Genesis Part 3 Bullets

Review

Adam sinned - God’s image tarnished - now just like God

Relationship with God in the garden was lost

- the Seed of the Woman, the New Adam will crush the head of Satan

the Woman’s pain and her conception will be multiplied. Adam will toil to work the cursed ground

Adam’s faith - renamed Eve, “the mother of all living” before she became a mother

In the last section we saw how sin entered the world, how the image of God was tarnished and how the relationship with God and man in the garden was lost. In the fall we witnessed the effort of Satan to reverse God’s created order and ultimately rule over God. God would not be defeated but instead cursed Satan to an ultimate doom at the hands of the Seed of the Woman, Eve. Adam and Eve’s sin did not come without a price and they both experienced just consequences that would be passed down through the human race. Lastly, we saw the faith of Adam in God’s promise by renaming his wife Eve - the Mother of all Living - before she even became a mother. However this situation changes in Genesis chapter 4 which is where we shall start.

3. Beginning on the Road to Redemption ()

A. Satan’s Plan: Murder the Seed ()

“1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell...

Adam knew Eve - she conceives their firstborn son - Cain

She believes that he is the Seed that was promised “I have gotten a man, the LORD”

Adam and Eve have a second son, Abel, who serves and worships God

God honors Abel for his worship, does not regard Cain

Satan

Cain does not worship God as his brother does and in turn doesn’t receive the favor that Abel got

8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth...16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”

Cain was to be the one to crush the head of Satan, but Cain crushes the head of his brother

God confronts Cain, Cain does not confess. God punishes Cain, Cain rebels against God

God punishes Cain, Cain rebels against God

It appears Satan’s scheme has won

Instead of crushing Satan, Cain is overcome with sin and crushes his brother, committing the first murder. And now it seems as if Satan has won. Adam and Eve only had two sons. The one who was destined to be the hero of God’s plan ended up being a cold blooded murderer. God confronts him and just like Adam, Cain does not confess. Then, when God punishes him by telling him that he will be a wanderer on the earth, he attempts to rebel against God and settle in Nod. God’s plans seem to be thwarted and the creatures that he created are living in open rebellion against him.

B. The Wicked Seed of Cain (4:17-24)

“17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah...23 Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 24 If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold.”

Cain’s offspring rebel against God too

Adam knew his wife, wrote the first love song

Lamech took two wives, sang about killing children

It really appears Satan has won - where is the offspring of the woman?

C. God's plan Continues ()

“25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.”

God provides hope - He cannot be defeated

God gave Eve another seed - Seth - “Appointed One”

Seth’s offspring called upon the name of the Lord

In the midst of this great darkness God provides hope that He can not be defeated and His plan will continue. Adam knew his wife again. Satan thought he could eliminate one line of the seed and corrupt the other thus ending God’s plan. But God just gave Eve another seed. His name was Seth which means Appointed One. God’s plan cannot be defeated. There is even more reason for hope at the end of this story. Seth has a son and his offspring, the offspring of the women are not like Cain’s offspring. They call upon the name of the Lord.

III. Generations of Adam:

Context and Overview

We just saw how the nature of sin began to manifest itself in Adam and Eve’s offspring. We began to see how Cain’s offspring is filled with rebellion and murder. This was contrasted with the line of Seth who began to call upon the name of the Lord. This contrast between the offspring of the seed and the offspring of the woman will come to a climax in this section that we are about to study. Satan will again attempt to thwart God’s plan, and God will again defeat Satan. Admittedly this section raises complex questions and is difficult to explain clearly. There are many differing views on the reasons for the long lives of the pre-flood generations, the identity of the Nephilim, and the passage which tells of God’s regret over man. I will attempt to give you my opinion which follows in the most conservative of viewpoints for each of these. If questions arise feel free to ask during or after the study. 

Structure and Main Point

The main point of this text is that God acts to both preserve and progress His plan in the midst of a wicked and rebellious world and prepare for the continuation of His pan.

Preservation and Progress of God’s line ()

Progress Report of Mankind ()

Exposition

1. Preservation and Progress of God’s line ()

A. Introduction ()

“This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created.”

Linear Genealogy with two interruptions: Enoch and Lamech

B. Linear Genealogy Progressing to Noah ()

“3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.”

Adam fathered Seth after his image

Doctrine of Original Sin.

As Paul says in , “12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—”

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. I

“12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—”21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. I

Enoch walked with God as Adam had once walked with God

Enoch was a prophet - impending judgment - Methuselah - “after his death, it comes”

28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son 29 and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” 30 Lamech lived after he fathered Noah 595 years and had other sons and daughters.

Lamech longs for relief from the curse

names his son Noah - “Rest”

2. Progress Report of Mankind ()

A. The Perversion ()

“When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.”

Satan’s plot: make a half fallen angel/half man super being

Result: really tall humans - nothing that out of the ordinary

God will end their existence in 120 years

After giving an overview of the geneology of Adam, Moses focuses in on a time period just before the flood. Here we see another attempt by Satan to destroy God’s promised seed. There are many differing arguments on who the sons of God are referring to but traditionally these are interpreted to be fallen angels at the bidding of Satan (for further reading see , ).This time he uses fallen angels (i.e. demons)  to forcefully take women on the earth to be their wives in order to produce a half angel/half man being. The result of this plot was not some superhuman but just a giant human, a nephilim. As Moses notes, they were on the earth in those days, and also afterward. In other words, Satan’s great scheme produced nothing out of the ordinary. There were giants in that time and there were giants after that time. However, God was greatly displeased and chose to end their existence after 120 years with his judgement of the earth. 

B. The Pain of God and His punishment of Man ()

“5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

God is grieved at man’s depravity

God declares his sovereign judgement on all man kind

God shows sovereign grace to Noah

God evaluates the earth and is grieved in His heart over the wickedness and evil that humans have committed and that Satan has instigated. The depravity of man is again on display here as every intention of man’s heart was exclusively evil. This depraved creature was not the man made in God’s image that he was supposed to be. God in no way regrets like we humans regret. He makes no mistakes and He is all knowing everything that will happen. But here we see that He was filled with great sadness at the sight of how depraved his crown of creation had become. Because of His infinite holiness and justice He must judge sin and here we see that is what He resolves to do so by blotting out man. Praise be to God that He chose to find favor in Noah. God will blot out all mankind but the man whom He has chosen so that His plan for redemption will continue. It will be through God’s work in Noah’s life that rest will come to the earth. 

IV. Generations of Noah:

Context, Structure and Main Point

God’s plan must continue but it can not coexist with the wickedness of the world in Noah’s time. The main point of this section is that God cleanses the world to set the stage for His plan to continue. This is seen in the following structure: 

Background ()

Preparations for Deliverance ()

Deliverance from the Destructive Flood ()

Continuation of God’s refining the chosen line ()

Completion of Noah’s life (9:28-29)

Exposition

1. Background ()

“9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence.12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” 

Noah is righteous and blameless - He walked with God

And God saw…the earth was corrupt

See here how Noah was described as a righteous and blameless man. Like Adam and Enoch before him, Noah walked with God. He had an individual relationship with God. In contrast, the world around him was corrupt and filled with all sorts of evil. Notice the parallel to . Before the fall, God saw and said it was good. Here, God saw and it was corrupt.  

2. Preparations for Deliverance ()

“13 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. 21 Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.”22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.”

God reveals Himself - His impending judgement

Commanded to build an ark - specific dimensions

Exercises dominion over each creature - just like Adam

s has been seen throughout the book of Genesis, God is in the act of revealing Himself and His will to His chosen people. God chose to speak to Noah and tell Him of His impending judgement. God looks upon the earth filled with the wickedness of man and decides to fill the earth with water so that it would be cleansed from the breath of life of the evil men of that generation. This term breath of life refers to the creation of Adam in order to highlight the sovereignty of God to create life and to end life per His just and holy will. Noah is commanded to build an ark with specific dimensions in order to have enough room to fit all the creatures that God would save as well as prevent the ark from flipping over while at sea. Notice the clear reference back to . Noah brought two of each kind of creature, male and female according to their kinds into the ark. Noah here is continuing on the line of the Seed of Adam and Eve.

3. Deliverance from the Destructive Flood ()

A. Final Preparation ()

“Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. 2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, 3 and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For in seven days I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground.”5 And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.” 

Noah is declared righteous by God

Noah acted by faith - “7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith..”

Noah was saved by grace through faith which then produces righteous obedience to God

d here instructs Moses to make final preparations. He tells him to take 7 additional pairs of clean animals and birds, some which will eventually be used for sacrifice and for food once they leave the ark. See here how Noah is declared again to be righteous by God and this was the basis for his salvation from God’s wrath. As the author of Hebrews points out, Noah’s righteousness come by faith, “7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. ().” This is clearly seen by the statement in verse 5 of , Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him. Here, in the very beginning of the Bible we see God’s plan of salvation by faith which then produces righteous obedience to God’s commands.

This is clearly seen by the statement in verse 5 of , Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him. Here, in the very beginning of the Bible we see God’s plan of salvation by faith which then produces righteous obedience to God’s commands.

B. The Flood Commences ()

“10 And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened. 12 And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights...15 They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. 16 And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the Lord shut him in.

The Flood comes

Noah and His family obey and enter the ark

God shuts the door

Imagine the scene. For years Noah had been building this ark. All those around him mocked the coming judgement of God. Then one day the rain begins to fall and the water began to rise. Now all those who mocked and doubted and continued in their sin are rushing to the ark but the door has been closed by God Himself. As the ark begins to lift off the ground there is pounding on the door and screams of fear. But the time for repentance had come and gone. The judgement of God had arrived. 

C. Flood Continues ()

“17 The flood continued forty days on the earth. The waters increased and bore up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18 The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the face of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered. 20 The waters prevailed above the mountains, covering them fifteen cubits deep. 21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth, birds, livestock, beasts, all swarming creatures that swarm on the earth, and all mankind. 22 Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died...”

Earth flooded for 40 days

The breath of life had been taken

he waters flooded the earth for 40 days straight. Imagine being in a hurricane like storm for 40 straight days. There was so much water that the highest mountain was covered by more than 23 feet of water. All the creatures who roamed the earth that were not in the ark had died. The breath of life had been snuffed out.

Demonstration of God’s sovereign authority over His creation

, “10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.”

, “10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.”

D. Flood Comes Down ()

“1 But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.”

God remembered Noah - God placed special thought and care upon Noah

Notice the phrase in verse 1, God remembered Noah. God wasn’t just too busy flooding the earth that He forgot about Noah. No, this language brings the idea of placing special thought and care upon a person. God had a special focus on Noah and He now moves from judging the world to re-establishing it with His servant.

 2 The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, 3 and the waters receded from the earth continually. At the end of 150 days the waters had abated, 4 and in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. 5 And the waters continued to abate until the tenth month; in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen.”

God sovereignly floods the world - God sovereignly dries it up

hroughout this account of the flood, Moses makes it clear that God was sovereignly in control of all things. This was not an out-of-control disaster. God made a wind to blow the waters away. God closed the fountains of the deep and He restrained the rain. The God of the Bible is in complete control over His creation. He has the power and the prerogative to do as He wills and this is made clear by Moses’ language in the story of the flood. 

E. Flood Ceases ()

“13 In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried from off the earth. And Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and behold, the face of the ground was dry. 14 In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth had dried out. 15 Then God said to Noah, 16 “Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. 17 Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh—birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth—that they may swarm on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.”

Noah on the ark for 370 days

Similarities to Gen 1

Day 2 - earth covered with water

Day 3 - waters separated from dry land

Day 5 - birds of the air fill the sky

Day 6 - animals, creeping things, man fill the earth

Dav

Moses details the age of Noah in his account of the flood so that the readers might truly understand the vast nature of God’s judgement. Noah and his family were on the ark for a total of 370 days. Finally after this long time the earth was dry and it was cleansed of the wickedness of the generations before. There are clear connections throughout the story of the flood back to the creation story. Just like day 2, the earth was covered with the water, and there was nothing but sky and sea. Similar to day 3 the waters were separated to form dry land. Similar to on day 5, the raven and the dove inhabit the sky. Lastly on day 6 all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and every living thing including man were created; and in the story of the flood all these were released from the ark.

F. Conclusion ()

“20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.”

Noah responds to God’s mercy and grace

Burnt offering - total dedication of one’s person and life to God

Noah responds to God’s command and God’s mercy by worshiping God for His deliverance with a sacrifice. One detail that we don’t like to think about is that when Noah got off the ark he would have likely seen evidences of God’s judgement everywhere. Think of the devastation that a flood or a hurricane leaves today. Noah knows that if it weren’t for God’s grace and revelation, he would have experienced this judgement too and this drives Noah’s heart to awe filled worship. It is important to note that this was the first recorded animal sacrifice by a human to God. Also, see that Moses uses the relational name of God - Noah built an altar to YHWH. Lastly, see that this sacrifice was a burnt offering. As we will learn in Leviticus, the burnt offering signifying a complete dedication of one’s whole person and whole life to God.

“21 And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. 22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

God restrains the curse on the ground - creates the seasons

Lamech’s prayers are answered - man had relief of the curse

Filled with love in His heart for Noah, God restrains the curse on the ground that was Adam’s consequence in the garden. Prior to the flood there was only curse, hardship and toil. But God decides to institute seasons and order to the land. There is now stability with nature which allows for planned farming. This is something that we take for granted. Prior to the flood, the weather and the seasons were irregular. For us, we live in a world where this is restrained and we enjoy the fruits and blessing of the seasons. What Noah’s father, Lamech, had prayed for was now true. God brought the world to a semblance of rest through the faithfulness of Noah.

G. Blessing ()

“1 And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. 2 The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. 3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. 4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.5 And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. 6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. 7 And you, be fruitful and multiply, increase greatly on the earth and multiply in it.” 

God repeats His blessing that He gave to Adam - Be fruitful and multiply

God starts creation over again with a second Adam

Just as God did with Adam at creation, God blesses Noah and then his sons with a charge to be fruitful and multiply. These allusions to the creation story were written to demonstrate that God’s plan in the Garden was not lost. God had not judged the whole world without first protecting His purpose of redemption. Just as in creation, Noah was given authority over the beasts of creation. Now after the flood, there was a fear of man that was placed in animals. This fear coupled with the stability of the seasons mentioned in the last section would have provided some much needed rest for Noah and his sons as they set out to work the ground and repopulate the earth. 

H. Covenant ()

8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

God makes a covenant with Noah, his offspring and every living creature

Promises to never destroy the earth with a flood

Sign of the Rainbow: God puts His weapon away

Unilateral Covenant for all time

The story of the flood ends with the first Covenant in the Bible. God makes a covenant not just with Noah and his offspring but with every living creature. He promises to never again destroy the earth with a flood. Just as a warrior would hang his weapon above the fireplace in his home after battle, God hangs his bow in the sky as a sign of His faithfulness to uphold this covenant. It is key to know that this is a unilateral covenant which means that there are no conditions that man or beast must meet to maintain this covenant. God acts on His own to maintain this promise. He is bound by His own faithfulness and truth to fulfill this covenant for all time.

4. Continuation of God’s refining the chosen line ()

A. Foundational Family (9:18-19)

“18 The sons of Noah who went forth from the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the people of the whole earth were dispersed.” 

Noah’s sons are listed: Shem, Ham and Japeth

Noah appears to be the New Adam, the Seed of

God walked with Noah

As we move past the flood the attention of the story turns to Noah’s sons. Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.  From these sons came all men who would populate the whole earth. If this was your first reading of this book, it would appear to you that Noah is the one, the seed of . There have been so many allusions to the creation story and so many allusions to Adam that this conclusion is warranted. However, as we will see in the next verses, Noah is the first in a long line of godly individuals who could potentially be the prophesied Seed but because of their sinful nature it becomes evident that they aren’t the one.

Noah was righteous and obedient to God’s commands

Allusions to creation story

God brings rest and restrains the curse through Noah

As we move past the flood the attention of the story turns to Noah’s sons. Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.  From these sons came all men who would populate the whole earth. If this was your first reading of this book, it would appear to you that Noah is the one, the seed of . There have been so many allusions to the creation story and so many allusions to Adam that this conclusion is warranted. However, as we will see in the next verses, Noah is the first in a long line of godly individuals who could potentially be the prophesied Seed but because of their sinful nature it becomes evident that they aren’t the one.

B. Noah’s Farming and Folly (9:20-21)

“20 Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent.” 

Noah was a man of the soil - fruitful labor because curse was restrained

Noah becomes drunk and exposed - Adam’s sinful nature lives on

Notice here how God’s  restraint of the curse on the land is evident in that Noah just plants a vineyard and it bears fruit. Unlike Cain and all the other descendants of Adam who were workers of the ground, Noah was a man of the soil. The distinction becomes clear when we see that Noah’s work was immediately fruitful and that he enjoyed the fruits of his labor. Sadly, Noah’s enjoyment was tarnished by his sinful act of depravity. The flood may have washed the world of depraved and rebellious people, but the sin nature of Adam continued on.

Noah isn’t the Seed

C. Ham’s Folly but Shem and Japheth's Wisdom (9:22-23)

“22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness.”

Ham brought dishonor on Noah - attempted to share this with his brothers

Shem and Japheth respect and honor their father

E. Noah’s Prophetic Proclamation (9:24-27)

E. Noah’s Prophetic Proclamation (9:24-27)

“24 When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said, “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” 26 He also said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant. 27 May God enlarge Japheth and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant. “28 After the flood Noah lived 350 years. 29 All the days of Noah were 950 years, and he died.” 

From being filled with wine to being filled with the Spirit

Ham sinned as a son, his son will be cursed

Ham’s son Canaan will be ruled by the descendents of Shem and Japheth

After he awakes Noah gives a prophecy of the future of his descendents. He went from being filled with wine to being filled with the Spirit.  Because of hsin, Ham and his descendants would be the servants of his brothers and their descendents. He sinned as a son, and so his son will be cursed. Moreover, Ham’s sin sets the course of future nations. Canaan is both the son of Ham and the future father of the people group the Canaanites who will eventually be conquered by tJoseph and the Israelites - the descendents of Shem. The cursed offspring of the serpent of Genesis 3 has been identified which then sets up for the next section of Scripture where we will see God’s plan for all the nations who will come from Noah’s three sons. 

Questions for Application

What do we learn about God’s character and nature from His actions in this section of scripture? 

What can we learn about the nature of God’s judgement from the story of the Flood? 

What can we learn about the nature of God’s judgement from the story of the Flood? 

The story of the flood is usually taught as a sweet story of Noah in a boat with a bunch of animals ending in happiness and rainbows. What is lost when this section in scripture is taught like this? 

The story of the flood is usually taught as a sweet story of Noah in a boat with a bunch of animals ending in happiness and rainbows. What is lost when this section in scripture is taught like this?