Genesis 6 p1 –
Adam and Eve had many children (see 5:4), and after many centuries their descendants were numerous (see 6:1). Most of them resembled the heirs of Cain, but one godly line, the family of Seth, remained a spark of hope in the gathering darkness. From Adam to Lamech onward (see 4:1-24) man’s plunge into corruption accelerated, until at last the degeneration reached a crisis (see 6:1-8). To see what God did about this crisis.
Read 6:1–7.
**Note on narratives**
“All narratives are selective and incomplete. Not all the relevant details are always given (see John 21:25). What does appear in the narrative is everything that the inspired author thought important for us to know.” 5. “Narratives are not written to answer all our theological questions. They have particular, specific, limited purposes and deal with certain issues, leaving others to be dealt with elsewhere, in other ways.”
Sons of God (6:2). Some commentators think these are fallen angels, sent by Satan to corrupt the human race and prevent the birth of the Savior. Others think the sons of God are the sons of Seth as opposed to those of Cain. Derek Kidner concludes that Scripture doesn’t give us enough information to identify the sons of God for certain, and that the point of 6:1-8 is the same whoever the sons of God are.
My Spirit . . . years (6:3). The Hebrew here is obscure. God is announcing either (a) “the period of grace between God’s declaration of judgment and its arrival would be 120 years” or (b) “man’s life span would henceforth be limited to 120 years (but see 11:10-26).”[5]
Nephilim (6:4). Another cryptic word. It may mean “giants” as KJV translates it.[6] Or, it may mean “fallen ones.”[7] The Nephilim seem to be the offspring of the sons of God and the daughters of men.
Numbers 13:33. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
For Thought and Discussion: a. When Paul says in Romans 3:23 that all people fall short of God’s glory, does Paul mean that we are 70 or 80 percent good but not good enough?
Read Genesis 6:5 and 8:21
What are some reasons that might lead a person to disagree with Genesis 6:5? Other than simply asserting the authority of Scripture, how would you try to unconvince someone who thinks people are essentially good?
For Thought and Discussion: Explain Genesis 6:6 in light of 1 Samuel 15:28-29,35. What does 6:6 reveal about God?
28. Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you.
29. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”
35. Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
That is a lot of discussion before we really even start with the typical story of Noah.
1. Many of the details of Genesis 6:1-7 are obscure. Still, what is the clear main point of the passage?
Read 6:8–12.
Favor (6:8). Or, “grace.”[8] There is no indication that Noah earned God’s favor.
Righteous (6:9). “Just” in KJV. This word includes a right relationship of humility and obedience toward God, as well as the just, upright actions that follow from that relationship. Hebrews 11:7 asserts that Noah was accounted righteous because of his faith in God.
Blameless (6:9). “Perfect” in KJV. God regarded Noah as righteous. Likewise, Noah’s neighbors considered him ethically blameless. He wasn’t sinless, but his contemporaries found no fault with his actions because he took morality seriously.
2. Because of God’s favor, Noah became righteous and blameless even in the midst of a depraved generation.
a. How are Christians able to act righteously and blamelessly (see Philippians 1:9-11; 2:12-15)?
9. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
10. so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11. filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
12. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
13. for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14. Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
15. so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
b. Describe one opportunity you have to act righteously in the midst of your generation.
Genesis (LifeChange Book 16). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
Genesis (LifeGuide Bible Studies) Hummel/Hummel God’s Creative Call
The Gospel Project – https://www.gospelproject.com