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Commentary on Genesis 7 verses 1–4
Here is, I. A gracious invitation of Noah and his family into a place of safety, now that the flood of waters was coming, Gen 7:1.
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: Come thou, and all thy house, that small family that thou hast, into the ark. 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 go into the ark, but come 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 in 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."
2.The reason for this invitation is a very honourable testimony to Noah's integrity: For thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. 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: Thee have I seen. 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. The Lord knows those that are his. (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.
II. Here are necessary orders given concerning the brute-creatures that were to be preserved alive with Noah in the ark, Gen 7:2, Gen 7:3. They were not capable of receiving the warning and directions themselves, as man was, who herein is taught more than the beasts of the earth, and made wiser than the fowls of heaven - 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, 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. Doth God take care for oxen? Co1 9:9. 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, Gen 8:20. 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.
III. Here is notice given of the now imminent approach of the flood: Yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain, Gen 8:4. 1. "It shall be seven days yet, 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 but 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.
Now let us consider by what means Noah commanded the clean animals to enter the ark, seven and seven, male and female (Gen. VII, 2): but of the unclean animals, two and two, so that the seed may be nourished in all the earth. And as I think, he asserts that the clean week begins; because the world and the sacred seventh number are clean. For it is not mixed with any other, nor is it generated from another. Therefore it is called virgin, because it does not generate anything from itself; and rightly it is without maternal and immune birth, and although it may be called by a feminine name, it has the grace of masculine sanctification... But the second number is not complete, because it is divided. And that which is not complete is considered empty. But the seventh number is complete, because it is a week, like ten; and it is similar to the first, because it is made in the likeness of the One who is eternal, from whom all virtues flow and all things in every kind are moved.
However, a higher understanding leads us to think that the strength of the mind is in the soul, and the soul is in the body, just as the head of the household is in his own home. For what the mind is in the soul, that is the soul in the body. If the mind is safe, the house is safe, the soul is safe; if the soul is unharmed, the flesh is unharmed. For the sober mind controls all passions, governs the senses, and regulates speech. Therefore, the Lord rightly says: 'Enter within yourself,' that is, enter into your own mind, into the ruler of your soul; there is salvation, there is guidance; outside is the flood, outside is danger. But if you are virtuous within, you are also safe outside; for where the mind is its own master, there are good thoughts, good actions. For if no vice clouds the mind, there are sincere thoughts.
Noah did therefore all that God commanded him, and the Lord said to him: Enter you and all your household into the ark, etc. Noah did all that God commanded, that is, he built the ark, and, with chambers arranged, he brought provisions into it for all living creatures.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 7:1 records the pivotal divine command for Noah and his entire household to enter the ark, signaling the imminent commencement of God's cataclysmic judgment upon a world steeped in corruption. This verse powerfully underscores God's sovereign initiative in salvation, His profound discernment of Noah's unique righteousness in a depraved age, and His gracious provision of refuge for those found faithful amidst widespread wickedness, thereby preserving a remnant for the continuation of His redemptive purposes.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 7:1 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is Divine Speech, where God directly addresses Noah, emphasizing His active role, sovereignty, and the personal nature of His relationship with His chosen servant. This direct address lends immense authority and urgency to the command. There is also a strong element of Contrast evident in the verse: Noah's singular righteousness stands in stark opposition to the universal wickedness of "this generation," highlighting his unique status and God's selective grace. Furthermore, the verse functions as Foreshadowing and Typology, as the ark, God's provision for salvation from judgment, serves as a type for future divine interventions and ultimately for the ultimate salvation found in Christ. The concept of a righteous remnant being preserved amidst widespread destruction also sets a pattern for later biblical narratives.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 7:1 is a profound theological statement on God's character and His interaction with humanity. It reveals a God who is both just in His judgment of sin and merciful in His provision of salvation. Noah's righteousness, divinely recognized and affirmed, underscores that God sees and responds to human faithfulness, even amidst widespread apostasy. This is not a righteousness earned by perfect performance, but a genuine uprightness and obedience born of faith, a concept foundational to biblical theology. The preservation of Noah's family through the ark also establishes a critical precedent for God's covenantal faithfulness, demonstrating His commitment to His redemptive plan through a chosen lineage, ensuring the continuation of humanity and the eventual fulfillment of His promises. The narrative powerfully illustrates that salvation is ultimately God's initiative, a gracious act extended to those who, like Noah, walk in faith and obedience.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 7:1 serves as both a solemn warning and a comforting assurance for believers today. Noah's example challenges us to cultivate a genuine, God-honoring righteousness that stands in stark contrast to the prevailing moral currents of our own "generation." In a world that often disregards divine standards, we are called to live distinctly, marked by integrity, obedience, and an unwavering faith in God's word. Just as Noah responded promptly and obediently to God's call to enter the ark, we are likewise called to trust in God's appointed means of salvation and diligently follow His commands. This verse reassures us that God sees, knows, and acknowledges those who earnestly seek to please Him, offering refuge and preservation in the midst of a world facing ultimate judgment. It invites us to consider our own standing "before Him" and to respond with faithful obedience to His gracious invitations.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean that Noah was "righteous before me in this generation"?
Answer: It signifies that Noah lived in a right relationship with God, characterized by moral integrity, obedience, and faith, in stark contrast to the pervasive wickedness and violence of his contemporaries. His life aligned with God's standards and was pleasing in God's sight, making him uniquely distinct in that particular era. This was a divinely recognized uprightness, not merely a human assessment.
Was Noah's righteousness perfect or sinless?
Answer: No, Noah was not sinless in an absolute sense, as all humanity is fallen and prone to sin (Romans 3:23). His righteousness was a relative uprightness and faithfulness in comparison to his generation, a genuine commitment to God that God Himself recognized and honored. It was a righteousness of faith, as later affirmed in Hebrews 11:7, rather than a righteousness based on perfect performance.
Why did God save Noah's entire household?
Answer: God saved Noah's entire household as an act of His grace and covenant faithfulness. While Noah was singled out for his personal righteousness, God's provision extended to his family, demonstrating the principle that the faith and obedience of a household head can bring blessing and protection to the entire family unit. This also ensured the continuation of humanity through a righteous lineage, fulfilling God's broader redemptive plan for creation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 7:1, with its divine call to "come... into the ark" for salvation from impending judgment, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate refuge and salvation provided in Jesus Christ. Just as the ark was God's divinely appointed and sole means of preservation from the flood, Christ is God's divinely appointed and sole means of salvation from the judgment of sin and eternal death (Acts 4:12). Noah's righteousness, which made him a recipient of grace and a vessel of salvation for his family, points to the perfect, imputed righteousness of Christ, which is freely given to all who believe (2 Corinthians 5:21). The gracious invitation to "come" into the ark parallels the Gospel's universal invitation to "come" to Christ for eternal life, finding shelter, forgiveness, and new life in Him who is the true Ark of salvation for all generations (Matthew 11:28). In Christ, the promise of preservation from judgment is perfectly fulfilled, not through a temporary vessel, but through an eternal relationship with the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).