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The Door
And the LORD shut him in. Genesis 7:16b
If you have never done so, I would strongly encourage you to read through the entire Bible. It is likely no surprise to you that each time I read through scripture, I am sharpened and edified by the fresh fruit borne by these previously overlooked themes, people, and passages. An example of a passage that I had previously overlooked is the last phrase from Genesis 7:16, as quoted above. The context of this passage is the familiar story of Noah as he builds, fills, and sails (ok, floats) the wooden vessel on its maiden, and only, voyage.
Noah had received the direct commands and instructions from God as to how to build and populate the ark. He knew that the promised flood was a judgment on the depraved world. He and his family would represent the remnant of God’s faithful and restart the human race. But this was a long process. Recall that the ark was immense (approximately 500 ft. long, over half the length of the Titanic1 ), and was built by Noah over a period of many decades.2 Over these decades, Noah was obedient and “did all that God commanded him” (Gen. 6:22) as he carried out God’s will and, in the process, demonstrated significant faith in God’s promises.
Once the time came for the flood, the animals were loaded, Noah and his family entered, and then we get to our little phrase, “the LORD shut him in.” God himself sealed the ark with all inside, to be sealed in for more than a year before they would once again set foot on dry land. What can we glean from this little phrase?
We can speculate a bit on some very practical benefits of God shutting in Noah. First, it would be done properly to seal out water. The door built into the side of the ark would need to seal tightly against water intrusion for the ark to survive the months of floating and it would probably need to be sealed from the outside, not the inside only. With God sealing the ark, it was guaranteed to hold.
Additionally, consider those outside the ark. For decades they ignored the warnings of Noah and the prophecy of judgment. They watched the ark being built and went on with their lives “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (Mat. 24:38). The ark was then sealed, and it rained… and rained… for forty days. I find it likely that during these forty days, the rest condemned world would now take notice. Quite possibly those outside the ark would have attempted to gain access to the ark as their judgment was becoming more apparent. With God sealing the door, intrusion would have been impossible. Additionally, had Noah been able to freely open and close the door, he might even have been tempted to open the door out of compassion for the perishing.
Of course, as you might expect, there is a very clear spiritual connection we can make to God shutting in Noah. It was God’s timing and God’s action that drew the dividing line between those saved through faith and those to experience the terrible reality of judgment, apart from faith. Noah did not get to make the decision to admit more occupants, nor to exit back to the world, should he have desired to. God’s decision was final, and it was perfect; God perfectly preserved those chosen for salvation and judged those not.
The connection to the gospel is clear. God has called us to salvation through Jesus Christ, the open door, through which all must enter by faith. Once God chooses to shut that open 1 See, for example http://searchtheword.org.uk/2019/04/24/the-size-of-noahs-ark/ 2 https://answersingenesis.org/bible-timeline/how-long-did-it-take-for-noah-to-build-the-ark/ door of invitation, there can be no assault upon it that will make it yield. God’s decision is final, and it is perfect.
Spurgeon has a long sermon on this passage including a plethora of spiritual connections and applications. I leave you with an insight of his that turns into an urgent appeal.
Brethren, the Church of God stands at the present moment in the world very much in the same condition as Noah and his family. Still is the door of the ark wide open, and it is our business with all our might to persuade, constrain, compel men to come in. Not without success have our entreaties been; for many have entered the ark of salvation which is found in the person of our divine Lord Jesus. These make up with us the chosen family of God who shall be safe when the world is deluged with the last devouring fire. But the time cometh, it comes to each man in death, and it will come to the whole company of the ungodly in the day when the Lord Jesus shall descend from heaven with a shout, that the door shall be shut, and it shall be said, “Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” Character will become unchangeable; he that is unjust will be unjust still, and he that is filthy will be filthy still.
C.H.Spurgeon, Shut In or Shut Out (3)
May we also have this sense of urgency for those around us who are trapped in unbelief, knowing that the door is closing soon. For those “inside the ark,” hold fast to the promises of God that never fail and cry out the perishing with the gospel of Christ, for the door is still open for yet a little while.
Pastor Aaron
(3) https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/shut-in-or-shut-out
