Genesis 6:22

Thus did Noah; according to all that Goa commanded. Noah demonstrated his faith by doing just what God said. To fail to do thus is the proof of unbelief. Paul says: "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, being moved by fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." The building of the ark was an act of faith, and Noah was saved by the obedience of faith.

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

TRADITIONS OF. DELUGE.--All the great nations of history have traditions, more or less definite, of. vast deluge in the days of their fathers. As should be expected, these traditions compared with the Bible record are variously modified, corrupted we might Bay, mixed with fable, magnified as great stories are wont to be in passing from lip to lip through many generations. In general those are most pure which are nearest to the locality of Eden and were earliest committed to writing. Some authors classify them into the West Asiatic, including the Babylonian, that of the Sybilline books, the Phrygian, the Armenian, and the Syrian, some of which are remarkably close to the truth; the East Asiatic, including the Persian, the Chinese, and the Indian; Grecian, found in the Greek and Roman writers; and those of peoples and tribes outside of the old world; --the Celts, Mexicans, Peruvians and Indians of America and the tribes of the Pacific islands. Lange remarks that the ethical idea of the flood as. judgment on men for their sins is everywhere apparent.-- Cowles.

THE REASONS FOR THE FLOOD.--It was essential to the moral results that God Bought to effect, that the reasons for the flood should be very plainly brought out. Hence they are stated again and again. From such statements as Genesis 6:5-13, and other passages, we are shown in the most emphatic terms that the whole living race, outside of Noah and his family, had deeply apostatized from God and were boldly and defiantly irreligious. It was. whole generation hopelessly corrupt, daring the Almighty to make good his awful words of warning. The result is on record in order that all sinners of every age, tempted to like hardihood and defiance of God, may study it with profound consideration. The lesson is, "If God spared not the old world, but saved Noah, the eighth person,. preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;--the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation and preserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." 2 Peter 2:4-9.

N OAH'S FAITH.--Noah's faith stands pre-eminent. 1. All the world was against him. 2. There were no appearances in nature that looked like. flood was coming. 3. It seemed like folly to build. monster ship on dry land and thus be jeered at as. lunatic by all men. Yet he did this great work by faith, faith in God's word. "Moved by fear he prepared the ark." The result was the saving of his house. Thus faith always acts. Unless it moves to obedience it is worthless.

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

1. Note the state of the world. Men of bloody deeds; no regard for right; weakness trampled on. Hence God was angry with man. 2. Note one righteous family. Righteous because they "walked with God." All who do thus are righteous. 8. Note God's purpose. Why he resolved to destroy the earth. Long suffering and kind, but total depravity he will destroy. 4. Note the revelation to Noah. What was it? What for? What was its effect? Why did Noah obey? 6. Picture the ark, near the size of the Great Eastern, three decked ship; note details. 6. Observe the faithful obedience of Noah, the demonstration that he was. man of faith, and how faith saved him. Also how unbelief destroyed his cotemporaries. 7. Apply the moral lessons of the Flood and show that God thus deals with all who are hardened and hopelessly corrupt.