Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/92

60 CHAP. VI. The most remarkable thing we have upon record concerning the old world, is, the destruction of it by the universal deluge, which this chapter begins the story of; wherein we have, I. The abounding iniquity of that wicked world, v. 1..5. and v. 11, 12. II. The righteous God's just resentment of that abounding iniquity, and his holy resolution to punish it, v. 6, 7. III. The special favour of God to his servant Noah. 1. In the character given of him, v. 8..10. 2. In the communication of God's purpose to him, v. 13, 17. 3. In the directions he gave him to make an ark for his own safety, v. 14..16. 4. In the employing of him for the preservation of the rest of the creatures, v. 18..21. Lastly, Noah's obedience to the instructions given him, v. 22. And this concerning the old world is written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the new world are come.

ND it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them: 2. That the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were fair: and they took them wives of all which they chose.

For the glory of God's justice, and for warning to a wicked world, before the history of the ruin of the old world, we have a full account of its degeneracy, its apostasy from God and rebellion against him. The destroying of it was an act, not of absolute sovereignty, but of necessary justice for the maintaining of the honour of God's government. Now here we have an account of two things which occasioned the wickedness of the old world.

1. The increase of mankind. Men began to multiply upon the face of the earth. This was the effect of the blessing, ch. 1. 23, and yet man's corruption so abused and perverted this blessing, that it turned into a curse. Thus sin takes occasion by the mercies of God to be the more exceeding sinful. Prov. 29. 16, When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth. The more sinners, the more sin; and the multitude of offenders embolden men: infectious diseases are more destructive in populous cities; and sin is a spreading leprosy. Thus in the New Testament church, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring, Acts 6. 1, and we read of a nation that was multiplied, not to the increase of their joy, Isa. 9. 3. Numerous families need to be well governed, lest they should become wicked families.

2. Mixed marriages, v. 2. The sons of God, that is, the professors of religion, who were called by the name of the Lord, and called upon that name, married the daughters of men, that is, those that were profane, and strangers to God and godliness. The posterity of Seth did not keep by themselves, as they ought to have done, both for the preservation of their own purity, and in detestation of the apostasy; they intermingled themselves with the excommunicated race of Cain; they took them wives of all that they chose. But what was amiss in these marriages? (1.) They chose only by the eye; they saw that they were fair, which was all they looked at. (2.) They followed the choice which their own corrupt affections made; they took all that they chose, without advice and consideration. But, (3.) That which proved of such bad consequence to them, was, that they married strange wives, were unequally yoked with unbelievers, 2 Cor. 6. 14. This was forbidden to Israel, Deut. 7. 3, 4. It was the unhappy occasion of Solomon's apostasy, 1 Kings 11. 1..4, and was of bad consequence to the Jews after their return out of Babylon, Ezra 9. 1, 2. Note, Professors of religion, in marrying both themselves and their children, should make conscience of keeping within the bounds of profession. The bad will sooner debauch the good than the good reform the bad. Those that profess themselves the children of God, must not marry without his consent, which they have not, if they join in affinity with his enemies.

3. And the said. My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh; yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

This comes in here, 1. As a token of God's displeasure at those who married strange wives; he threatens to withdraw his Spirit from them, whom they had grieved by such marriages, contrary to their convictions. Fleshly lusts are often punished with spiritual judgments, the sorest of all judgments. Or, 2. As another occasion of the great wickedness of the old world; the Spirit of the Lord, being provoked by their resistance of his motions, ceased to strive with them, and then all religion was soon lost among them. This he warns them of before, that they might not further vex his holy Spirit, but by their prayers might stay him with them. Observe in this verse,

1. God's resolution not always to strive with man by his Spirit. The Spirit then strove by Noah's preaching, 1 Pet. 3. 19, 20, and by inward checks; but it was in vain with the most of men; therefore, says God, He shall not always strive. Note, (1.) The blessed Spirit strives with sinners, by the convictions and admonitions of conscience, to turn them from sin to God. (2.) If the Spirit be resisted, quenched, and striven against; though he strive long, he will not strive always, Hos. 4. 17. (3.) Those are ripening apace for ruin, whom the Spirit of grace has left off striving with.

2. The reason of that resolution; For that he also is flesh, that is, incurably corrupt, and carnal, and sensual, so that it is labour lost to strive with him. Can the Ethiopian change his skin? He also, that, is, All, one as well as another, they are all sunk into the mire of flesh. Note, (1.) It is the corrupt nature, and inclination of the soul toward the flesh, that oppose the Spirit's strivings, and render them ineffectual. (2.) When a sinner has long adhered to that interest, and sided with the flesh against the Spirit, the Spirit justly withdraws his agency, and strives no more. None lose the Spirit's strivings, but those that have first forfeited them.

3. A reprieve granted, notwithstanding; yet his days shall be 120 years; so long I will defer the judgment they deserve, and give them space to prevent it by their repentance and reformation. Justice said, Cut them down; but mercy interceded, Lord, let them alone this year also; and so far mercy prevailed, that a reprieve was obtained for six-score years. Note, The time of God's patience and forbearance toward provoking sinners is sometimes long, but always limited: reprieves are not pardons; though God bear a great while, he will not bear always.

4. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men, which were of old, men of renown: 5, And saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

We have here a further account of the corruption of the old world. When the sons of God had matched with the daughters of men, though it was very displeasing to God, yet he did not immediately