Genesis 6:8-10 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.… If we endeavour to keep the familiar figure of walking with a person fully in mind, we shall see that the phrase implies — I. COMPANIONSHIP — constant and habitual; for as God is everywhere present and at all times, so the saint is never parted from Him. United once we are united forever by a companionship as constant as the omnipresence of God, and as long continued as the immortal life of man's soul. Let the expression be closely observed, together with the familiar ideas it suggests — walking with God. Not amid God's works, nor in God's presence; not with the saints of God, not in the ways of God, but actually with God, as if the Divine Being Himself had quitted His throne — as, indeed, He has done in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God — and, linking Himself with the creature He had redeemed, went forth in sweet and wonderful companionship with man, inseparable throughout all the trials and perplexing paths of human experience. II. The expression IMPLIES CONCURRENCE OF WILL. To walk together implies movement toward the same object, along the same road. Where two persons take different roads, companionship must cease. Yet we know that Noah was a fallen creature like ourselves. He lived after the curse of sin had fallen upon man; and we know it to be the essence of sin that man's will and God's will do not agree. In unfallen man, pure and holy as he came from his Creator's hand, there was perfect agreement with God. The two wills, the Divine and the human, were like two strains of music in sweet harmony with each other. But sin turned the harmony into discord. It is the very essence of the carnal nature that, in St. Paul's language, "it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." The will of man has become contrary to the will of God. One of the two must be subject to the other. That is most certain. Which is it to be? Is the will of the great, omnipotent, and holy Creator to be brought into conformity with all the wayward fancies, all the petty selfishnesses, and all the foolish imaginations of fallen man? God forbid! God's will can not be changed to suit man's. Then it remains that man's will must be changed to suit God's, and thus all the varying wishes of mankind be harmonized in one adoring submission to the Divine mind. This can be; this may be; if you will not drive the Holy Spirit away from you, this will be. III. The expression IMPLIES AFFECTIONATE AND DELIGHTFUL INTERCOURSE. Do you not choose as a companion one whom you love? and if your choice be well placed, and there be thorough sympathy between you and your friend, is not companionship delightful? Indeed, do you not walk with him, for the sake of being alone with the loved one and enjoying his society? (E. Garbett, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. |
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