651. GEN 7:1. GOD’S INVITATION TO ENTER THE ARK

Gen_7:1. God’s Invitation to Enter the Ark

"And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation."’97Gen_7:1.

The text is connected with one of the most fearful judgments with which God ever visited the world. It relates to the deluge.’97A visitation of the Divine displeasure, which occurred when the world had existed about 2,000 years. It was a most terrific judgment,’97universal, except in reference to one family. It had been long predicted. Was slow in its execution; for the longsuffering of God waited, &c. At length it was literally fulfilled. The patience of God is now yielding to retributive justice. The Judge is at the door; and he speaks to Noah, in the text, and says’97"Come thou and all thy house."

Observe, in the spiritual application of the subject,

I. The sinner’s imminent peril.

II. The sinner’s only remedy. And,

III. The sinner’s especial duty. I. The sinner’s imminent peril. His peril,

1. Arises from his guilt and rebellion against God.

Sin is the violation of the. Divine law. Punishment and sin are necessarily connected’97they are linked together by the justice of God. Law is powerless, without penalties, &c.

2. This peril is that of everlasting death.

"The soul that sinneth shall die." It is exclusion from God, &c. From heaven’97from all bliss’97and from all hope.

3. To this peril all unconverted men are exposed.

No degree of moral excellence. No amiableness or station will exempt. The profligate and the Pharisee’97the philosopher and the savage, are alike amenable to God.

4. This peril is most imminent.

Life measures our probation,’97death ends it; and man’s breath is in his nostrils, &c. He is living to-day’97a corpse, probably, tomorrow. In the midst of life, we are in death, &c.

II. Observe the sinner’s only remedy.

The ark was the remedy provided for the repentant, believing antediluvians. Christ Jesus is the ark for a perishing world.

1. Both originated in the Divine goodness and compassion.

God was the deviser and architect of the ark. He also contrived the plan of salvation, and sent his only Son, &c. "This we know and testify," &c.

2. Both were adapted for man’s deliverance.

The ark for the antediluvians,’97Christ for our fallen race.

He is our Brother, having our nature.

He is Divine, being equal with God.

He is both, in one mysterious unity; and, therefore, can efficiently mediate between the two parties.

(1.) He is able to save. (2.) Efficacious in saving all who apply to him. (3.) Ready to save.

3. God’s free invitation is sent to all.

Noah preached for one hundred and twenty years, &c. If any had believed, they would have been saved with Noah, &c. Now the gospel is sent to a world of sinners. "Go ye," &c. "This gospel of the kingdom," &c. "Thus it was written," &c. "Come unto me," &c.

Observe,

III. The sinner’s especial duty.

"Come thou," &c.

1. He must believe what is said of his danger and remedy.

"Believest thou this?"

2. He must come to God’s ark.

Not make an ark.’97Or repair to one of man’s invention; but come to God’s ark.

3. He must enter into it.

Be personally and experimentally in Christ. Not only near, but really within. "Baptized into Christ." "If any man," &c. I knew a man in Christ, &c.

4. He must labor to bring his relatives with him.

"All thy house." Abraham, Jacob, Joshua, and David, endeavored to do this. We ask, (1.) Who are in the ark? (2.) Who will come? (3.) Refusers must perish.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS