Genesis 7:1
INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 7
This chapter begins with an order to Noah to come with his family and all the creatures into the ark, that they might be safe from the flood, which would quickly be upon the earth, Ge 7:1 and then gives an account of Noah's obedience to the divine command in every particular, Ge 7:5 and of the time of the beginning of the flood, and its prevalence, Ge 7:10 then follows a repetition of Noah, his family, and the creatures entering into the ark, Ge 7:13 and next a relation is given of the increase of the waters, and of the height they arrived unto, Ge 7:17 and of the consequences of the flood, the death and destruction of every living creature, except those in the ark, fowl, cattle, beast, creeping things, and men, Ge 7:21 and the chapter is closed with an account how long the waters continued before they began to ebb, even one hundred and fifty days, Ge 7:24.
Ver. 1. And the Lord said unto Noah,.... After Noah had built the ark, and got all things ready as were commanded him; and when it was but seven days ere the flood would begin:
Come thou and all thy house into the ark; that is, he and his wife, his three sons and their wives;
for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation: this was a great character of Noah; that he was a "righteous" person, not by his own righteousness, but by the righteousness of faith he was both heir and preacher of; and this he was "before" God, in his sight, seen, known, and acknowledged by him as righteous; and therefore must be really so: and this shows that he was not so by the works of the law, but by the righteousness of Christ; because by them no flesh living is justified in the sight of God: and Noah was a rare instance of this character; there was none besides him in that wicked generation, so that he was very conspicuous and remarkable; and it was wonderful grace to him, that he should have this blessing to be righteous in an age so sadly corrupt, which was the cause of his being saved; for whoever are justified shall be saved eternally, Ro 8:30 as well as they are often saved from temporal calamities, see Isa 3:10.