Genesis 6

Genesis 6:1-22

Genesis 6:1-22; Genesis 7:1-24; Genesis 8:1-22IV. The Development of Sin in the Race-The Penalty of Sin (Genesis 6:1-22; Genesis 7:1-24; Genesis 8:1-22) If Genesis 4:1-26; Genesis 5:1-32 show the development and results of sin in the family life, then Genesis 6:1-22; Genesis 7:1-24; Genesis 8:1-22 give us the results in the experience of the race. Genesis 6:1-22 presents an awful picture of the guilt of the race, its lewdness and moral depravity. The intermarriage of the Cainites and Sethites is doubtless accountable for it. By the “ sons of God” here the writer believes the Sethites are meant, and by the “ daughters of men” the descendents of Cain-the godly, and ungodly seed. The awful moral decay here described resulted from believers and unbelievers being unequally yoked together (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). The giants spoken of here may refer as much to character as to stature. What is indicated is that might, not right, ruled in those days; that men were noted for their mighty deeds and achievements rather than for their godly character. Amid this universal wickedness there is one exception-Enoch, who walked with God. So it is possible to stand alone, even in a godless world. The evil condition of the race brought sorrow to the heart of God. He repented that He had made man. By “ repent” we are to understand, not that God changed His mind, but His purpose and dealings only, with reference to the race. There was only one thing to do and that was to wipe out the race and make a new beginning in Noah, which He did (Genesis 6:5-10).

Genesis 6:13-22

Genesis 6:13-22; Genesis 7:1-24; Genesis 8:1-19 The Flood (Genesis 6:13-22; Genesis 7:1-24; Genesis 8:1-19) The flood was a manifestation of mercy as well as of judgment. What other alternative could a holy God have? The Scriptural account of the flood is corroborated by the tradition of all nations. Geology also corroborates it. Yet the story is to be considered from the religious rather than from the scientific point of view. By the “ whole earth” we are to understand the earth “ that then was,” by which is meant that part of the earth which was occupied by the race. The enormous size of the ark need cause no concern. Men used to laugh at its tremendous size as being unwieldy. There are steamships today which exceed the ark in dimensions, and yet they are manipulated with ease. There is no discrepancy between the command of God to Noah to take two animals of each kind, and the command, given probably a hundred years later, to take seven of each kind, into the ark. Doubtless the “ two’ s” were for future increase, and the “ seven’ s,” being clean beasts, were for sacrifice. The New Testament makes use of the flood in the following ways: To show the completeness of God’ s work, that He will have holiness at any cost (cf. 2 Peter 3:4-16); that there is a Judge over the earth who is not too good to punish sin; that God will remember His covenant promise (cf. bow in the clouds, Genesis 9:11-17); that the earth will someday be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:4-16). Other references to the flood in the Bible: Job 22:15-16; Psalms 90:5; Matthew 24:38-39; Luke 17:26-27; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5; 2 Peter 3:4-7.