Genesis 7:1-9 - Homiletics

The ark entered.

I. THE INVITATION OF JEHOVAH . "Come thou and all thy house into the ark." This invitation was—

1. Timely . It was given on the finishing of the ark, and therefore not too soon; also seven days before the Flood, and therefore not too late. God's interventions in his people's behalf are always opportune: witness me exodus from Egypt, the deliverance at the Red Sea, the destruction of Sennacherib's army; Christ's walking on the sea, sleeping in the boat, rising from the dead.

2. Special . It was addressed in particular to Noah "Come thou." "The Lord knoweth them that are his." "The Good Shepherd calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out." So is the invitation of the gospel of the same personal and individual description ( Matthew 13:9 ; Revelation 3:6 ). Men are not summoned, to believe in masses, but as individuals.

3. Comprehensive . "And all thy house." Whether Shem, Ham, and Japheth were at this time believers is not known. The noticeable circumstance is that the invitation was not addressed immediately to them, but mediately through their father. If Noah stood alone in his piety, their summons to enter the ark reminds us of the advantage of belonging to a pious family, and being even only externally connected with the Church (cf. Luke 19:9 ; Acts 16:32 ).

4. Gracious. Given to Noah certainly, in one sense, because of his piety, ( Genesis 7:1 ). But since his godliness was the fruit of faith, and his faith nothing more than a resting on the Divine covenant or promise, it was thus purely of grace So is God's invitation in the gospel all of grace ( Galatians 1:6 ; Ephesians 3:8 ).

5. Urgent . Only seven days, and the Flood would begin. There was clearly not much time to lose. Only a seventh of the time given to the men of Nineveh ( Jonah 3:4 ). But not even seven days are promised in the gospel call ( Matthew 24:36 ; Romans 13:12 ; Philippians 4:5 ; James 5:9 ).

II. THE OBEDIENCE OF NOAH . "And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him." This obedience was—

1. Immediate . It does not appear that Noah trifled with the Divine summons, or in any way interposed delay; and neither should sinful men with the invitation of the gospel ( 2 Corinthians 6:2 ; Hebrews 3:7 ).

2. Believing . It had its inspiration in a simple credence of the Divine word that safety could be secured only within the ark; and not until the soul is prepared to accord a hearty trust to the statement that Christ is the heaven-provided ark of salvation for a lost world does it yield to the gospel call, and enter into the safe shelter of his Church by believing on his name ( Ephesians 1:13 ).

3. Personal . Noah himself entered in. Had he not done so, not only would his own salvation have been missed, but his efforts to induce others to seek the shelter of the ark would have been fruitless. So the first duty of a herald of the gospel or minister of salvation is to make his own calling and election sure, after which his labors in behalf of others are more likely to be efficacious ( 1 Corinthians 9:27 ; 1 Timothy 4:16 ).

4. Influential . The entire household of the patriarch followed his example. It is doubtful if at this time any of them were possessors of his faith. Yet all of them complied with the heavenly invitation, probably impelled thereto by the example and exhortation of their parent. When the head of a household becomes a Christian he in effect brings salvation to the house. He brings all its inmates into at least a nominal connection with the Church, encircles them with an atmosphere of religion emanating from his own character and conduct, and frequently through Divine grace is honored to be the instrument of their salvation ( Luke 19:9 ; Acts 11:14 ; Acts 16:31 ).

5. Minute . Noah's entry into the ark in all particulars corresponded with the Divine invitation. The animals went in two and two, as God commanded. Men are not expected or allowed to deviate from the plain prescriptions of the word of God concerning the way of faith and salvation ( Acts 10:33 ).

Learn—

1. The unwearied diligence of God in saving men.

2. The personal nature of God's dealings with men.

3. The extreme solicitude with which he watches over them, who are his.

4. The indispensable necessity of obedience in order to salvation.