Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
Asaunging of the Waters. GENESIS VIII, IX. Departure from the A. k, man. But what was the iisp of the seventli? It was iiianifostly reserveil for sacrifice; and so that both Juriug Noah's residence in the ark, and after his return to dry land, provision was made lor celebrating the rites of worship according to the religion of fallen man. He did not, like many, leave religion behind. He provided for it ilnring his protracted voyage. 4. For yet seven rtnys— A week for a world to rep(^nt! What a solemn pause! of their return being nearly twice as long a.s that of their ri.se. 6. at the end of forty days—It is easy to imagine the ardent longing Noah and his family must have felt to enjoy again the sight of land as well as breathe the fi'i-sh air; and it was perfectly consistent with faith and patience to make inquiries, wheiher the earth was yet ready. 7. And he sent forth a raven—The smell of carrion would allure it to remain if the earth were in a habitable state. But it kept hovering about the spot, and, being a solitary bird, probably perched on the covering. 8-11. Also he sent forth a dove—A bird flying low and naturally disposed to return to the place of her abode 10. again lie sent forth a dove—Her flight, judging by the time she was abroad, was pursued to a greafdistance, and the newly-plucked olive leaf, she no doubt, by supernatural impulse, brought in her bill, aflbrded a \velcome proof that the declivities of the hills were clear. 12. he
J)id tliey laugh and ridicule liis folly still? He whose eyes saw, and whose heart felt the full amount of human inicjuity and perversencss, lias told us'of their reckless disi'egard (Luke 17. 27). 9. There went In two and two —Doubtless they were led l)y a Divine impulse. The number would not be so large as at first sight one is apt to imagine. It has been calculated that there are not more tlian three hundred distinct species of beasts and birds, tlie immense varieties in regard to form, size, and colour, being traceable to the influence of climate and other circumstances. 16. and the Lord shnt ]kim in lit., "covered hhn round about." The " shutting him in " intimated. . . sent forth the dove s which returned not . . . any more—In these results, we perceive a wisdom and prudence far superior to the inspiration of instinet^—we discern the agency of God guiding all the movements of this bird for the instruction of Noah, and reviving the hopes of his household, olher seven days—a strong presumptive proof that Noah observed the Sabbath during his residence in the ark. 13, 14. Noah removed the covering of the arlt—probably only as much of it as would afford him a prospect of the earth around. Yet for about two months he never stirred from his appointed abode tliat he had become the special object of Divine care and protection, and that to those without the season of grace was over (Matthow 25. 10). 17. the waters Increased, and hare up tlic arlc—It seems to have been raised so gradually as, perhaps, to be scarcely perceptible to tlie inmates. 20. Fifteen dibits upward . . . and tlie iiionntaiiis were covered—twenty-two and a-half feet above the summits of the highest hills. The language is not contill he had received the express permission of Goil. We should watch the leading of Providence to direct us in every step of the journey of life. sistent with the theory of a partial deluge. 21. all flesh died . . . fowl . . . cattle, and . . . creeping thing—It has been a uniform principle in the Divine procedure, when judgments were abroad on the earth, to include every thing connected with the sinful objects of His wrath (ch. 19. 25; Exodus 9. 6). Besides, now that the human race were reduced to one single family, it was necessary that the beasts should be proportionally diminished, otherwise by their numbers they would have acquired the ascendancy, and overmastered the few that were to re-people the world. Tluis goodness was mingled lo-2'2. Departukb from the Ark. 15, 16. And God spake . . . Go fortli—They went forth in the most orderly manner—the human inmates first—then each species "after their kinds," according to their families, implying that there had been an increase in the ark. 20. Noah builded an altar—W., "a high place"—probably a mound of earth, on which a sacrifice was ottered. There is something exceedingly beautiful and interesting to know that the first care of this devout patriarch was to return thanks for the signal instance of mercy and goodness which he and his family had experienced, took of every clean beast, and . . . fowl—For so unparalleled a deliverance, a special acknowledgment was due. 21. The Liord smelled a sweet savour—The sacrifice ofl'ered by a righteous man like Noah in faith, was acceptable as the most fragrant incense. Lord said in his heart—same as "I have sworn that tJie waters of Noah should no more go over the earth" (Isaiah 54.9). "for," i.e., "tliough the imagination is evil;" instead of Inflicting another destrnctive flood, I shall spare them—to enjoy the blessings of grace, through a Saviour. a'-3. Wlille the earth remalneth—The consummation as intimated in '2 Peter witli severity; the Lord exercises judgment in wisdom, and in wrath remembers mercy. 24:. an hundred and fifty days—a period of five months. Though long before that every living creature must have been drowned, such a lengthened continuance of tlie flood was designed to manifest God's stern displeasure at sin and sinners.
Tliink of Noah during such a crisis. We learn (Kzekicl U. H) that he was a man who lived and breatheil habitually in an atmosphere of devotion; and having in tlie exercise of this high-toned faith made God his refuge, he did not fear "though the waters roared and were troubled hough the mountains shook with the swelling thereof."
CHAPTER VIII.
3. 7, does not frustrate a promise which held goo<l only during tlie contixiuance of that system. There will be no flood between this and that day, when the earth therein shall be burnt up. [Chalmers.]
V('r.l-14, Assuaging OF THE Waters. 1. God rcmemliered Noah—The Divine purpose In this awful dispensation liad been accomplished, and the world had un<li'rgono those clianges necessary to fit it for becoming tlie residence
CHAPTER IX. of man under a new economy of providence, every living thing ... in the arU—A beautiful illustration of Mattlicw 10. '2fl. and God made a wind to pans over the enrlli—Though the Divine will could have dried up the Ver. 1-7. Covenant. 1. And God blessed Noah— Here
Is republished the law of nature that was aiinoun(^ed to Adam, consisting as It originally did o' several parts. lifjuid mass In an Instant—the agency of a wind was employed (Psalm 101. 4)—prol)al>ly a ?iot wind, which, by Ite fruitful, Ac.—The first part relates to the transmission of life, the original blessing being re-nnnounced In the very same words In which it had been promi.st'd at first. 2. And the fear of you and the dread of you—the second re-establishes man's dominion over the inferior animals; It was now founded not as at first in love and kindness, but In terror; this dread of man prevails among rapl<l evaporathm, would again absorb one portion of the waters into the atmosphere; and by which, the other
be gradually drained oflT by outlets beneath.
4. seventh month—of the year—not of the flood—which histed only five months, rested-evidently indicating a calm and gentle motion, upon tlie mountains of Ararat—or Armenia, as the word is rendered (2 Kings 19. all the stronger as well as the weaker memliers of Iho animal tribes, and keeps away from his haunt.t nil Imt those employed In his service. 3. Kvcry moving thing that llvetli shall be meat for you—the third part concerns the means of «i(4'^(7uim,f/ life; man was for the first time, it would seem, allmrfii the usi of animal food, Tut the grant was accompanied wllli oiurcstrlcllon. 'I. Hut flesh . . . the blood . . . shall ye not eat—The solo lu< ri7; Isaiati 37. IIS). The mountain which tradition points to' as. tlie one on which the ark rested. Is now called Ara Dagh—the flnger mountain. Its summit consists of two p,.,il;s—the higher of which Is 17,7.50 f(!et, and the other
):i,r20 above the l(!V(d of the sea. 5. Anil the waters deci enseil continually—The decrease of the waters was for wise reasons exceedingly slow and gradual—the period
THE UANKS OF TllK JOUJUAN.