12 God looked on the earth , and behold , it was corrupt ; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth .
13 Then God said to Noah , " The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because e of them; and behold , I am about to destroy them with the earth . 14 "Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood ; you shall make the ark with rooms , and shall cover it inside e and out with pitch . 15 "This is how you shall make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits , its breadth fifty cubits , and its height thirty cubits . 16 "You shall make a window for the ark , and finish it to a cubit from the top ; and set the door of the ark in the side of it; you shall make it with lower , second , and third decks. 17 "Behold , I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth , to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life , from under heaven ; everything that is on the earth shall perish . 18 "But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark -you and your sons and your wife , and your sons' wives with you. 19 " And of every living thing of all flesh , you shall bring two of every kind into the ark , to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female . 20 " Of the birds after their kind , and of the animals after their kind , of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind , two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive . 21 "As for you, take for yourself some of all food which is edible , and gather it to yourself; and it shall be for food for you and for them."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 6:12-21
Commentary on Genesis 6:12-21
(Read Genesis 6:12-21)
God told Noah his purpose to destroy the wicked world by water. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, Psalm 25:14. It is with all believers, enabling them to understand and apply the declarations and warnings of the written word. God chose to do it by a flood of waters, which should drown the world. As he chooses the rod with which he corrects his children, so he chooses the sword with which he cuts off his enemies. God established his covenant with Noah. This is the first place in the Bible where the word 'covenant' is found; it seems to mean, 1. The covenant of providence; that the course of nature shall be continued to the end of time. 2. The covenant of grace; that God would be a God to Noah, and that out of his seed God would take to himself a people. God directed Noah to make an ark. This ark was like the hulk of a ship, fitted to float upon the waters. It was very large, half the size of St. Paul's cathedral, and would hold more than eighteen of the largest ships now used. God could have secured Noah without putting him to any care, or pains, or trouble; but employed him in making that which was to be the means to preserve him, for the trial of his faith and obedience. Both the providence of God, and the grace of God, own and crown the obedient and diligent. God gave Noah particular orders how to make the ark, which could not therefore but be well fitted for the purpose. God promised Noah that he and his family should be kept alive in the ark. What we do in obedience to God, we and our families are likely to have the benefit of. The piety of parents gets their children good in this life, and furthers them in the way to eternal life, if they improve it.