Genesis 7:17

And the waters increased

Increased affliction

I. THAT AFFLICTION IS PROGRESSIVE IN ITS DEVELOPMENT AND SEVERITY.

II. THAT INCREASED AFFLICTION IS THE CONTINUED AND EFFECTIVE DISCIPLINE AND PUNISHMENT OF GOD. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

The judgment on an ungodly world

I. JUDGMENT THREATENED.

II. JUDGMENT DELAYED. God’s forbearance and long suffering. Every day brings judgment nearer.

III. JUDGMENT EXECUTED. God did as He said. This judgment was--

1. Terrible.

2. Unavoidable.

3. Universal.

LESSONS:--

1. Listen to God’s warnings.

2. Abuse not God’s long suffering.

3. Flee from the wrath to come. (W. S. Smith, B. D.)

The destruction of the wicked.

1. Numbers, learning, wealth, combination, could not save. “Though wickedness join hand in hand, it shall not go unpunished.”

2. Their destruction complete and universal. None escaped.

3. They were not without an offer of mercy. In 120 years longer, after the warning was given, they were striven with. This was their day of grace. By word and life, Noah preached to them.

4. At length “the flood came and took them all away.” Consternation, when they saw the ark drifting away, and the water still rising. Despair. A too late repentance. (J. C. Gray.)