Genesis 6:1-22

We’re picking up where we left off in Genesis. The first 5 chapters detailed the creation of the universe, the creation of mankind, the Fall of mankind, and the spiral of mankind into sin and depravity. But we also saw a glimmer of hope, a light found in the lineage of Seth, the third son of Adam. His line produced Noah.

Gen. 6:1-8

The genealogy seen in Genesis 5 ends with Noah being 500 years old and having 3 sons - Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Seth’s line was not the only one to populate the earth. Cain’s genealogy is listed in Genesis 4, and both technology and depravity are seen to come from it.

Verses 1-2 tells us that as Adam’s children began to have daughters, and the “sons of God” saw them. This is an often-contested section where opinions abound, particularly because there isn’t enough information in Scripture to answer the many questions posed here.

The oldest, and most plausible, interpretation is that they are angels who came down and “married” human women (Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4-5). The phrase is also used in Job 1:6, 2:1, and 38:7 to describe angels.

Interesting note: the same writing of Enoch that Jude quotes from talks about the fall of angels.

Verse 4 seems to perpetuate this view, identifying the Nephilim as children of this union, “mighty men” of renown. The word is often translated giant, though it is rightly translated bully or tyrant. The Nephilim were in fact giants, as seen in Num. 13:33 and Deut. 9:2.

Verse 3 is also debated, but it is best understood to recognize that God allowed for what was taking place at this time to continue for 120 years (1 Pet. 3:20), not the limit of man’s age (e.g., Abraham).

This was due to God being “grieved” in His heart for the sin of the whole world.

The depravity of Man was so widespread that none found favor in the eyes of God besides Noah.

Interesting thought: God foresaw and knew all that would take place, and still continued to allow it to happen. Yet, He interacts within man’s scope of understanding and “regrets” making mankind.

Gen. 6:9-12

God was going to wipe out all of mankind and their wickedness, including the Nephilim who were from the union of angels and women. The angels themselves await judgment in a different way mentioned earlier.

Description of mankind: Gen. 6:5-6, 11-12.

Wickedness, evil thoughts and intentions, violent, corrupt.

CHRONOLOGY CHART

Noah was a righteous man, and he walked with God just as his great-grandfather Enoch did.

Noah had 3 sons, whom as we’ll see were married but had no children yet. Like Noah, they were considered worthy to be saved, even if only for the sake of their father and fulfilling God’s purpose to repopulate the earth.

There is a continued line of righteousness that runs from Seth to Noah (Gen. 4:26). They were blameless even though they were surrounded by corruption - Eze. 14:12-14.

We need to live by faith like Noah did - Heb. 11:7. Noah was not perfect (as will be seen later), but his righteousness and faith were recognized.

Now God will judge the unrighteous.

Gen. 6:13-22

God warns Noah of what is coming, and commissions him to build the ark.

God gives Noah specific instructions because, as far as the written record is concerned, this is the first boat ever built.

ARK SLIDE

Surprisingly enough, this would have been an ideal seaworthy vessel for its purpose: a cargo container ship.

God makes a covenant with Noah, that He will spare him and his family, and they will care for the animals.

Remember this is God’s story with humanity. God’s plan all along was to accomplish the redemption of man through the sending His Son, Jesus Christ. The saving of Noah and his family are a foreshadowing of true salvation.

God commanded Noah to bring aboard 2 of every kind of land animal and bird, as well as food.

There were no carnivores at this time. Meat-eating only takes place after the flood (as we’ll see in ch. 9).

As we’ll see, there would have to be enough food to last for about 1 year.

Noah was faithful to do what he was commanded.

APPLICATION

We need to live by faith in spite of what is happening in the world around us.

We have biblical examples of men who walked with God, and can imitate them, just as we can imitate the Apostles and Jesus Himself.