| C. | GOD'S COVENANT WITH NOAH. | ||
| * | The way God comforted Noah in announcing the flood, and why such comfort was needed [260]. | ||
| 1. | The nature of this covenant. | ||
| a. | The views of Lyra, Burgensis and others [261]. | ||
| b. | Luther's views [262-263]. | ||
| 2. | Whether the giants or tyrants were embraced in this covenant and how received by them [262-263]. | ||
| 3. | Why it was made only with Noah [264]. | ||
| 4. | How this covenant was made clearer from time to time, and why it was needed at this time [265]. | ||
| 5. | How a special call was added to this covenant [266]. | ||
| * | God's judgment upon the first world terrible [267]. | ||
| * | Why Ham was taken into the ark, who was later rejected [267]. | ||
| * | Foreknowledge and election. | ||
| a. | Why we should avoid thinking and disputing on this subject [268]. | ||
| b. | To what end should the examples of Scripture on this theme serve [269]. | ||
| c. | How consideration of the same may help and harm us [270]. | ||
C. GOD'S COVENANT WITH NOAH.
V. 18. But I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
260. To this comfort Moses before pointed when he declared that Noah had found grace. Noah stood in need of it, not only to escape despair amid such wrath, but also for the strengthening of his faith in view of the raging retribution. For it was no easy matter to believe the whole human race was to perish. The world consequently judged Noah to be a dolt for believing such things, ridiculed him and, undoubtedly, made his ship an object of satire. In order to strengthen his mind amid such offenses, God speaks with him often, and now even reminds him of his covenant.
261. Interpreters discuss the question, what that covenant was. Lyra explains it as the promise to defend him against the evil men who had threatened to murder him. Burgensis claims this covenant refers to the perils amid the waters, which were to be warded off. Still others believe it was the covenant of the rainbow, which the Lord afterward made with Noah.
262. In my opinion, he speaks of a spiritual covenant, or of the promise of the seed, which was to bruise the serpent's head. The giants had this covenant, but when its abuse resulted in pride and wickedness, they fell from it. So it was afterward with the Jews, whose carnal presumption in reference to God, the Law, worship and temple led to their loss of these gifts and they perished. To Noah, however, God confirms this covenant by certainly declaring that Christ was to be born from his posterity and that God would leave, amid such great wrath, a nursery for the Church. This covenant includes not only protection of Noah's body, the view advocated by Lyra and Burgensis, but also eternal life.
263. The sentiment, therefore, of the promise is this: Those insolent despisers of my promises and threats will compel me to punish them. I shall first withdraw from them the protection and assurance which are theirs by reason of their covenant with me, that they may perish without covenant and without mercy. But that covenant I shall transfer to you so that you shall be saved, not alone from such power of the waters, but also from eternal death and condemnation.