Chapter Commentary from MHCC:
In the close of the foregoing chapter we left the world in ruins and the church in straits; but in this chapter we have the repair of the one and the enlargement of the other. Now the scene alters, and another face of things begins to be presented to us, and the brighter side of that cloud which there appeared so black and dark; for, though God contend long, he will not contend for ever, nor be always wrath. We have here, I. The earth made anew, by the recess of the waters, and the appearing of the dry land, now a second time, and both gradual. 1. The increase of the waters is stayed (v. 1, 2). 2. They begin sensibly to abate (v. 3). 3. After sixteen days’ ebbing, the ark rests (v. 4). 4. After sixty days’ ebbing, the tops of the mountains appeared above water (v. 5). 5. After forty days’ ebbing, and twenty days before the mountains appeared, Noah began to send out his spies, a raven and a dove, to gain intelligence (v. 6-12). 6. Two months after the appearing of the tops of the mountains, the waters had gone, and the face of the earth was dry (v. 13), though not dried so as to be fit for man till almost two months after (v. 14). II. Man placed anew upon the earth, in which, 1. Noah’s discharge and departure out of the ark (v. 15-19). 2. His sacrifice of praise, which he offered to God upon his enlargement (v. 20). 3. God’s acceptance of his sacrifice, and the promise he made thereupon not to drown the world again (v. 21, 22). And thus, at length, mercy rejoices against judgment.
Interestingly my wife and I were just discussing the Noahic Covenant, Genesis 9:8-17, which technically begins here in Chapter 8:21-22 with God promising Himself never to destroy every living thing again. Our discussion focused on one specific part of this covenant what is meant here in our main text by “While the earth remains”?
How can we reconcile the earth remaining (Ecclesiastes 1:4) with what the Bible says about a New Earth in Revelation 21-22? Chapter 21 verse one begins with John describing …a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;…
I have noted many times that I am not (nor want to be) an expert on the book of revelation or “end times.” However, for me, a basic understanding of the Noahic covenant is not advanced theology. As believers, we should understand God’s promise never to destroy (all living creatures) on the earth in another flood, while acknowledging someday the earth as we know it will “pass away.” God will remake the universe, “new heavens and earth” with His saints in their glorified bodies. What is more essential than discussing the nuances of the Book of Revelation, is for all True Believers, to live our worthy of this honor.
MHCC excerpt from Rev 21:1-8 The new heaven and the new earth will not be separate from each other; the earth of the saints, their glorified, bodies, will be heavenly. The old world, with all its troubles and tumults, will have passed away...
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