Genesis 6 p2 –
Last week we learned that ever since Adam and Eve were created, and sin entered the world, the decline of humanity was constant. People were getting further and further away from God.
Genesis 6:5 says the Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race have become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.
Wickedness, every inclination, evil all the time.
Then in 6:6 we read, the Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.
We tried to discuss how God, who knows everything that’s going to happen, could have regret.
Then we learned 6:8, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
However we learned that Noah didn’t earn grace, or favor, the Lord gave it to him. Noah did many good works in the eyes of men, but it was because of the grace God gave him. God did not LOOK on him with favor because he earned it.
Read Genesis 6:9-7:5
Covenant (6:18). A covenant is simply a treaty, pact, or contract between two individuals. Archaeologists have found many secular covenants from biblical times. The ones God makes in the Old Testament resemble covenants that a king would make with his subjects. Some ancient covenants include acts of loyalty and obedience the subject must do in return for the sovereign’s protection. Other covenants are unconditional grants from a sovereign to a loyal servant.[9]
3. Explain the covenant God made with Noah before the flood (see 6:13–7:5).
God promises to keep Noah and family safe.
Safe from what? Flood? But what else? Judgement
There is one major difference between a contract with man and one with God.
God honors his end even when men fail.
-We will come back to the covenant.
Read Hebrews 11:7. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
4. Hebrews 11:7 commends Noah for his “faith.” From Hebrews 11:1,7 and Genesis 6:9–7:5 record all the ways Noah showed faith in God.
-walked with God
-blameless among people (what does that entail? Trust?)
-unseen – God describes something that has never been built. Something that has no use in a desert. Plus it took 100+ years to build.
What do you think others thought?
Do you think Noah ever doubted?
Imagine the immense size and scope of this project.
Ark (6:14). In 6:14-16, God describes a box 450 x 75 x 45 feet, the size of some modern ocean liners and with proportions suitable for excellent floating and maximum storage, not for sailing speed. G. F. Wright calculates that after storing enough food to support several thousand pairs of animals on a voyage of a year, there would remain more than fifty cubic feet for each pair.[10] Noah built this huge ark “in a dry, landlocked region where it was inconceivable that there would ever be enough water to float the vessel.”[11] Noah’s family stayed in the ark a total of 370 days.
This is exactly 6 times longer than wide. Same as modern ratios. 1.5 football fields long, four stories high. – built by 4 men!
Read 1 Peter 3:20
to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,
-Do you think God warned others? 8 people were saved. How many ignored God?
-Do you think some people did believe for awhile, but did not make it 100 years?
Same as today. Every day people are warned of God coming judgement, but do nothing. 100 years to build the ark. 100 years to be alive and be warned.
5. a. Hebrews 11:7 also commends Noah’s “holy fear.” What is holy fear? b. How did Noah display this trait?
Good time to review: Look up:
proverbs 9:10
Psalm 111:10
Job 28:28
6. What other good qualities of Noah do you observe in 6:9–7:5?
Good father?
hard worker?
resolve?
organized?
visionary?
must be resourceful
Why 7 pairs of every kind of “clean” animal? Sacrifice.
so noah needs, animals for their survival, food for all, and animals for sacrifice.
building and going into the ark, did not take the place of Gods request for sacrifice.
How can we relate to this today?
7. How can you act in faith, holy fear, or another of Noah’s traits in the circumstances you are facing?
Genesis (LifeChange Book 16) (p. 66). The Navigators. Kindle Edition.
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