Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 7:21-24

"And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both birds, and cattle, and beasts, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, of all that was on the dry land, died. And every living thing was destroyed that was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and creeping things, and birds of the heavens; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only was left, and they that were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days." — Genesis 7:21-24 (ASV)

All the men, women, and children who were in the world, except those in the ark, died. We may easily imagine what terror seized them. Our Savior tells us that until the very day that the flood came, they were eating and drinking (Luke 17:26, 27); they were deaf and blind to all divine warnings. In this condition, death surprised them.

They were convinced of their folly when it was too late. We may suppose they tried all ways and means possible to save themselves, but all in vain. And those who are not found in Christ, the Ark, are certainly undone, undone forever. Let us pause and consider this tremendous judgment!

Who can stand before the Lord when he is angry? The sin of sinners will be their ruin, first or last, if not repented of. The righteous God knows how to bring ruin upon the world of the ungodly (2 Peter 2:5). How tremendous will be the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men! Happy are those who are part of Christ's family and safe with him as such; they may look forward without dismay and rejoice that they will triumph when fire will burn up the earth and all that is in it.

We are apt to suppose some favorable distinctions in our own case or character; but if we neglect, refuse, or abuse the salvation of Christ, we will, despite such fancied advantages, be destroyed in the common ruin of an unbelieving world.