Genesis 7

Genesis 7:1

The Ark

Just like with Enoch there is salvation from the judgment for Noah, but in an other way than with Enoch. God not only makes Noah familiar with judgment, but also with salvation. He does not leave it to Noah to think of a way in which he can bring himself to safety. That is still the case today. There is only one Name given under heaven by which men must be saved (Acts 4:12) and that is “the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene” (Acts 4:10).

God, as He does later with the tabernacle, gives a precise description of the ark to be built. The ark is a picture of the Lord Jesus. The wood of the ark speaks of His Manhood. The Man Christ Jesus is the “mediator … between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5). The word “pitch” is the same word used for “reconciliation”.

Genesis 7:2

The Ark

Just like with Enoch there is salvation from the judgment for Noah, but in an other way than with Enoch. God not only makes Noah familiar with judgment, but also with salvation. He does not leave it to Noah to think of a way in which he can bring himself to safety. That is still the case today. There is only one Name given under heaven by which men must be saved (Acts 4:12) and that is “the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene” (Acts 4:10).

God, as He does later with the tabernacle, gives a precise description of the ark to be built. The ark is a picture of the Lord Jesus. The wood of the ark speaks of His Manhood. The Man Christ Jesus is the “mediator … between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5). The word “pitch” is the same word used for “reconciliation”.

Genesis 7:3

The Ark

Just like with Enoch there is salvation from the judgment for Noah, but in an other way than with Enoch. God not only makes Noah familiar with judgment, but also with salvation. He does not leave it to Noah to think of a way in which he can bring himself to safety. That is still the case today. There is only one Name given under heaven by which men must be saved (Acts 4:12) and that is “the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene” (Acts 4:10).

God, as He does later with the tabernacle, gives a precise description of the ark to be built. The ark is a picture of the Lord Jesus. The wood of the ark speaks of His Manhood. The Man Christ Jesus is the “mediator … between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5). The word “pitch” is the same word used for “reconciliation”.

Genesis 7:4

Everything on Earth Shall Perish

So far God has not said how He shall destroy the earth. Here He says that He shall do it by “the flood of water”. Now Noah understands why he has to build a big ship.

Genesis 7:5

Who Shall Enter the Ark

The ark serves primarily to save Noah and his family. Furthermore, everything that has value for God, everything that lives, shall also enter the ark. God’s plan is to populate an earth cleansed by judgment with everything that lives. God’s great care is evident not only from the ark itself but also from the compartments that have to be made in the ark. The ark is not one big space, but every living being gets his own compartment. Food also speaks of God’s care.

Genesis 7:6

Who Shall Enter the Ark

The ark serves primarily to save Noah and his family. Furthermore, everything that has value for God, everything that lives, shall also enter the ark. God’s plan is to populate an earth cleansed by judgment with everything that lives. God’s great care is evident not only from the ark itself but also from the compartments that have to be made in the ark. The ark is not one big space, but every living being gets his own compartment. Food also speaks of God’s care.

Genesis 7:7

Who Shall Enter the Ark

The ark serves primarily to save Noah and his family. Furthermore, everything that has value for God, everything that lives, shall also enter the ark. God’s plan is to populate an earth cleansed by judgment with everything that lives. God’s great care is evident not only from the ark itself but also from the compartments that have to be made in the ark. The ark is not one big space, but every living being gets his own compartment. Food also speaks of God’s care.

Genesis 7:8

Who Shall Enter the Ark

The ark serves primarily to save Noah and his family. Furthermore, everything that has value for God, everything that lives, shall also enter the ark. God’s plan is to populate an earth cleansed by judgment with everything that lives. God’s great care is evident not only from the ark itself but also from the compartments that have to be made in the ark. The ark is not one big space, but every living being gets his own compartment. Food also speaks of God’s care.

Genesis 7:9

Noah Obeys

Noah’s faith is evident from his obedience. He acts exactly according to the instructions of God. Similarly, Moses later acts in the construction of the tabernacle (Hebrews 8:5; Exodus 40:16). Likewise, our faith is evidenced by our obedience to all that God has said in His Word. If God warns of the judgments to come, then it is wisdom to make provisions accordingly (Exodus 9:20-21; Ezekiel 3:18).

Genesis 7:11

Noah Must Bring All in the Ark

Noah has prepared the ark. In Hebrews 11 it says that he does so “by faith …, being warned [by God] about things not yet seen” (Hebrews 11:7). He does it “in reverence”, out of respect for what God has said. And he does it “for the salvation of his household”. God wants to save families.

How great is the responsibility of the head of the family to live with the Lord, so that he can receive Divine “warnings” to build the ark. What am I building on as head of the family? What am I doing as head of the family?

It must have been a foolish activity for the people of his time. There they see a man building a huge ship, in the middle of the land, without water in the neighborhood. However, they do not only see him, but they also hear him. Noah is “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), so he is called. While he is building the ark, he warns the people for the coming judgment and invite them to come into the ark. He has been doing this for one hundred and twenty years (Genesis 6:3).

But they don’t believe. They continue with everyday life. As time goes by, they laugh harder and mock Noah. So it is also now: “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with [their] mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For[ever] since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God [the] heavens existed long ago and [the] earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water” (2 Peter 3:3-6).

People also mock today when they hear about the coming judgment. Like Noah, am I also a preacher of righteousness, or the righteous judgment of God? Judgment is again about to come. God will not again destroy the world by water, but by fire (2 Peter 3:7).

When the ark is ready, the LORD commands Noah and his house to enter the ark and also to take with him the animals. It is striking that in the animals a difference is made between clean and not clean animals. It is the first time this difference is mentioned. Of the clean animals he takes more with him. That is to be able to offer of them (Genesis 8:20).

Genesis 7:12

Noah Must Bring All in the Ark

Noah has prepared the ark. In Hebrews 11 it says that he does so “by faith …, being warned [by God] about things not yet seen” (Hebrews 11:7). He does it “in reverence”, out of respect for what God has said. And he does it “for the salvation of his household”. God wants to save families.

How great is the responsibility of the head of the family to live with the Lord, so that he can receive Divine “warnings” to build the ark. What am I building on as head of the family? What am I doing as head of the family?

It must have been a foolish activity for the people of his time. There they see a man building a huge ship, in the middle of the land, without water in the neighborhood. However, they do not only see him, but they also hear him. Noah is “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), so he is called. While he is building the ark, he warns the people for the coming judgment and invite them to come into the ark. He has been doing this for one hundred and twenty years (Genesis 6:3).

But they don’t believe. They continue with everyday life. As time goes by, they laugh harder and mock Noah. So it is also now: “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with [their] mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For[ever] since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God [the] heavens existed long ago and [the] earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water” (2 Peter 3:3-6).

People also mock today when they hear about the coming judgment. Like Noah, am I also a preacher of righteousness, or the righteous judgment of God? Judgment is again about to come. God will not again destroy the world by water, but by fire (2 Peter 3:7).

When the ark is ready, the LORD commands Noah and his house to enter the ark and also to take with him the animals. It is striking that in the animals a difference is made between clean and not clean animals. It is the first time this difference is mentioned. Of the clean animals he takes more with him. That is to be able to offer of them (Genesis 8:20).

Genesis 7:13

Noah Must Bring All in the Ark

Noah has prepared the ark. In Hebrews 11 it says that he does so “by faith …, being warned [by God] about things not yet seen” (Hebrews 11:7). He does it “in reverence”, out of respect for what God has said. And he does it “for the salvation of his household”. God wants to save families.

How great is the responsibility of the head of the family to live with the Lord, so that he can receive Divine “warnings” to build the ark. What am I building on as head of the family? What am I doing as head of the family?

It must have been a foolish activity for the people of his time. There they see a man building a huge ship, in the middle of the land, without water in the neighborhood. However, they do not only see him, but they also hear him. Noah is “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), so he is called. While he is building the ark, he warns the people for the coming judgment and invite them to come into the ark. He has been doing this for one hundred and twenty years (Genesis 6:3).

But they don’t believe. They continue with everyday life. As time goes by, they laugh harder and mock Noah. So it is also now: “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with [their] mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For[ever] since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God [the] heavens existed long ago and [the] earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water” (2 Peter 3:3-6).

People also mock today when they hear about the coming judgment. Like Noah, am I also a preacher of righteousness, or the righteous judgment of God? Judgment is again about to come. God will not again destroy the world by water, but by fire (2 Peter 3:7).

When the ark is ready, the LORD commands Noah and his house to enter the ark and also to take with him the animals. It is striking that in the animals a difference is made between clean and not clean animals. It is the first time this difference is mentioned. Of the clean animals he takes more with him. That is to be able to offer of them (Genesis 8:20).

Genesis 7:14

Seven More Days Added

After commanding Noah to enter the ark, God leaves the door of the ark open, as it were, for an extra seven days. To God’s patience, which “kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark” (1 Peter 3:20a), seven more days are added.

Genesis 7:15

Noah Obeys the LORD in All Things

When Noah has finished constructing the ark, his mind is still as it was at the beginning of constructing the ark (Genesis 6:22). He does “according to all that the LORD had commanded him”. When the flood begins, he is six hundred years old. He enters the ark. God sends the animals to the ark. The same hand that first brought the animals to Adam to receive their names from him (Genesis 2:19), now brings them “into the ark to Noah” to be kept alive by him. “An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master’s manger”, but man has no understanding or knowledge (Isaiah 1:3). The animals are more obedient than the people. Noah gives all animals their place.

Genesis 7:16

Noah Obeys the LORD in All Things

When Noah has finished constructing the ark, his mind is still as it was at the beginning of constructing the ark (Genesis 6:22). He does “according to all that the LORD had commanded him”. When the flood begins, he is six hundred years old. He enters the ark. God sends the animals to the ark. The same hand that first brought the animals to Adam to receive their names from him (Genesis 2:19), now brings them “into the ark to Noah” to be kept alive by him. “An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master’s manger”, but man has no understanding or knowledge (Isaiah 1:3). The animals are more obedient than the people. Noah gives all animals their place.

Genesis 7:17

Noah Obeys the LORD in All Things

When Noah has finished constructing the ark, his mind is still as it was at the beginning of constructing the ark (Genesis 6:22). He does “according to all that the LORD had commanded him”. When the flood begins, he is six hundred years old. He enters the ark. God sends the animals to the ark. The same hand that first brought the animals to Adam to receive their names from him (Genesis 2:19), now brings them “into the ark to Noah” to be kept alive by him. “An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master’s manger”, but man has no understanding or knowledge (Isaiah 1:3). The animals are more obedient than the people. Noah gives all animals their place.

Genesis 7:18

Noah Obeys the LORD in All Things

When Noah has finished constructing the ark, his mind is still as it was at the beginning of constructing the ark (Genesis 6:22). He does “according to all that the LORD had commanded him”. When the flood begins, he is six hundred years old. He enters the ark. God sends the animals to the ark. The same hand that first brought the animals to Adam to receive their names from him (Genesis 2:19), now brings them “into the ark to Noah” to be kept alive by him. “An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master’s manger”, but man has no understanding or knowledge (Isaiah 1:3). The animals are more obedient than the people. Noah gives all animals their place.

Genesis 7:19

Noah Obeys the LORD in All Things

When Noah has finished constructing the ark, his mind is still as it was at the beginning of constructing the ark (Genesis 6:22). He does “according to all that the LORD had commanded him”. When the flood begins, he is six hundred years old. He enters the ark. God sends the animals to the ark. The same hand that first brought the animals to Adam to receive their names from him (Genesis 2:19), now brings them “into the ark to Noah” to be kept alive by him. “An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master’s manger”, but man has no understanding or knowledge (Isaiah 1:3). The animals are more obedient than the people. Noah gives all animals their place.

Genesis 7:20

God Does What He Has Said

Then the patience of God is at an end. God does what He has said. All mockers are silenced when they see that every word God has spoken will be fulfilled by Him.

Genesis 7:21

All Go into the Ark – The LORD Closes the Door

On the same day that the flood begins, Noah with his house and the animals enter the ark. Only Noah and his house, which are “a few, that is, eight persons”, enter the ark (1 Peter 3:20b), no one else. The LORD closes the door behind him. Everyone who is outside at that moment is lost beyond redemption (cf. Matthew 25:10-13).

The devastating judgments of the future will not come until God has provided for the safety of His people (Revelation 7:3; Genesis 19:22). When the devout men are taken away, the judgments are not far away, for they are taken away before evil (Isaiah 57:1). This also applies to the church which will be raptured before the great tribulation comes upon all the earth (Revelation 3:10). We have seen this in the picture of Enoch, who was taken away before the judgment of the flood (Genesis 5:24).

Genesis 7:22

All Go into the Ark – The LORD Closes the Door

On the same day that the flood begins, Noah with his house and the animals enter the ark. Only Noah and his house, which are “a few, that is, eight persons”, enter the ark (1 Peter 3:20b), no one else. The LORD closes the door behind him. Everyone who is outside at that moment is lost beyond redemption (cf. Matthew 25:10-13).

The devastating judgments of the future will not come until God has provided for the safety of His people (Revelation 7:3; Genesis 19:22). When the devout men are taken away, the judgments are not far away, for they are taken away before evil (Isaiah 57:1). This also applies to the church which will be raptured before the great tribulation comes upon all the earth (Revelation 3:10). We have seen this in the picture of Enoch, who was taken away before the judgment of the flood (Genesis 5:24).

Genesis 7:23

All Go into the Ark – The LORD Closes the Door

On the same day that the flood begins, Noah with his house and the animals enter the ark. Only Noah and his house, which are “a few, that is, eight persons”, enter the ark (1 Peter 3:20b), no one else. The LORD closes the door behind him. Everyone who is outside at that moment is lost beyond redemption (cf. Matthew 25:10-13).

The devastating judgments of the future will not come until God has provided for the safety of His people (Revelation 7:3; Genesis 19:22). When the devout men are taken away, the judgments are not far away, for they are taken away before evil (Isaiah 57:1). This also applies to the church which will be raptured before the great tribulation comes upon all the earth (Revelation 3:10). We have seen this in the picture of Enoch, who was taken away before the judgment of the flood (Genesis 5:24).

Genesis 7:24

All Go into the Ark – The LORD Closes the Door

On the same day that the flood begins, Noah with his house and the animals enter the ark. Only Noah and his house, which are “a few, that is, eight persons”, enter the ark (1 Peter 3:20b), no one else. The LORD closes the door behind him. Everyone who is outside at that moment is lost beyond redemption (cf. Matthew 25:10-13).

The devastating judgments of the future will not come until God has provided for the safety of His people (Revelation 7:3; Genesis 19:22). When the devout men are taken away, the judgments are not far away, for they are taken away before evil (Isaiah 57:1). This also applies to the church which will be raptured before the great tribulation comes upon all the earth (Revelation 3:10). We have seen this in the picture of Enoch, who was taken away before the judgment of the flood (Genesis 5:24).