An Exposition of Genesis, Genesis · Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
HEere beginneth the history of the Churches condition in the time of the comming and being of the flood upon the earth, continued to ver. 13. Of the eigth Chapter. In this Chapter these particulars are considerable. 1. Gods command to Noah for entring the Ark. &c. ver. 1. to the end of ver. 4. 2. Noahs obedience to this command. V. 5. to 10. 3. Gods execution of his sentence with the various effects of it. ver. 11. to 24.
1. Gods command for Noahs entrance followeth. ver. 1. And Jehovah said to Noach, enter thou and al thy house into the Ark because thee have I seen just before me in this generation. — And the Lord God said to Noe &c. Sep. — thou and all the men of thy house. Cald.
V. 2. Of every clean beast thou shalt take unto thee seven, seven, the male and his female: and of the beast which is not clean (of it) two, male and his female. — foreign — Sept. and Cald. fame.
V. 3. Also of the fowl of the Heavens seven, male & female, to keep alive seed upon the face of the whole Earth. — to nourish seed upon the whole earth. Sep. — that there may be preserved a seed, &c. Cal.
V. 4. For yet to seven dayes I wil make it to rain upon the earth fourty dayes & fourty nights, & I wil blot out every living body which I have made from the face of the ground. — I will blott out foreign, &c. from man to beast. Sep. — After the time of seven dayes I will make rain come down. &c. Cald.
In all which passage we have these particulars considerable.
1. Gods command concerning Noah and his house. ver. 1.Ver. 1.
2. Gods command touching inferiour creatures. ver. 2.3.
3. Gods reason for such injunction. ver. 4.
To the first, we have in this first command. 1. The authority injoyning the following worke. — And Jehovah said to Noach. (1) The authority is supreme. Jehovah, he that was, and is, and is to come, he that made all things and can destroy them, whose counsel must stand, and his work cannot be resisted. (2) The subject to whom he giveth command is Noach, whom also he injoyned to make the Ark. (3) The way of revelation, He spake, some say God spake by the ministry of Methuselah, who dyed but seven dayes before the flood, but this is a dream: the Apostle interprets this, that he was warned by God himself to make the Ark, and so doubtles he was to enter, as afterward also to come out. 2. The Command it self given to him which concerned himself and his. Go thou and al thy house into the Ark. (1) The subject to whom this comes, principally is Noach and his house even all the men or every one of his family, whome God purposed to save from the deluge, Noach first, his house for his sake. [2] The injunction, Go thou or enter thou, God will's him move to his own salvation, though he doth save him.foreign Now betake thy self and thine aboard to the vessel thou hast made to secure against the waters; the terme of this motion is the Ark appointed to save them, for which God took care that it should be a sufficient means for salvation. 3. The reason of this speciall command to Noach exprest in the following words, — For thee have I seen just before me in this generation. 1. The causall particle sheweth this to be a reason of the foregoing command, the weight whereof is to be duely scanned. 2. The act of God, I have seen, foreignwhich being an expression of his providential act doth note (1) Gods efficiency, or making Noah just, so Gods sight of things puts them in being, he knoweth them to make them. Act. 15.18. [2] Gods observation of his own grace effected. (3) Gods approbation of that which he observeth. 3. The Object, thee Just, that is, with the righteousness of faith, whereof he was heir. Heb. 11.7. This God saw, that is, looking on him, gave him, which also hath annexed inherent righteousness, or the change of the heart into the image of God: This God seeth in Noah and therefore provides for his present salvation, he had justified, and made him righteous, and now he addes further mercy to him in sending him into the Ark. This breaks that objection, which supposeth the power of Noahs own works, as if they should deserve this salvation of God above others. But this cannot be, for Gods seeing puts his very righteousness in being, and so it is an act of grace upon Noah, no desert from him. 4.foreign The proof of this righteousness, before me, that is in Gods judgment and esteem; not such a righteousness, which appeareth to men, but indeed that which stands before Gods face and presence, and is so judged by him who searcheth hearts and trieth reines. 5. The time of the proof of this righteousness, in this generation, what the state of that generation was, is visible. chap. 6. v. 2, 3, 4, &c. It was unexpressibly wicked, Apostate from God, conspiring with hell in the deeps of sin. Now that grace should preserve one soule or two, and keep them so eminently righteous in the time of such eminent wickedness, this is added to the commendation of the righteousness by grace.
From this verse these notes we gather up.
D. 1. The ever-being God gives timely warning to his accepted and obedient ones. On the eleventh day of the second month.
D. 2. Commands for duty Jehovah giveth, that his servants may see the performance of his promise.
D. 3. The use of means must be, as well as having meanes, in order to salvation, enter into the Ark as well as make it. So of Christ.
D. 4. All soules appointed to salvation must repair to their Ark.
D. 5. Providence of grace maketh soules righteous by looking on them. It giveth what it seeth.
D. 6. That grace, which maketh righteous soules, doth accept and save them.
D. 7. That is righteousness indeed which standeth before Gods face.
D. 8. It is eminently good to hold forth the righteousness of grace in the worst times. God seeth and approveth it as the worke of his own hands. Ver. 1.
The second part of Gods command is for the admission of the inferiour creatures into the Ark, where note these particulars. 1.Ver. 2. The work commanded Noah. Thou shalt take unto thee, — That is, as I order them to come,foreign so shalt thou receive them into the Ark under thy care, to see to them and give them their portions; or bring thou them in, as the Sept. set them their places where they shall be. 2. The object of his care what he must receive, shewed, 1. In their kind, 1 Terrestrial Beasts, Ver. 2. Of which (1) Their quality, Clean & unclean, (2) Their number, of clean by sevens, of unclean by couples. (3) Their sexes, male and female. 2. Coelestial creatures even the fowl, Ver. 3. set out (1) By their nature, Fowl of heavens. (2) By number, sevens. (3) By sex also male and female. 3. The end of this command, which carrieth the force of Gods promise to make seed live upon the face of the Earth. — First. The rule is thus of clean beasts. Of every beast clean sevens, sevens, male and his female. In which we may consider these particulars. — 1. The quality of these is cleanness, which is twofold. 1. Natural, so every thing which God made was very clean and good, and no difference until sin came in; which did equally pollute the whole creation; out of which God was pleased to point out, what he would have for sacrifice, which was clean, and what he rejected, which is called unclean.
Quest. How did Noach know this before the Law was given?
Answ. Doubtless God gave the same Law from the entrance of sacrifice, which was made known to his Servants according to the revelation of that time. However all these constitutions were not gathered into one bulk in Scripture, until the time of Moses.
2. The number is seven. that is, as generally conceived, three pair and one odd;foreign why God would have so many pair of clean preserved, is to be answered onelyonly by his will; the reason of the odd number, it was for sacrifice, at Noachs coming forth of the Ark. 3. The sexe was male and female for propagation of the kindes of creatures which God made. Secondly. The rule for the unclean, this, And of the beast which is not clean. of it two, male and female.
Where like wise. 1. The quality is unclean, ceremonially taken. 2. The number two, which must interpret that which was written, Ch. 6.19. Two of all, &c. that is of all the unclean. 3. The sexe, male and female as before, and for a proportionable increase. Thirdly. The rule for the fowl Also of the fowl of the heavens seven, seven male and female.
These were the second sort of creatures,Ver. 3. distinguished by their place, such as flew in the air, and under heaven; of these also note 1. The number, sevens, viz. Of such as were clean, for of the unclean the rule is general, they were but two. 2. Their sexe male and female as before. 3. The end of all this order, To quicken seed upon the face of al the earth.foreign
The performance of this promise is the end of this command of all these entring into the Ark. 1. The good promised, life of every kind. 2. The propagation of this life it was to quicken or keep a live seed. 3. The extent of this, through al the earth, which God was resolved to give again to them to be inhabited.
Thirdly the reason of these commands is the execution now at hand of the fearful deluge spoken of before, 1. Herein, the last time set, enough to get all imbarqued,Ver. 4. For yet to seven dayes, the time determined is revealed, so God graciously warneth his, that ruine fall not on them. 2. The way of executing this vengeance,foreign I make it to rain upon the earth.
He brings down his judgment by rain. Himself alone is the cause of it, I wil make it rain he that maketh the clouds and filleth them. 3. The continuance of time of rain, fourty dayes, and fourty nights. A date long enough for execution to drown all.
4. The effect and I wil blott out every living substance, which I have made from the face of the earth. In which occurre's to our observation.
1. The evil, is extinction by death. 2. Th… universality of the object every living substance — All that riseth, foreign. Sept. living is not in the original, but it notes every thing that standeth up, and this must be among the living, for life alone was destroyed. 3. The aggravation of the fact, from Gods own workmanship, which they defaced, by sin, which I have made. 4. The extent of this judgment from the face of the ground, that is, wheresoever on the ground any flesh liveth; they shall be seen no more upon this earth.
These Notes arise here.
D. 1. It is Gods prerogative onelyonly to judge creatures clean or unclean.
D. 2. The distinction of clean and unclean among creatures is from speciall use, not from nature.
D. 3. From the fall of man God gave the law of clean and unclean, unto a set time. To Christ, and no longer.
D. 4. Clean and unclean creatures have their preservation from the word of God.
D. 5. The certain number of creatures is given by God in the preservation of them.
D. 6. Gods aim is in seven to two, that he would have cleannss out-grow uncleanness.
D. 7. God useth the works of man in his general salvation, as in special. Ver. 2.
D. 8. Beast and fowles of heaven are Gods care: to keep them for man.
D. 9. Natural propagation by sexes is the ordinance of God.
D. 10. God giveth the quickning power to all creatures on the earth. Ver. 3.
D. 11. God warn's in season whom he mean's to save.
D. 12. Gods hand alone mak's creatures instruments of vengeance to sinners.
D. 13. Gods arm is long enough to plague the sinful world.
D. 14. God somtimes pittieth not the work of his own hands.
D. 15. Vniversal extinction by death is Gods just vengeance on universal corruption by sin. V. 4.
The next general head of this Chapter is Noachs obedience to Gods foregoing command. — Ver. 5.Ver. 5. And Noach did according to all which Iehovah commanded him.— Cald. same. — And Noe did all things what ever the Lord commanded him. Sept. — Ver. 6.Ver. 6. And Noach was the Son of six hundred years, and the flood was, waters upon the earth. Cal. same. — The flood of water was upon the earth. Sept. — Vers. 7. And Noach went in and his sonnes, and his wife, and his sonnes wives with him into the Ark, from the face of the waters of the flood. — Because of the water of the flood. — Sept. Cald. as Hebr. — Ver. 8, Of the clean beast, and of the beast which is not clean it self, and of the foul, and all which creepeth upon the ground. — Sept. and Cald. to same. foreign. — Ver. 9. Two, two they entred in unto Noach into the Ark, male and female as Elohim commanded Noach. — Sept. and Cald. same, foreign.
In this narration of Noachs obedience, Note, 1. A general description of it. Ver. 6. 2. A more special discovery of it, in particulars. Ver. 7, 8, 9. In the former, we have to consider, 1. His obedience described. Wherein occurr, 1. His activity recorded, as it is expressed in the words, And Noach did, that is, bestirred himself to what was to be done, and laboured in this time of Gods last warning: notwithstanding all, difficulties that might discourage and make him despond. 2. His rule by which he worketh, According to al which Jehovah commanded him.
In this may we read. 1. The rule it self, the command of Iehovah, who made him, accepted him by grace, and was now careful for his salvation. His word, and none but his, Noach respects, though all the World despise. 2. The universality of it, All that Jehovah commanded him, not a title or jot of Gods command is rejected. 3. The proportion which he keepeth in his work, according to all Gods will so he bestirreth himself and worketh. 4. The reiteration of this again, as Chap. 6.22. Wherein lieth much of the commendation of his faith and obedience. 2. His age is specified, whereof, 1. The number of years, And Noach was a son of six hundred year.
That is, by the Hebrew phrase, it was his 600th year current, as more will appear, Ver. 11. — 2. The calamity attending upon that age, And the flood was, the waters on the earth.
Or the flood of water, came about this time on the earth; which was an amazing calamity enough to turn from all thoughts of duty. A double cause may be of noting this age, 1. For certainty of history and chronology of the world. 2. For a commendation of his obedience so active at this age. Secondly. A more special relation followeth of returns to the command of entrance in the three following verses, wherein we have. 1. The obedience of Noah and his family. And herein 1. Their entrance,Ver. 7. — And there entred, this was an act not free from great difficulties, to bid the world farewel, leave the earth, and former possessions, and betake himself to an untried vessel never known before; meerly because God commanded him. 2. Their order Noach, and his sonnes, — And his wife, and his sonnes wives with him, — A few, but eight persons, and these to be as buried for a time, and shut up as in a floating cell. 3. The place of entrance. — into the Ark, the instrument of salvation, which God ordained, however unexperienced by them and unknown to the world. 4. The motive to it from the face of the waters of the flood, or because of the water of the flood.
It is corruptly glossed by some, that Noach was so pious. because he looked onelyonly to himself, but took no care for the world; for he did every thing after Gods mind, he feared where God would have him fear, and so made the Ark, and so entred when Gods time of judgment was come. Gods word caused him to enter, and moved him (through faith) to fear the waters fore…old, onelyonly as yet not seen. Heb. 11.7.
Ver. 8.2. The obedience of all other creatures. 1. Of clean beasts. — 2. Of unclean. — 3. Of fowl — 4. Of creeping things, in all which the Spirit of God records — These in their kindes.
Ver. 9.2. Their order. Two, two; — That is, so marshalled by couples, and these male and female, — The sexes nominated before. 3. Their entrance, they went in unto Noah into the Ark, — They were not dragged or drawn, but by instinct from God came and offered themselves to Noah, and betook themselves to the places in the Ark, which Noah appoints unto them. Almighty providence must work this. 4. The ground of all this is Gods word onelyonly, so it is written, as Elohim commanded Noach.
Gods word was obeyed by Noah, and therefore it makes all creatures of contrary dispositions to come to Noah, and submit to him, and lye down quietly in the Ark.
These observations arise hence.
D. 1. The obedience of faith is speedy unto God.
D. 2. The obedience of faith keeps propagation in purity and universality to Gods command. Ver. 5.
D. 3. Faith makes old age active in obeying the word of God.
D. 4. Faith is not driven from obedience in the greatest time of trouble.
D. 5. Faith will use meanes commanded by God, though never so difficult.
D. 6. Gods will is the onelyonly cause of faiths obedience, but judgments may move it. Ver. 6.7.
D. 7. The very beasts of most wild dispositions shall keep order and submit at Gods beck.
D. 8. Gods command obeyed by faith makes all creatures come and submit to his Church.
D. 9. Obedience of faith shall never want a due record from God. Ver. 8.9.
The third general containeth an actual execution of the threatned vengeance of God, to the end of this Chapter, and the state of the Church in this time while indignation is powring out upon the world.
These branches are of this head.
1. The fall of the waters, and several wayes of making this flood Ver. 10.11.12.
2. The entrance of Noah repeated. Ver. 13.14.15.16.
3. The effect of these waters on the Church. Ver. 17.18.
4. The sad issue upon the world. Ver. 19.20.21.22.23.24.
To the first of these, that we may weigh it. Ver. 10. And it was at the seaventh of the dayes, and the waters of the flood were upon the earth. — After seven dayes, &c. Sept. — After the time of seven dayes. Cald. — Ver. 11. In the year, in the six hundreth year of the life of Noah, in the second monethmonth, in the seventeenth day of the monethmonth, in this day, all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windowes of the heavens were opened. — And in the 600th year in the life of Noe, of the second monethmonth, the 27th day of the month, &c. Sept. and Cald. — Ver. 12. And there was rain upon the earth fourty dayes and fourty nights. — Sept. same. — Rain descended. Cald. In these is related the time of the waters fall for the deluge, and the inundations from the abysse below, which is two wayes described, first, generally, the instant of the floods beginning is here reported, where we have.Ver. 10.
.1 The time stated, And it was at the seventh of the dayes. — Which is clearly translated by the septuagint, after seven dayes viz those seven dayes compleat mentioned Ver. 4. given to Noah and the rest for entrance into the Ark; when those seven dayes were expired, then came the execution for the beginning of it. 2. The evil executed The waters of the flood were upon the earth.
That is, those fatal waters which swallowed up all living began to come upon the earth; so soon as Noah with all his charge was entred into Ark. Secondly, more specially the time of this judgment with the materials of it are described. Ver. 11.Ver. 11.12.
First. The time of the floods beginning, In the six hundreth year of Noachs life, in the second month, in the seventeenth day of the month, in that very day. In these is punctually related the time of the floods beginning. 1. The year, even the six hundreth of Noachs life, that is, current, which agrees with the right account of years from the creation 1656, which year dyed Methuschalach before the flood. 2. The month, in the second month. viz. the second of Noahs six hundreth year, and of the year of the world, 1656. But what second month this should be, whether that which was so in the sacred account, wherein the year began in the spring, which was the month Zif; or of the civil year, which began neer autumn called Marchesvan it is controverted among some; not to weigh reasons, which are but at best probable, I conceive the number according to the sacred account, doth best sute with Moses his account; that this should begin about the vernal equinoctial, in the month Zif, which as is computed, answer's to part of our March and April. 3. The day, the seventeenth day of that month, even that day, when the time of warning for 120 year was fully expired, even that day, determined before brought forth the execution of this vengeance.
2. The matter of this judgment discoverd, that was water, described by the principles. 1. Al the fountains of the great deep were broken up, — It is an high expression, that the very springs of the earth, which were confined by Gods word, and the bowells of the ocean restrained, should now by his word receive commission to swel and overtop their banks. and swallow up sinners. These were waters from beneath. 2. And the windowes of heaven were opened,
This is a rhetorical expr…ssion also; windowes of heaven, used, 2 Kin. 7. Psa. 78.23. Isai. 24.18. Mal, 3.10. They note those flood gates as it were, or, the partitions which the arm of God set, for keeping the rain in the clouds from overwhelming; all there were opened, and God gives command to the clouds fully to empty themselves, these heavens here meant must be the expanse under the moon.
Ver. 12.Thirdly. The time of the falling and swelling of these waters for continuance, there was rain upon the earth, fourty dayes, and fourty nights. That is, it continued raining all that time for fourty nights and dayes, as God foretold, Ver. 4. Wherein we may note, 1. There was meanes enough of vengeance, water enough from above and from beneath to devoure sinners. 2. Time enough to overflow houses, trees, mountaines, that whither soever they should flye, yet they should not escape destruction.
These observations result hence.
D. 1. Times of forbearance and vengeance, are surely stated by God. Seven dayes and no more.
D. 2. Gods time of patience being expired vengeance will come. So did the flood. Ver. 10.
D. 3. Year and month and day hath God set punctually for fulfilling his word.
D. 4. It is the spirits purpose, that the Church should keep a true Chronology of Gods works. Ver. 12.
D. 5. Admirable is Gods providence in keeping soules alive between waters above and beneath.
D. 6. It's Gods word alone to break, and bind the fountaines of the great deep, to shut and open the windowes of heaven.
D. 7. At Gods word heaven and the deep are both ready to destroy sinners.
D. 8. God weigh's his judgments by time and measure sufficiently to destroy his enimies. Ver. 12.
The second particular expressed in the history of Gods execution, is a repetition of Noahs entrance into the Ark, and all that God had a purpose to save from the flood, in the verses following.
Ver. 13. In the body of that day, or in that very day Noah entred and Shem, and Cham and Jepeth the sonnes of Noach, and the wise of Noah and the three wives of his sonnes with them into the Ark. — Sept. Same. — In the point of this day, &c. Cald.
Ver. 14. They, and every wild beast in it's kind, and every labouring beast in its kind, and every creeping thing creeping on the earth in its kind, and every fowle in its kind, every bird of every wing. — Cald. to same. — Every flying bird in its kind, and every creeping thing moving on the earth, &c. Septuagint.
Ver. 15. And they went in unto Noach into the Ark, two, two, of all flesh, which hath in it the spirit of life. — Sept. and Cald. to same.
Ver. 16. And the goers in being male and female of al flesh, entred in as Elohim commanded him and Jehovah shut it for him. — And the Lord God shut this Ark without. Sept. — And God put a guard upon him. Cald. It is not in vain that the Spirit inculcats so often the entrance of Noah into the Ark, & the comming of the flood; wicked ones will scarce believe such judgments, and Gods own are backward to believe mercies acted to others and promised to themselves. In this passage, 1. The time of entrance is againe punctually noted. In that very day, or, in the body or strength of that day. Ver. 13.— It notes as some conceive,foreign the very day and time of the day, it was the 17th day of the second month in the 600th year of Noahs life, in that very day; the word, that is as the pronoun, demonstrative, notes also strength, that it may be read in the strength of that day, which was about noon. In the very point of the day spoken of, Noah was guided into the Ark. 2. The creature entring again repeated. 1. Superiour, Noah and his family, eight persons. Ver. 13. All more distinctly mentioned, four men and their wives.Ver. 14. 2. Inferiour, 1. Their kindes. (1) Wild beasts of every kind. (2) Labouring beasts of every kind. (3) Creeping things of every kind. (4) Fowl of every wing and kind: not a kind of living creature which God created on the earth was excluded; for out of these God resolved to fill the earth again. 2. Their motion, they freely went in by Gods instinct, without dragging or compelling.Ver. 15. 3. Their submission they went to Noah to observe his beck and be placed by him. 4. Their order, two and two that is of all sorts clean and unclean thus were they marshalled, two and two. For otherwise in number seaven of the clean came in. 5. Their specification.Ver. 16. All flesh wherein was the spirit of life. That is such a life that water could destroy. 6. Their sexes, they went in male and female; God having a purpose by these to propagate the creature. 7. The cause and rule of all this, Gods command or word given to Noah; that gave effect to all, and a rule to walk by. 3. An act of grace from Jehovah after entrance in, And Jehovah shut upon him, viz. The door of the Ark. — Or he shut his Ark on the outside, or the Ark on the outside of him, and all with him, as the Sep. may be read.foreign Or, and God protected over him, as the Cald. 1. An act of providence, he shut or made fast against the penetration of waters. 2. The object implied, which doubtless was the door of the Ark, of no less bigness than that an elephant might go in by it. 3. The the vessell and now thorough grace makes end of providence, it was upon Noah, or for him, and those with him, which they could never have done to secure themselves, but God onelyonly, who taught him to make the vessell and now thorough grace makes it effectuall to the end intended.
The Notes hence are these.
D. 1. Mens hearts are backward to believe Gods acts of grace and vengeance. This from the repetition of the time, &c.
D. 2. The Spirit strive's much to bring soules to believe the wonders of God. Therefore he so often inculcates them.
D. 3. God keeps the point of time with his gracious ones to bring them to their safety.
D. 4. Polygamie was not in the church saved from the waters
D. 5. Some of all kindes of creatures hath Gods goodness saved in the common deluge. V. 14.
D. 6. The breath of life is in Gods hand to give and take. Compare Chap. 6.17. with Chap.. 7.15. V. 15.
D. 7. Gods Word or command effects and regulates the salvation of man and beast.
D. 8. Gods gracious protection must be with his means of salvation upon his saints to make them effectual. V. 16.
The third particular in this execution, is the effect which the waters had upon the Ark and the Church in it, set down in the two following verses.
Ver. 17. And the flood was forty dayes upon the earth and the waters multiplied themselves and lifted up the Ark, and it was lifted up above the earth. — Cald same — Forty dayes and forty nights &c. Sep.
Ver. 18. And the waters grew strong and multiplied themselves very much upon the earth and the Ark walked upon the face of the waters. — The ark was carried &c. Sep. foreign. — So the Cald. also. In this passage we have related in order to the effect of the waters on the Ark, these particulars. 1. The time of the floods growing to its heighth upon the earth, And the flood was forty dayes upon the earth.
Which must be understood. 1. Of the cause of the flood, the rain & waters from the fountaines of the deep. 2. Of their falling and increase, not of their continuance. 3. Forty dayes must be meant of naturall ones taking in the nights, as threatned Chap. 7.4. So the Sep. expresseth; so long was the flood growing.
2. The increase of the waters it self once again repeated as to this effect, and again spoken of afterward with respect unto the world. (1) Ver. 17. And the waters multiplied themselves. foreign— Or the waters grew great, this is but the first degree expressed, to the lifting up of that great vessel; for this they must be v…ry many. (2) Ver. 18.Ver. 18. And the waters were strong and multiplied themselves vehemently on earth.
Where note, a further degree of increase of waters to move and toss the Ark. 1. It is set out by a term of strength,foreign the waters grew strong or mighty, that is, by the waves to move and carry and toss the Ark. 2. By a term of multitude; they multiplied also upon the earth, and that far more than formerly, when they lifted up the Ark, their heaps or height will more clearly be spoken of hereafter. 3. The effect of all this flood so strengthned and so multiplied, with respect unto the Church, which is twofold in expression, 1. Elevation from the earth,Ver. 17. And lifted up the Ark, and it was lifted up above the earth.
Here is the distinction which grace makes, the same waters which cover and drown every thing els, keep's the Ark and the Church in it above: it throwes down houses, and palaces and high places, but lifts up the Ark above it self. 2.Ver. 18. Motion of the Ark being lifted up, And the Ark walked upon the face of the waters.
foreignIt was carried or moved, as the Sept. and Cald. 1. The subject of motion, The Ark, wherein the Church was. 2. The motion, they ware carried above death though perhaps tossed with the waves; others were laid dead in the waters, but all these live and float above death. 3. The instrument of this motion the face of the waters; such as were instruments of death to the world. This the Apostle spiritualizeth to be the Churches Baptism; when he saith. A few even eight soules were saved in the Ark by water. A like figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us, &c. Here was burying in the waters for a time, signifying burial wirh Christ; and here is rising again out of the waters, signifying resurrection with Christ: So much as the Apostle attributes to Baptism, is attributed to the spiritual use of these waters of the flood towards his Church. 1. Pet. 3. v. 20.21. Col. 2.12.
Take now some Notes.
D. 1. Every word of vengeance must exactly be fulfilled which God hath spoken. Fourty dayes foretold.
D. 2. Gods judgments are gradual on the wicked. Step by step, day by day; until it be full.
D. 3. Multiplication and strength must be with the creature to do Gods purpose.
D. 4. Multitude and strength of waters are at Gods word, and for Gods word, measured.
D. 5. Waters of death to some, are made waters of life to others by the word of God.
D. 6. The waters lifting up, and moving the Ark, were the like figure with Baptism to the Church.
D. 7. Common salvation by water to the Ark implieth and signifieth special to the Church.
D. 8. The most unlikely meanes God alone turneth unto salvation. Ver. 17.18.
The fourth and last particular in Gods execution is the sad and dismal issue which these waters bring upon the world, which is described in the following Verses.
Ver. 19. And the waters grew strong, vehemently vehemently upon the earth, & there were covered al the high mountaines which were under all the heavens. — Cald. same. — And it covered all the high mountaines, &c. Sept.
Ver. 20. Fiftien cubits from on high the waters prevailed, and the hils were covered. — Was the water heigthned. &c. Sep. — Fiftien cubits in height the waters, &c. Cald.
Ver. 21. And al flesh creeping upon the earth expired, among the fowl, and among the labouring beast, and among the wild beasts, and among every creeping thing which creepeth upon the earth, and al Adam. — All flesh moving upon the earth, of fowles, &c. and every man. Sept. — Cald. same with Hebr.
Ver. 22. Al who had the breath of the spirit of life in its nostrills, of al that is on the dry ground, they died. — Sept. and Cald. same.
Ver. 23. And he blotted out every living substance, which was upon the face of the ground, from Adam even to the beast, to the creeping thing, and to the fowl of the heavens, and they were blotted out from the earth; and Noah onelyonly remained, and those who were with him in the Ark. — Cald. same. — Every thing that stood up. foreign Septuagint.
Ver. 24. And the waters grew strong upon the earth fifty and an hundred dayes. — The water was heigthned &c. Sep. — Prevailed upon the earth. Cald. In this sad passage are fully related,
1. The measure of the waters increase. Ver. 19.20.
2. The destructive issue upon the world. Ver. 21.22.23.
3. The reservation of Noah. Ver. 23.
4. The time. Ver. 24.
In the first, these particulars are obvious to us. 1. A generall proposition of the increase of the waters of the flood, And the waters grew mighty or prevailed, Ver. 19.vehemently vehemently on the earth.
This had bin enough to have set forth the greatness of the inundation. 1. The waters were, mighty, many, prevailed. 2. Vehemently, vehemently, twice, as if it were not to be uttered how much they were increased on earth. 2. A further description of their swelling to the tops of all mountaines. And there were covered al the high mountaines which were under al the heavens.
Where note. 1. Hills which were above plaines, such were then before the flood. 2. The high hills emphatically, such as were known eminent for height; over all. 3. All of them which were under all the heavens, not onelyonly under the middle region but suppose any were higher, all under the moon are here intended. 4 These were covered with waters, none did or could appear, for the flood.
Thirdly a more special note of the measure of increase,Ver. 20. Fifteen cubits from on high the waters prevailed and the hills were covered.
foreignThat is, two hundred twenty and a half foot as some guess, so the waters did overturne the earth, as Job speaketh. Job. 12.15. In the second particular we may observe these things. 1. A generall proposition of the fatal issue of these waters on the world: And all flesh creeping upon the earth expired.
Ver. 21.(1) The subject of this ruine set out, 1. In nature flesh, that is living flesh as after — 2. In universality, all such flesh. 3. In motion, all that crept or moved from place to place on the earth. (2) The attribute,foreign they expired and gave up the ghost in these waters. 2. A particular enumeration of the kinds of flesh which perished in these waters. 1. All fowl. 2. All tame beasts. 3. All wild beasts. 4. All creeping thing. 5. All man.
Here is a full slaughter; it is questioned whether man was the last that perished, because in order named last: but it matter's not; it may be likely the birds were last, and yet-men might use their inventions to outlive them. 3. A specification of these creatures.Ver. 22. 1. By kind of life. All that had the breath of the spirit of life in its nostrils, that is, such as were perishable by water, for some spirit water cannot drown; these then must be such as had naturall spirits of life to breath. 2. By their place, of all which was in the dry land. — That is, all whose being was given them on the solid earth.foreign 3. The issue of these, they died, they expired. Their breath was taken from them & they perished; yea not onelyonly things actually alive, but potentially, as eggs and seed, and all by which life might be propagated. Job. 22.16. 4.Ver. 23. An assertion of the Author of this destruction. Wherein. 1. The Author with his act, and he blotted out, — That is, Jehovah himself brought this destruction as he threatned, ver. 4. of this Chap. It is an act of despight, contempt and abhorring; so he destroyeth them. 2. The object again expressed, in its nature and place, every living substance, which was upon the face of the earth.
If the former description were not enough, here the spirit repeats it again in others terms: Every substance which was perishable by water even all was blotted out by God. Repetitions thus press to faith. 3. The e…tent again mentioned, from Adam to the beast, to the creeping thing, and to the fowl of heavens.
Thus the Spirit of God multiplieth words to imprint the faith of this execution on us. 4. The certainty of the effect, And they were blotted out from the earth. — That is God ceased not the powring out of his displeasure, until he had made a full end of all determined to destructions.Ver. 23.
In the third, we read again Gods grace upon Noah, And there remained onelyonly Noah, and they who were with him in the Ark. In which are recorded these particulars, — 1. An act of grace in this powring out of wrath, yet God make's a reserve; that is, he exempts from this common desolation and keeps in life and safety. 2. The subject of this grace Noah and all with him, the eight persons mentioned. 3. The instrument of this reserve, the Ark again mentioned, as a pledg of Gods love. In the fourth and last,Ver. 24. we have the waters increase. And the waters prevailed over the earth 150 dayes.
Here is not determined the time of the waters abode upon the earth,foreign that was a great deal longer, but the time of their prevailing and growing to the height. Where the number of these dayes should begin is not hard to determine; for the rain began in the seventeenth day of the second month, and their fall and continuance in their height before any abatement was, must be 150 dayes from thence, which was to the seventeenth day of the seventh month; after this the decrease of waters began.
From all these particulars these instructions may be gathered.
D. 1. The prevailing of creature instruments for destruction is unexpressible, when God gives them commission to grow great. V. 19.
D. 2. The bounds of nature cannot keep water from destroying, when God makes it to overflow. V. 20.
D. 3. All hopes of help doth God take from the wicked, when he pleads in vengeance.
D. 4. Not a word of God falleth to the ground concerning those whom he appoints to ruine.
D. 5. No kind of life can be exempt from death, when wickedness giveth up to vengeance.
D. 6. Sin will undoe all sinners, with their hopes and helps adjoyning
D. 7. Expiration, death, extinction with contempt and hatred is the wickeds portion.
D. 8. It is the extremity of vengeance that God himself blotteth out the wicked.
D. 9. Vnavoidable is the sinners destruction from the Lord; it is trebled and more.
D. 10. Gods spirit useth many words to perswade men of the unavoidable vengeance on the wicked. Ver. 21.22.
D. 11. God reserve's and saves his own remnant from destruction by his own means, and they shall be saved. Ver. 23.
D. 12. The times of increasing and perfecting vengeance are determined by God. He measures waters, and numbers dayes. Job. 28.25. Ver. 24.