And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Ver. 20. And Noah builded an altar to the Lord.] This was his first care; and so it was Abraham's wherever he came. It must be also ours, after great deliverances especially. God's mercies are binders: Beneficium postulat officium. He is content we have the comfort of his blessings, so he may have the praise of them. This peppercorn is all the rent he looks for. Oh, cover we God's altar "with the calves of our lips, giving thanks to his name". Heb 13:15 This will "please him better than an ox that hath horns and hoofs". Psa 69:31 Only let it be done, the first thing that we do, after the receipt of a benefit, which else will soon wax stale and putrify as fish. No part of the thank offering might be kept unspent to the third day. Hezekiah wrote his song the third day after his recovery. Noah was no sooner out of the ark, but he offered on his newly built altar; as well for testification of his thankfulness, as for confirmation of his faith in that Lamb of God, slain and sacrificed from the beginning of the world. "God was" now also "in Christ reconciling this" new "world to himself". 2Co 5:19