Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 2: Luther on Sin and the Flood

by Martin Luther

269. What, then, you will ask, shall we declare with reference to these examples? Nothing but that they are pointed out to inspire us with the fear of God, so that we believe it is possible to fall from grace after once receiving grace. Paul warns, "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Cor 10, 12. We should heed such examples to teach us humility, that we may not exalt ourselves with our gifts nor become slothful in our use of blessings received, but may reach forth to the things which are before, as Paul says in Philippians 3, 13. They teach us not to believe that we have apprehended everything.

270. Malignant and most bitter is our enemy, but we are feeble, bearing this great treasure in earthen vessels. 2 Cor 4, 7. Therefore, we must not glory as if we were secure, but seeing that men so holy fell from grace, which they had accepted and for a long time enjoyed, we should look anxiously to God as if in peril at this very moment. In this manner these examples are discussed to our profit; but those who give no attention to them and chase after complex high thoughts on an election according to the purpose of God, drive and thrust their souls into despair, to which they naturally incline.

VII.	ANIMALS AND FOOD IN THE ARK; NOAH'S OBEDIENCE.
	A.	THE ANIMALS NOAH TOOK INTO THE ARK.
		1.	The number and kinds of animals [271-272].
		2.	The differences in the animals [273].
			a.	What is understood by the "Behemoth" [274].
			b.	By the "Remes" [275].
			c.	Whether this difference is observed in all places [276].
		3.	Whether wild and ferocious animals were in paradise, and if created from the beginning [276-277].
		4.	How Noah could bring the animals, especially the wild ones, into the ark [278-279].
		*	The animals at the time felt danger was near [278-279].
		5.	The animals came of themselves to Noah in the ark [280].
	B.	THE FOOD NOAH TOOK INTO THE ARK.
		1.	Why necessary to take with them food [281].
		*	The kind of food man then had, and if he ate flesh [282].
		2.	God's foreknowledge shines forth here [283].
		3.	Why God did not maintain man and the animals in the ark by a miracle [284].
		*	The extraordinary ways and miracles of God.
			a.	Why man should not seek miracles, where ordinary ways and means are at hand [285].
			b.	The monks seek extraordinary ways and thus tempt God [286].
			*	Whether we should use medicine, and if we should learn the arts and languages [286].
			c.	Why God did not save Noah in the water without the ark, when he could have done so [287].
			d.	When does God use extraordinary means with man [288].
	C.	NOAH'S OBEDIENCE.
		1.	In what respect it was especially praised [289].
		*	Obedience to God.
			a.	How one is to keep the golden mean, and not turn to the right or left [290].
			b.	How man can by obedience or disobedience mark out his own course [290-291].
			c.	Why most people shun obedience [291].
			d.	How we are here not to look to the thing commanded, but to the person commanding [292-296].
			e.	How sadly they fail who look at the thing commanded [293].
			*	How the Papists neither understand nor keep God's commandments [294].
			*	What we are to think of the holiness of the Papists [295].
			f.	All God commands is good, even if it seems different to reason [296].
			*	How the Papists do harm by the works of their wisdom, and only provoke God to anger, as king Saul did [297].
			g.	How in his obedience Noah held simply to God's Word and overcame all difficulties [298].

VII. THE ANIMALS AND THEIR FOOD, AND NOAH'S OBEDIENCE.

A. THE ANIMALS NOAH TOOK INTO THE ARK.

Vs. 19-20. And every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of the birds after their kind, and of the cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.

271. Here again a dispute arises, as is the case when in historical narratives one proceeds to the application and incidental features. Our text appears to vindicate the view that here two and two are spoken of; but in the beginning of the seventh chapter seven and seven. Hence, Lyra quarrels with one Andrea, who believed fourteen specimens were included in the ark, because it is written: "Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee seven and seven." But I approve Lyra's interpretation, who says seven specimens of every class were inclosed in the ark, three male and three female, and the seventh also male, to be used by Noah for purposes of sacrifice.