The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 200

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 16.-Tlie bdiever's safet1J. Parable of the ten virgins speaks of a final separa• tion. •"The door was shut.' There our thoughts are turned to those without; here, to those within. The time was come when the choice must be made. " Come thou nnd 1111 thy house into the ark." The broad and narrow way. The confinement of the ark or the freedom of home; and, in view of the flood, the frail vessel or the mountains. Trust in Christ or trust in self (cf. Rom. x. 3). He chose the way of faith. God shut him in (cf. Isa. xxvi. 3). He knew he was eafe. The world saw no good in it. The pause of seven days (ver. 10) illustrates the present state. Believers rejoicing in their safety ; the world unconvinced of danger. I. CHRIST OFFERS SAFETY TO ALL. The ark was prepared that all might be saved. The condemnation was because they did not care (John iii. 19). There was room and welcome for nil who would come (cf. Luke xiv. 22). Noah did not preach im- possible things. When Jericho was destroyed Ra.bah was saved. When Sodom, Lot. God bids all seek and find refuge in Christ (Rom. iii. 22). II. CHRIST IS A REFUGE FROM THE CONVICTION OF SIN. How many are livin~~ witho~t serious concern. Not rejecting the gospel; they hear it, and approve, a1io. think that all is well. Like St. Paul, 11 alive without the law." God's commanc• ments not understood ; his holiness not known. Let such a one be led to see how God's law reaches to the springs of life and feeling, and to feel the working of the 11 law of sin" in his members ; then what a flood. " Who will show us any good ? " Good deeds cannot give pence. Worldly good as wormwood. Conscience repeat9, He bas been knocking, and I bav:e not opened (Prov. i. 26). Yet, hark I his voice again: "Come unto me." It is not too late. Even now, if thou wilt, the Lord will shut thee in. III. THE SAFETY OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE, whom God shuts in. Who shall lay anything to their charge? Who shall condemn ? Who shall separate ? (Rom. viii. 33-35). The flood is without. Noah is weak and helpless as the world. Hi8 safety is God's refuge. The Christian is surrounded by evil influences, messengers of Satan. Temptations to worldliness or to spiritual pride ; cares and anxieties hinder- ing prayer; suggestions of unbelief, and hard thoughts of God ; the fainting of nature because so little progress made. But in Christ is safety. Coming to him daily as we are; with weak faith, with many perplexities, with the marks of many falls. His word is, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." In the trials of lib "we 11re more than conquerors through him that loved us."-M;  124 Tlil ·BOOR OF GENESIS. (en. vm. 1-14.