407. 2PE 2:5. NOAH A TYPE OF CHRIST
2Pe_2:5. Noah a Type Of Christ
"Noah’97a preacher of righteousness."’972Pe_2:5.
Few lives have had so many incidents of a striking nature crowded into them as that of Noah. He lived at a very interesting crisis, and had to do with events of the most solemn and important character. His personal history is repeatedly brought for ward to command the imitation of the servants of God, and as a model of sterling, although not infallible rectitude. In considering his eventful history as typifying that of the Saviour, most of the prominent traits and occurrences of his life will necessarily be brought before us. Noah seems to have been a type of the Redeemer,
I. In his Name.
Noah signifies comfort or rest; and of him it was prophetically said, "This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands," &c. Gen_5:29 Now Jesus is emphatically the "consolation of Israel," and the rest of a heavy-laden and guilty world. He imparts spiritual rest to the weary soul. The believer rests on him as the only foundation of hope; and he has provided, and it is his prerogative to admit to that heavenly rest, which remains for the people of God.
II. In his Holy Life.
"Noah was a just man and perfect in his generation, and Noah walked with God." Gen_6:9. What a testimony does God give in this verse of the excellency of Noah; "just, perfect, and walking with God." Yet how much more fully were these features observable in Jesus. He was the "Just One." His nature was immaculate,’97without spot, or sinful infirmity. He lived in closest fellowship with God. Ever walked before him in all well-pleasing. His whole life reflected the purity of the Father, and, in all things and every moment, God approved, and loved, and delighted in him.
III. In his Public Ministrations.
Noah was a "preacher of righteousness." No doubt it was by the truth which Noah delivered, that the Spirit strove with the wicked and infatuated antediluvian world. We have every reason to believe that in discharging this office, he was faithful, self-denying, earnest, and persevering. How fully did this office point out the ministrations of the Son of God. Jesus was appointed to preach the gospel of righteousness to the poor. To this he devotedly attended, and faithfully did he persevere in publishing the righteous doctrines and precepts of his heavenly kingdom. His preaching was eminently spiritual, yet clear, plain, and often clothed in the language of figure and parable, so that the common people heard him gladly. It is remarkable, too, that, as preachers, both prophesied of the just vengeance of God. Noah with respect to the old world, Jesus with respect to Jerusalem and Judea.
IV. As the Deliverer of his Family.
God directed him to prepare an ark for the saving of himself and house; and he obeyed God, built the ark, and thus saved himself and family from the destructive flood. Jesus expressly came to save his people from their sins, and thus to deliver them from the wrath to come. The ark, in this sense, seems strikingly to represent the church of Christ.
(1) Thus, as in the ark the family of Noah were together, and separated from an ungodly world, so believers are redeemed out of the world, and are united together under their one head, Jesus Christ.
(2) As the ark was of divine construction, so the church is the workmanship of Christ, fashioned in all things after his own infinite wisdom and skill.
(3) As the ark was the instrument of safety, so we are brought into the church out of the condemnation under which the whole world lieth.
(4) As those in the ark escaped the vengeance of God, and became the inhabitants of the new world; so all believers, united together in the church of Christ, are heirs of God and of the kingdom of eternal life.
V. As the Priest of the World.
Noah evidently acted as such, and his offerings were clearly typical of that which Christ has presented for the guilt of the world. See Gen_8:20, Gen_8:21. The sacrifice which Noah presented consisted of clean beasts, and also of every clean fowl, a sacrifice which was peculiarly acceptable to God, and through which he expressed his gracious regards to the future generations of mankind. Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice of himself, for all the nations and families of the earth, a sacrifice which made atonement for the transgressions of man, and through which God has expressed his favor and mercy to all who sincerely repent and believe the gospel of his Son.
Such are the leading points of typical resemblance between Noah and Jesus. Many instances of disparity will be obvious to the contemplative mind.
(1) Noah was only perfect in his generation, contrasted with those around him; he had the infirmities pertaining to sinful nature, and after his deliverance fell into temptation, and became inebriated with the fermented juice of the grape. Jesus was sinless, absolutely holy, and guile was not found in his mouth.
(2) The ark which Noah built was for the temporal deliverance of a few persons Christ’s salvation is spiritual and eternal and will embrace, of all nations and tongues, a multitude which no man can number.
Application
1. Sinners who reject the message of life by Christ Jesus, must be involved in endless and irremediable ruin.
2. The guilt of such is exceedingly aggravated, above those who perished in the time of Noah.
3. Let all men listen to the gracious overtures of mercy as made known in the gospel.
4. All who believe and enter into the ark shall be saved.
5. There is ample room in the ark, and a free invitation to every sinner.
6. Be wise, and enter in, and be saved.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS