; their hearts being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin . As Noah 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 . And on the day Noah was securely fixed in the ark , the fountains of the great deep were broken up . The earth had within it those waters , which , at God 's command , sprang up and flooded it ; and thus our bodies have in themselves those humours , which , when God pleases , become the seeds and springs of mortal diseases . The windows of heaven were opened , and the waters which were above the firmament , that is , in the air , were poured out upon the earth . The rain comes down in drops ; but such rains fell then , as were never known before or since . It rained without stop or abatement , forty days and forty nights , upon the whole earth at once . As there was a peculiar exercise of the almighty power of God in causing the flood , it is vain and presumptuous to attempt explaining the method of it , by human wisdom . * Verse 13-16 - The ravenous creatures were made mild and manageable ; yet , when this occasion was over , they were of the same kind as before ; for the ark did not alter their natures . Hypocrites in the church , who outwardly conform to the laws of that ark , are yet unchanged ; and it will appear , one time or other , what kind they are after . God continued his care of Noah . God shut the door , to secure him and keep him safe in the ark ; also to keep all others for ever out . In what manner this was done , God has not been pleased to make known . There is much of our gospel duty and privilege to be seen in Noah 's safety in the ark . The apostle makes it a type of christian baptism , 1st Peter strkjv @3:20 ,21 . Observe then , 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 . Those that come into the ark , should bring as many as they can with them , by good instructions , by persuasions , and by good examples . There is room enough in Christ for all comers . God put Adam into paradise , but did not shut him in , so he threw himself out ; but when God put Noah into the ark , and so when he brings a soul to Christ , the salvation is sure : it is not in our own keeping , but in the Mediator 's hand . But the door of mercy will shortly be shut against those that now make light of it . Knock now , and it shall be opened , Luke strkjv @13:25 . * Verse 17-20 - The flood was increasing forty days . The waters rose so high , that the tops of the highest mountains were overflowed more than twenty feet . There is no place on earth so high as to set men out of the reach of God 's judgments . God 's hand will find out all his enemies , Psalms strkjv @21:8 . When the flood thus increased , Noah 's ark was lifted up , and the waters which broke down every thing else , bore up the ark . That which to unbelievers betokens death unto death , to the faithful betokens life unto life . * Verse 21-24 - All the men , women , and children , that were in the world , excepting those in the ark , died . We may easily imagine what terror seized them . Our Saviour tells us , that till the very day that the flood came , they were eating and drinking , Luke strkjv @17:26 ,27 . they were deaf and blind to all Divine warnings . In this posture death surprised them . They were convinced of their folly when it was too late . We may suppose they tried all ways and means possible to save themselves , but all in vain . And those that are not found in Christ , the Ark , are certainly undone , undone for ever . Let us pause , and consider this tremendous judgment ! Who can stand before the Lord when he is angry ? The sin of sinners will be their ruin , first or last , if not repented of . The righteous God knows how to bring ruin upon the world of the ungodly , 2Peter strkjv @2:5 . How tremendous will be the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men ! Happy they who are part of Christ 's family , and safe with him as such ; they may look forward without dismay , and rejoice that they shall triumph , when fire shall burn up the earth , and all that therein is . We are apt to suppose some favourable distinctions in our own case or character ; but if we neglect , refuse , or abuse the salvation of Christ , we shall , notwithstanding such fancied advantages , be destroyed in the common ruin of an unbelieving world . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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