And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Genesis 6, a pivotal chapter in the book of beginnings, marks a dramatic shift from the creation narrative to a story of increasing wickedness and divine judgment. After tracing the lineage from Adam through Seth to Noah in the previous chapter, Genesis 6 unveils the depths of human depravity and God's painful decision to cleanse the earth through a catastrophic flood. Yet, amidst this impending doom, a beacon of hope shines through Noah, a righteous man chosen to preserve life and usher in a new beginning. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of unchecked sin and the enduring grace of God.
The Spreading Stain of Sin (Genesis 6:1-7)
The opening verses of Genesis 6 introduce a troubling development: the "sons of God" taking human wives. This enigmatic phrase has sparked countless interpretations. Some suggest these were powerful men, perhaps descendants of Seth, intermarrying with the ungodly line of Cain. Others propose they were angelic beings who defied their created order. Regardless of their exact identity, the result of these unions was a generation of powerful and influential individuals, the "Nephilim" (Genesis 6:4), whose presence seems to have exacerbated the moral decay of society. Tony Evans highlights that the Nephilim were demonized men, whose sexual intimacy with women led to a demonized society.
The text emphasizes the pervasive nature of sin. God observes that "every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time" (Genesis 6:5). This is a far cry from the "very good" creation described in Genesis 1:31. Sin, like a relentless cancer, has metastasized, consuming the hearts and minds of humanity. This comprehensive corruption deeply grieves God. The Bible uses the word "regret" (Genesis 6:6), but it is crucial to understand this in the context of God's character. It is not a regret born of error, but a profound sorrow over the self-inflicted wounds of His creation. Like a loving parent who must discipline a wayward child, God experiences anguish at the state of humanity but remains resolute in His righteous judgment. This is a crucial point; God’s grief doesn’t imply guilt or doubt about His creation, but rather expresses His sorrow at witnessing the wickedness and violence that had engulfed the world.
God's response is decisive. He declares His intention to wipe out humanity, along with all land-dwelling creatures (Genesis 6:7). This drastic measure underscores the severity of sin and its destructive consequences. God, in His holiness and justice, cannot tolerate unchecked wickedness. He sets a limit, decreeing that humanity's days will be 120 years (Genesis 6:3). This could be interpreted as a reduction in lifespan or a period of grace before judgment falls. Either way, it signifies God's sovereign control and His determination to address the problem of sin.
Noah Finds Grace (Genesis 6:8-10)
In the midst of this overwhelming darkness, a single ray of light appears: "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8). Noah stands apart from his generation. He is described as "a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God" (Genesis 6:9). This threefold description highlights Noah's integrity, moral purity, and intimate relationship with God. He is a man who chooses to live in obedience and fellowship with his Creator, even in a world consumed by wickedness.
Noah's example provides a powerful encouragement to believers in every generation. Like Noah, we are called to be exceptions in a world often characterized by sin and compromise. We are to walk with God, pursuing righteousness and seeking to live according to His will. Noah's righteousness wasn't about perfection, but about a heart oriented toward God and a life lived in obedience to Him.
The Ark: A Plan of Salvation (Genesis 6:11-22)
God reveals His plan to Noah: He will bring a flood to destroy all life on earth (Genesis 6:13, 17). However, God's judgment is not the final word. He provides a way of escape, a means of salvation: the ark. God instructs Noah to build a massive vessel, providing detailed specifications for its construction (Genesis 6:14-16). This ark is not just a boat; it is a symbol of God's grace and a testament to Noah's faith.
The ark is designed to preserve life. Noah is commanded to bring into the ark pairs of all living creatures (Genesis 6:19). Tony Evans notes that God made a distinction between clean and unclean animals, instructing Noah to bring seven pairs of clean animals (Genesis 7:2-3), intended for food and sacrifice. This detail foreshadows the sacrificial system that would later be established in the Mosaic Law.
The chapter concludes with a powerful statement: "Noah did everything just as God commanded him" (Genesis 6:22). Noah's obedience is a striking contrast to the rebellion and wickedness of his contemporaries. His unwavering faith and obedience are the keys to his salvation and the preservation of life on earth. Noah's story provides a powerful example of how obedience in the midst of evil should be the supreme goal and desire of God’s people.
The story of Noah and the ark is more than just a historical account. It is a powerful foreshadowing of the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Just as the ark provided refuge from the flood, so too does Christ offer refuge from the judgment to come. Through faith in Him, we can find forgiveness for our sins and experience new life. Genesis 6 reminds us of the consequences of sin, the importance of righteousness, and the enduring grace of God, who always provides a way of salvation.
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
Genesis 6, a pivotal chapter in the book of beginnings, marks a dramatic shift from the creation narrative to a story of increasing wickedness and divine judgment. After tracing the lineage from Adam through Seth to Noah in the previous chapter, Genesis 6 unveils the depths of human depravity and God's painful decision to cleanse the earth through a catastrophic flood. Yet, amidst this impending doom, a beacon of hope shines through Noah, a righteous man chosen to preserve life and usher in a new beginning. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of unchecked sin and the enduring grace of God.
The Spreading Stain of Sin (Genesis 6:1-7)
The opening verses of Genesis 6 introduce a troubling development: the "sons of God" taking human wives. This enigmatic phrase has sparked countless interpretations. Some suggest these were powerful men, perhaps descendants of Seth, intermarrying with the ungodly line of Cain. Others propose they were angelic beings who defied their created order. Regardless of their exact identity, the result of these unions was a generation of powerful and influential individuals, the "Nephilim" (Genesis 6:4), whose presence seems to have exacerbated the moral decay of society. Tony Evans highlights that the Nephilim were demonized men, whose sexual intimacy with women led to a demonized society.
The text emphasizes the pervasive nature of sin. God observes that "every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time" (Genesis 6:5). This is a far cry from the "very good" creation described in Genesis 1:31. Sin, like a relentless cancer, has metastasized, consuming the hearts and minds of humanity. This comprehensive corruption deeply grieves God. The Bible uses the word "regret" (Genesis 6:6), but it is crucial to understand this in the context of God's character. It is not a regret born of error, but a profound sorrow over the self-inflicted wounds of His creation. Like a loving parent who must discipline a wayward child, God experiences anguish at the state of humanity but remains resolute in His righteous judgment. This is a crucial point; God’s grief doesn’t imply guilt or doubt about His creation, but rather expresses His sorrow at witnessing the wickedness and violence that had engulfed the world.
God's response is decisive. He declares His intention to wipe out humanity, along with all land-dwelling creatures (Genesis 6:7). This drastic measure underscores the severity of sin and its destructive consequences. God, in His holiness and justice, cannot tolerate unchecked wickedness. He sets a limit, decreeing that humanity's days will be 120 years (Genesis 6:3). This could be interpreted as a reduction in lifespan or a period of grace before judgment falls. Either way, it signifies God's sovereign control and His determination to address the problem of sin.
Noah Finds Grace (Genesis 6:8-10)
In the midst of this overwhelming darkness, a single ray of light appears: "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8). Noah stands apart from his generation. He is described as "a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God" (Genesis 6:9). This threefold description highlights Noah's integrity, moral purity, and intimate relationship with God. He is a man who chooses to live in obedience and fellowship with his Creator, even in a world consumed by wickedness.
Noah's example provides a powerful encouragement to believers in every generation. Like Noah, we are called to be exceptions in a world often characterized by sin and compromise. We are to walk with God, pursuing righteousness and seeking to live according to His will. Noah's righteousness wasn't about perfection, but about a heart oriented toward God and a life lived in obedience to Him.
The Ark: A Plan of Salvation (Genesis 6:11-22)
God reveals His plan to Noah: He will bring a flood to destroy all life on earth (Genesis 6:13, 17). However, God's judgment is not the final word. He provides a way of escape, a means of salvation: the ark. God instructs Noah to build a massive vessel, providing detailed specifications for its construction (Genesis 6:14-16). This ark is not just a boat; it is a symbol of God's grace and a testament to Noah's faith.
The ark is designed to preserve life. Noah is commanded to bring into the ark pairs of all living creatures (Genesis 6:19). Tony Evans notes that God made a distinction between clean and unclean animals, instructing Noah to bring seven pairs of clean animals (Genesis 7:2-3), intended for food and sacrifice. This detail foreshadows the sacrificial system that would later be established in the Mosaic Law.
The chapter concludes with a powerful statement: "Noah did everything just as God commanded him" (Genesis 6:22). Noah's obedience is a striking contrast to the rebellion and wickedness of his contemporaries. His unwavering faith and obedience are the keys to his salvation and the preservation of life on earth. Noah's story provides a powerful example of how obedience in the midst of evil should be the supreme goal and desire of God’s people.
The story of Noah and the ark is more than just a historical account. It is a powerful foreshadowing of the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Just as the ark provided refuge from the flood, so too does Christ offer refuge from the judgment to come. Through faith in Him, we can find forgiveness for our sins and experience new life. Genesis 6 reminds us of the consequences of sin, the importance of righteousness, and the enduring grace of God, who always provides a way of salvation.