Chapter XXI.
Why did Noah wait for the command to come out of the ark? How is the order in which he entered and exited with his family described, indicating abstinence from procreation and the use of the same? Finally, what does that order teach us in terms of spiritual understanding?
And the Lord God said to Noah: Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons (Gen. VIII, 16). So when the water receded and the earth dried, Noah was able to leave the ark. But the righteous does not arrogate anything to himself, but entrusts himself entirely to divine command. And especially one who has received the heavenly oracle should have awaited a heavenly response to go out. For modesty is truly just; for immodest wickedness unjustly seizes what is not due and does not respect its author.
76. Now let us inquire by what order they entered into the ark, how long they remained there, and in what order they went out; how in the first instance Noah entered, and after him his sons; then his wife, and the wives of his sons; and when they went out, in what order they went forth. For it is written: 'Noah went forth, and his wife, and his sons, and the wives of his sons' (Genesis 8:18). And the letter indeed signifies, in the entrance, the abstinence from generation, and in the going out, the use of generation. For at that time the father entered first with his sons, and the sons with their parent, and afterwards his wife, and the wives of his sons; that is, the sexes were not mixed in entering, but were mixed in leaving. Therefore, as if in the very order of entering, he emits a certain voice, declaring that that time is not for intercourse or pleasures, which would bring destruction upon all. Moreover, in the Gospel, the Lord says (Luke 17:26-27), reproving that in the times of Noah they ate and drank, married wives, and they gave in marriage their daughters; and because of their intemperance, the flood came upon them. Therefore, that time was of mourning, not of joy. And hence, the righteous did not take delight in the companionship of their wife, nor did righteous sons desire the bond of marriage. For how indecent it would be for those who were about to die in the same time as those who were about to be born! But later, the proper practice and care for marriage followed after the flood subsided. So it was not men with men, but women with men who came forth; so that the mixing of masculine with masculine was forbidden, but the lawful union of masculine and feminine seemed permitted.
77. However, this higher sense has the characteristic that, when there is danger, certain masculine and stronger arguments cling to the mind, and the mind protects itself like a guardian of its offspring, so that in storms and more serious passions there is a certain masculine keenness. But once the danger is past, it is not a disadvantage if softer thoughts are connected with stronger ones; not so that the stronger are weakened by the softer, but so that the softer senses are fortified, as it were, by certain masculine qualities, since all our plans are directed towards virtue, justice, integrity, and fortitude, and stronger plans can be created and nurtured by a certain use and training ground of virtues. Therefore, it is not useful, when there is any confusion of vices that occupies the mind, to sow any thoughts, and to generate and give birth to the mind. But when the desires have been restrained, and the mind has rested, then, receiving a certain seedbed of discussion, virtues can sprout and good deeds can be done.