John Calvin Commentary Genesis 8:15

"And God spake unto Noah, saying," — Genesis 8:15 (ASV)

And God spoke to Noah. Though Noah was greatly terrified by the judgment of God, yet his patience is commended in this respect: having the earth, which offered him a home, before his eyes, he still does not venture to go out. Profane men may ascribe this to timidity, or even to indolence; but holy is that timidity which is produced by the obedience of faith.

Let us therefore understand that Noah was restrained by a hallowed modesty from allowing himself to enjoy the bounty of nature until he should hear the voice of God directing him to do so. Moses relates this in a few words, but it is proper that we should attend to the matter itself.

All should indeed spontaneously consider how great the fortitude of the man must have been, who, after the incredible weariness of a whole year, when the deluge has ceased and new life has shone forth, still does not move a foot out of his sepulcher without the command of God.

Thus we see that, by a continual course of faith, the holy man was obedient to God; because at God’s command, he entered the ark and remained there until God opened the way for his exit, and because he chose rather to lie in a tainted atmosphere than to breathe the free air, until he should feel assured that his removal would be pleasing to God.

Even in small matters, Scripture commends this self-government to us: that we should attempt nothing except with an approving conscience. How much less is the rashness of men to be endured in religious matters, if, without taking counsel from God, they permit themselves to act as they please. It is not, indeed, to be expected that God will every moment pronounce by special oracles what must be done; yet we ought to listen attentively to his voice, so that we may be fully assured that we undertake nothing except what is in accordance with his word.

The spirit of prudence and counsel should also be sought, for God never leaves destitute of it those who are teachable and obedient to his commands. In this sense, Moses relates that Noah went out of the ark as soon as he, relying on the oracle of God, was aware that a new dwelling place on earth had been given to him.