patriarchs and prophets-第24章
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the days of Noah。 Paul warns us that we may look for wickedness to increase
as the end draws near： 〃The Spirit speaketh expressly； that in the latter
times some shall depart from the faith； giving heed to seducing spirits； and
doctrines of devils。〃 1 Timothy 4：1。 The apostle says that 〃in the last days
perilous times shall come。〃 2 Timothy 3：1。 And he gives a startling list of
sins that will be found among those who have a form of godliness。
As the time of their probation was closing； the antediluvians gave
themselves up to exciting amusements and festivities。 Those who possessed
influence and power were bent on keeping the minds of the people engrossed
with mirth and pleasure； lest any should be impressed by the last solemn
warning。 Do we not see the same repeated in our day？ While God's servants
are giving the message that the end of all things is at hand； the world is
absorbed in amusements and pleasure seeking。 There is a constant round of
excitement that causes indifference to God and prevents the people from
being impressed by the truths which alone can save them from the coming
destruction。
In Noah's day philosophers declared that it was impossible for the world to
be destroyed by water； so now there are men of science who endeavor to show
that the world cannot be destroyed by firethat this would be inconsistent
with the laws of nature。 But the God of nature； the Maker and Controller of
her laws； can use the works of His hands to serve His own purpose。
When great and wise men had proved to their satisfaction that it was
impossible for the world to be destroyed by water； when
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the fears of the people were quieted； when all regarded Noah's prophecy as a
delusion； and looked upon him as a fanaticthen it was that God's time had
come。 〃The fountains of the great deep〃 were 〃broken up； and the windows of
heaven were opened；〃 and the scoffers were overwhelmed in the waters of the
Flood。 With all their boasted philosophy； men found too late that their
wisdom was foolishness； that the Lawgiver is greater than the laws of
nature； and that Omnipotence is at no loss for means to accomplish His
purposes。 〃As it was in the days of Noah；〃 〃even thus shall it be in the
days when the Son of man is revealed。〃 Luke 17：26； 30。 〃The day of the Lord
will come as a thief in the night； in the which the heavens shall pass away
with a great noise； and the elements shall melt with fervent heat； the earth
also and the works that are therein shall be burned up。〃 2 Peter 3：10。 When
the reasoning of philosophy has banished the fear of God's judgments； when
religious teachers are pointing forward to long ages of peace and
prosperity； and the world are absorbed in their rounds of business and
pleasure； planting and building； feasting and merrymaking； rejecting God's
warnings and mocking His messengersthen it is that sudden destruction
cometh upon them； and they shall not escape。 1 Thessalonians 5：3。
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Chapter 8
After the Flood
The waters rose fifteen cubits above the highest mountains。 It often seemed
to the family within the ark that they must perish； as for five long months
their boat was tossed about； apparently at the mercy of wind and wave。 It
was a trying ordeal； but Noah's faith did not waver； for he had the
assurance that the divine hand was upon the helm。
As the waters began to subside； the Lord caused the ark to drift into a spot
protected by a group of mountains that had been preserved by His power。
These mountains were but a little distance apart； and the ark moved about in
this quiet haven； and was no longer driven upon the boundless ocean。 This
gave great relief to the weary； tempest…tossed voyagers。
Noah and his family anxiously waited for the decrease of the waters； for
they longed to go forth again upon the earth。 Forty days after the tops of
the mountains became visible； they sent out a raven； a bird of quick scent；
to discover whether the earth had become dry。 This bird； finding nothing but
water； continued to fly to and from the ark。 Seven days later a dove was
sent forth； which； finding no footing； returned to the ark。 Noah waited
seven days longer； and again sent forth the dove。 When she returned at
evening with an olive leaf in her mouth； there was great rejoicing。 Later
〃Noah removed the covering of the ark； and looked； and； behold； the face of
the ground was dry。〃 Still he waited patiently within the ark。 As he had
entered at God's command； he waited for special directions to depart。
At last an angel descended from heaven； opened the massive door； and bade
the patriarch and his household go forth upon the earth and take with them
every living thing。 In the joy of their release Noah did not forget Him by
whose gracious care they had been preserved。 His first act after leaving the
ark was
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to build an altar and offer from every kind of clean beast and fowl a
sacrifice； thus manifesting his gratitude to God for deliverance and his
faith in Christ； the great sacrifice。 This offering was pleasing to the
Lord； and a blessing resulted； not only to the patriarch and his family； but
to all who should live upon the earth。 〃The Lord smelled a sweet savor； and
the Lord said in His heart； I will not again curse the ground any more for
man's sake。 。 。 。 While the earth remaineth； seedtime and harvest； and cold
and heat； and summer and winter； and day and night shall not cease。〃 Here
was a lesson for all succeeding generations。 Noah had come forth upon a
desolate earth； but before preparing a house for himself he built an altar
to God。 His stock of cattle was small； and had been preserved at great
expense； yet he cheerfully gave a part to the Lord as an acknowledgment that
all was His。 In like manner it should be our first care to render our
freewill offerings to God。 Every manifestation of His mercy and love toward
us should be gratefully acknowledged； both by acts of devotion and by gifts
to His cause。
Lest the gathering clouds and falling rain should fill men with constant
terror； from fear of another flood； the Lord encouraged the family of Noah
by a promise： 〃I will establish My covenant with you； 。 。 。 neither shall
there any more be a flood to destroy the earth。 。 。 。 I do set My bow in the
cloud； and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth。
And it shall come to pass； when I bring a cloud over the earth； that the bow
shall be seen in the cloud。 。 。 。 And I will look upon it； that I may
remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature。〃
How great the condescension of God and His compassion for His erring
creatures in thus placing the beautiful rainbow in the clouds as a token of
His covenant with men！ The Lord declares that when He looks upon the bow； He
will remember His covenant。 This does not imply that He would ever forget；
but He speaks to us in our own language； that we may better understand Him。
It was God's purpose that as the children of after generations should ask
the meaning of the glorious arch which spans the heavens； their parents
should repeat the story of the Flood； and tell them that the Most High had
bended the bow and placed it in the clouds as an assurance that the waters
should never again overflow the earth。 Thus from generation to generation
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it would testify of divine love to man and would strengthen his confidence
in God。
In heaven the semblance of a rainbow encircles the throne and overarches the
head of Christ。 The prophet says； 〃As the appearance of the bow that is in
the cloud in the day of rain； so was the appearance of the brightness round
about ＇the throne＇。 This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of
Jehovah。〃 Ezekiel 1：28。 The revelator declares； 〃Behold； a throne was set in
heaven； and one sat on the throne。 。 。 。 There was a rainbow round about the
throne； in sight like unto an emerald。〃 Revelation 4：2； 3。 When man by his
great wickedness invites the divine judgments； the Saviour； in
