Genesis 6:1-12

In these first twelve verses of Genesis 6, I want to consider several topics. What was life like before the judgment of Noah’s flood? Why would God have to judge the earth in this catastrophic way, and why would God save only 8 people from this judgment? Genesis 6, 7, and 8 are given over to these topics which means this is a very important transition in the history of Mankind. Noah writes, “Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. And the LORD said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.’ There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.’ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Gen. 6:1-12). So, what are the causes of this great global flood that are explained in these verses? 

The multiplication of people.  Vs. 1

Noah’s explanation of the causes of the flood opens with this fact, “Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them…” There was a great multiplication of men and women at this time in history. What does this fact have to do with the problems of the ancient world? I think it should be quite obvious that when you have many people, and there is no human government established at that time to keep order, there will be numerous problems. We also see this fact of crime rising in our major cities today, especially when the police force is being reduced. Sinful men do what is right in their own eyes, and this creates massive problems in densely populated cities (Deut. 12:8; Judges 17:6).

How many people were on the earth at this time? 

The Bible tells us that from Adam to the flood were 10 generations, which translated into 1656 years (Luke 3:36-38). Noah and his wife were still having children when he was 500 years old. Think about how many children you can have in 500 years. Probably a whole lot! In addition, when you consider the fact that Adam was a hundred and thirty years old when Seth was born, and then in the next verse it declares, “After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters” (Gen. 5:3-4). In the next 800 years how many children did Adam have? We are not told, but I would assume quite a few. The Scripture does not tell us the exact number, but it simply declares that, “He had sons and daughters.” Every person listed in Genesis 5 also, “had sons and daughters.” This recurring statement reveals that there were many children being born into each family at this time.

In another biblical story, we get a little more insight into how fast the population was growing at this time. Jacob had 12 sons and probably as many daughters as well. When he left the land of Israel to go down into Egypt, they numbered 70 people (Gen. 35:22; Gen. 46:27). But 400 years later when they returned from Egypt to go into the land of promise, the Scripture tells us they numbered 600,000 adult men, which were all men 20 years old and above (Ex. 12:37). If you add a conservative estimate of another 600,000 wives, and several children for each family, the Israelites numbered at a minimum of 3,000,000 people. That is quite a number of babies born in 400 years.

Statisticians and population scientists who have studied this subject of population growth, believe that in 1656 years, there could have been a population before the flood of Noah of between 5 to 17 billion people on the earth. Now you may be thinking, Could this really be true? The simple answer is yes! Why? Because if each family had only 6 to 8 children, and those families had 6 to 8 children, and each family did the same, there would be a geometric progression of growth in the population. One statistician I studied declared that if there were just a 2% per year growth rate, a single couple (Adam and Eve) could generate 3.5 billion people in only 1075 years. How could this occur? First, because of the abundance of vegetation and the ease of growing food because of the favorable climate during this time. Second, because of the longevity of life during this period of man’s history. Third, because of what Scripture has already told us about how many children these pre-flood families were having. There would be by the most conservative estimates, at least several billion people on the earth prior to the flood. This is why the Bible tells us, “Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them…” (Gen. 6:1). This statement reveals the mass population growth of that time period.

Why did people live so long in the ancient world?

Many times, people ask, “How could anyone really live 500, 800, or 900 years? Isn’t this just a fanciful myth? So as not to be redundant explaining this again, please see my study in Genesis 1:3-13, and my discussion of the water canopy that surrounded the earth before the flood. This water canopy above the earth would have been a great protection from the radiation from outer space. https://covenantkeepers.org/bible-studies/old-testament-studies/55-bible-studies/653-genesis-1-3-13

The wickedness of man was great.  Vs. 5

The key aspect that Scripture reveals about the pre-flood world was that it was an incredibly wicked time in man’s history. Scripture declares, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). The wickedness of man was so great that, “Every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” This meant that men were completely corrupted by sin. To understand how wicked a time this was, just think about yourself and your own thoughts. Today when a believer has a wicked thought, our conscience immediately convicts us and we think, I shouldn’t be thinking that way. We choose to refuse these thoughts, and we ask God’s forgiveness for what we have done. In contrast, the people of Noah’s day never had any conviction of conscience, and never chose what was good. They continually chose evil. This meant that their hearts were hardened to the point they had become reprobate. God speaks of how this process takes place in someone’s heart in the epistle to the Romans. There Paul said, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Rom. 1:18-32). This is not an easy passage to read, but this is what happens to people who reject the truth of God.

The earth was corrupt. Vs. 11

In verse 11, it says, “The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” The word corrupt means that people were morally corrupt and perverse. The earth was also filled with violence. This word violence meant that people acted with aggression and cruelty toward others. The Bible also tells us that this was a time of great sexual perversion. We will cover this point later in this study. Consequently, the world in those days was corrupt, perverted, and violent. This doesn’t sound like a place you would want to live. Yet, this is exactly where our world is today. Jesus said that the time just before His return would be just as it was in the days of Noah. Listen to His words, “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26-27). So, wake up and get ready, because those days are here.

Was Noah a myth? Was the flood a myth? Jesus didn’t think so! By speaking these words in Luke, Jesus gave credibility to the historicity of Noah and the flood. When your science teacher in school says, “The flood is a myth. That never happened.” Just remember, this teacher is contradicting Jesus Christ. In our next few studies, I will also give you some of the most conclusive evidence for the flood, which you have probably never seen. This evidence will prove that Noah’s flood actually occurred, and it was a global catastrophe.

Who were these sons of God?  Vs. 2; 4

In verse 2 we read one of the strangest passages in Scripture when it declares, “The sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose” (Gen. 6:2). Then in Genesis 6:4 we read, “There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.” The word translated giants is the Hebrew word “Nephilim,” which comes from the root word “Naphal,” which means fallen ones or ones cast down. What do these verses mean, and why are they found here in the context of the corruption and evil that was in the world prior to the flood?

First, who were the sons of God, and why did their sexual relations with the women of the earth produce giants? Let me give you three different opinions that most commentators have come to believe, and then I will explain to you my own view. The first view is that the sons of God were just the sons of Seth who married the daughters Cain, and mingled the godly seed with Cain’s ungodly seed. The second view is that these sons of God were demon-possessed individuals having sexual relations with the women of that day. The third view is that the sons of God were fallen angels who had sexual relations with women, which then produced these giants. Honestly, I don’t believe that the first two options are really viable according to the Scripture for these reasons. First, why would the godly sons of Seth marrying the ungodly women from Cain’s family linage produce giants? If this was the result, we should have giants today, because godly and ungodly people still marry each other every day. The same is true for the second option, because someone demon-possessed would have no effect upon marrying a woman and having a child. In cultures today where demon-possession is more common, why wouldn’t we see those who were possessed producing giants now? These are the reasons why I believe these two potential explanations are incorrect.

I believe that these sons of God are referring to fallen angels, or cast down ones, for several reasons. The first reason is because when you read Old Testament Jewish writers dealing with this particular passage, they all translate these sons of God as angels. Josephus, the Jewish historian also referred to these sons of God as angels. In Job 1:6 it declares, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.” The sons of God in this passage are clearly angels of God. In Job 2:1 you see the same thing declared when Job writes, “There was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves.” See also Job 38:7 as additional proof. In addition, the translators of the Septuagint, which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, also translated these “sons of god” as angels. Therefore, with the biblical evidence and the Septuagint translator’s decision, it is clear that these “sons of God” were angels. Another proof that the “sons of God” in this passage in Genesis 6 are obviously fallen angels, is because of their nefarious and immoral actions with the daughters of men. What convinces me that these are fallen angels, is their offspring. The result of their sexual union caused giants to be born, or fallen ones. Remember, the word giants comes from the root word, “Naphal,” which means fallen ones or ones cast down. Now you may be thinking, This is just too weird to even think that this could possibly take place. Well let me give you some further evidence.

Notice what the Bible teaches in Jude 1:5-7 where it is written, “But I want you want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.  And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own habitation, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” It is essential to note that Jude connects what the angels did, and the sexual immorality done in Sodom and Gomorrah when he writes, “As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in similar manner to these.” Who is Jude referring to when he writes, “In similar manner to these?” The word “these” is referring to the angels who acted in a similar manner as those in Sodom and Gomorrah. Clearly then these angels gave “themselves over to sexual immorality,” and went “after strange flesh,” just as those in Sodom and Gomorrah did. This is why these angels are reserved in everlasting chains for the great day of God’s judgment, because of the heinousness of their sexual perversion. This is a very clear statement, and proof of what they did. 

Then in 2 Peter 2:4-6, the Apostle Peter connects these fallen angels directly with the flood of Noah, and also just as Jude did, by connecting the angels perversion with those in Sodom and Gomorrah when he wrote, “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly” When God declared that He cast these angels down to hell, He used a special word for the special place He sent them that He called, “Tartarus.” The word Tartarus is used only here in the entire New Testament. So why would God assign this special place in hell, to hold these special fallen angels, when Satan himself and other fallen angels are free to roam about the earth today seeking to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8; Eph. 6:10-12)? It must be because of the tremendous evil that these angels perpetrated on mankind before the flood. This word Tartarus is also found in Hellenistic writings for where the Titans, were held for punishment by God. The Greeks believed these Titans were extremely huge beings with a human form who supposedly controlled and ruled the universe.

An argument against the view of these angels committing such evil is made by some who say, “But Jesus taught in Matthew 22:30 that the angels are sexless. So, how could these fallen angels have sexual relations with women?” But Jesus does not say that angels are sexless, He only said, “They neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Matt. 22:30). From this statement people make assumptions that are not directly stated by God. All God states is that we will not have marital relationships in heaven. It does not explicitly state that angels cannot have sex. In fact, there are many passages in Scripture that reveal when angels appear to humans they appear with bodies like a man (Gen. 19:1; 5). When the angels first appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18:2-8, we see that they ate normal food with Abraham, because at that time they had physical bodies. In addition, in Genesis 19 it declares that the men of Sodom wanted to have sexual relations with the angels that came into the city. 

Another piece of evidence is Greek mythology. Where did these stories come from of half human-half god creatures, or of some of the great heroes in their stories that possessed great strength? Were these all just crazy stories that someone thought up, or was there some truth in fact that there were giants that were half man-half god? Remember, Genesis 6:4 declared that these giants were mighty men, and men of renown. The words mighty men meant that they were great warrior heroes. The words men of renown meant that they were mighty men of reputation that you would not forget. Goliath was one such man of reputation, because he was one of these great warriors of the Philistines. But we must never forget that the faith of a young shepherd boy took this giant down!

It is clear from Scripture that these giants were the result of this immoral sexual contact with the women of the earth. But what is in question is whether or not these stories in Greek mythology are describing the same result. What is clear is that these stories of half man-half god like giants are all through the folklore and the history of many civilizations. Even the American Indians had these stories. Here is the recounting of one such story by Buffalo Bill Cody who wrote his autobiography in 1879. He states, “While we were in the sand hills, scouting the Niobrara country, the Pawnee Indians brought into camp some very large bones, one of which the surgeon of the expedition pronounced to be the thigh-bone of a human being. The Indians claimed that the bones they had found were those of a person belonging to a race of people who a long time ago lived in this country; that there was once a race of men on the earth whose size was about three times that of an ordinary man, and they were so swift and powerful that they could run along-side of a buffalo, and taking the animal in one arm could tear off a leg and eat the meat as they walked.” Taken from, “The Life of Honorable William F. Cody”, By William F. Cody, published in 1879.

Another interesting fact to consider is, today in many movies and television programs the themes and story lines seem to be trying to normalize the idea of angels or demons having sexual relations with women here on earth. Fifty years ago, this kind of story line was never even thought of by movie makers. Why is this occurring? Is this a demonic conditioning of mankind to believe that this is acceptable?

Do you also realize that today scientists are attempting to mix human DNA with animal DNA in universities around the world? Here is a link that recounts this very thing going on at the University of Tokyo. https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/japan-approves-animal-human-dna-splicing-experiments See also, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170222-the-uneasy-truth-about-human-animal-hybrids This experimentation is called transhumanism, or hybrid-humans. Scientists started out with using their work to select the gender of a child, but now researchers are trying to select certain traits for children. When you then add in certain animal DNA you are changing what it means to be a human made in the image of God. This must be abhorrent to God as He watches this take place.

If you agree or disagree with me that these giants described in Genesis 6 were the result of demonic interaction with women, you have to acknowledge that God considered these resulting giants as an evil and detestable thing. We know this to be true because in the very next verses here in Genesis 6 we read, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart” (Gen. 6:5-6). It appears from this statement, which is in the context of these giants being born, that this was why God condemned the world to the judgment of the flood. What men were doing at this time in history was so evil and detestable to Him, that this was the only remedy. If this was the only remedy, this is another very strong rationale that this was in fact what was happening to the human population, the genetic mixing of the demonic and human DNA. If this is what was occurring, then this was clearly Satan’s attempt to thwart God’s promise to bring forth the Messiah through the seed of the woman. Only eight people were saved to keep the genetic pool of humans pure, which would then allow the Messiah to come forth who would save all Mankind.

Why would God stop striving with men?

Notice in Genesis 6:3 that God makes a statement that puzzles some people, where He declared, “And the Lord said, ‘My spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.’” The obvious question would be why would the Lord stop striving with men? The Hebrew word strive literally means to contend with or to argue with someone. I think it’s an incredible blessing that He strives at all with men. His Spirit contends and pleads with our hearts, arguing with us about the truth of who He is, what He has done for us, and what we have done to run from Him. It is incredible grace that God would strive with any one of us, in order to bring us back to Himself. His striving after mankind is what demonstrates His abounding love and mercy towards each and every one of us! God declared to the people of Israel, “Behold, I will plead My case against you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned’” (Jer. 2:35). All of the prophets of the Old Testament pleaded continually for the Jews to turn from their sins, and to obey His commandments. But they refused! Jesus also pleaded with all He encountered when He walked among us here on earth. Listen to His pleading when He says, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD’” (Luke 13:34-35). You must note in these verses that Jesus is pleading with the people to draw near to Him, but they refused. Then He tells them, “Your house is left to you desolate.” Here is where He is declaring that He will not strive with them forever. This statement is proof that there is an end to God’s patience and pursuit of these people. There is a point of no return for them. This is the point where His mercy will end, and judgment will come. What happened when the Jews rejected God’s pleadings to them? They experienced the judgment of captivity. What happened when the Jews of Jesus’ day rejected and crucified Him? The Roman’s came and destroyed Jerusalem, and the Jews again went into captivity. What will happen when the world returns to the corruption that was rampant in the days of Noah? The judgment of the Tribulation period will come, and men will face the judgment and wrath of God. There is a day when God will say, “It is enough. I’m done. I have waited in My grace long enough!” God declared in Jeremiah 11:7, “For I earnestly exhorted your fathers in the day I brought them out of the land of Egypt, until this day, rising early and exhorting, saying, ‘Obey My voice.’” Then in verse 11 of that same chapter He adds, because they failed to obey His voice, “Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they shall not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them.’” God pleads with them, and then declares that He will not hear their cry, because they refused His pleadings to them.

But does God’s mercy endure to those who put their trust in Him and fear Him? Oh yes, absolutely it does! His mercy endures forever toward them. God’s promise declares, “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them” (Ps. 103:17-18). I pray that you who read these words will reverence God to the point that you will put your trust in Him, and do what He has commanded in His Word. Listen to His voice and obey Him!

One last thing in Genesis 6:3 that people often miss. Notice that God said He would not strive with them forever, but then declared, “Yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.’” What does this mean? This is not teaching the lifespan of men as being 120 years long. God is basically telling them how many years it would be before the flood would come. He was giving them 120 years to come to their senses, and repent of their sins. Didn’t God know that they were going to refuse His offer? Of course He did. That is why at the same time He told Noah to build the ark. Noah and his sons had an enormous job to build this ship, and he needed time to accomplish his work. If any of you have seen and walked through the ark replica that was built in Williamstown, Kentucky, you will understand how great a task this was for Noah and his sons.

Why would God be sorry that He had made man?  Vs. 5-7

In Genesis 6:5-7 God declared, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.’ The context of this statement where God declares His sorrow over the creation of man makes it quite obvious why He felt this way. It was the fact that the wickedness of men was so great, and every intent in their thoughts was only continually evil. Men had wholly corrupted themselves, and the earth was filled with violence. The word sorry meant that He regretted the fact that He had made man. The phrase that He was grieved in His heart, meant that mankind’s actions caused Him to experience pain. This reveals that man’s sin and evil affects God. You see the same truth revealed about Jesus when He came to the city of Jerusalem. He wept over the city, because He knew what would happen to them. In Luke 19:41-44 Luke records, “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.’” Jesus was expressing the pain and grief in His heart that the people had missed the incredible blessing that He wanted to bring to them and their nation. He knew that judgment was about to fall upon them, that the Romans would ultimately come and destroy their city and sanctuary.

But did you know that the Holy Spirit can also be grieved by our actions and attitudes? Paul warned the Ephesian church, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30). Therefore, never forget that you can grieve the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit by how you live, and by the thoughts of your heart. But you must also remember that there were eight people that did not grieve God, but actually pleased Him. 

Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  Vs. 8-12

Scripture revealed this fact by declaring, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Gen. 6:8-12). What an incredible contrast between the ungodliness, violence, and wickedness of the world in that day, and one man who found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Notice that the Scripture does not say that Noah deserved God’s grace, or earned His grace! No, he found grace and God’s favor. How did Noah find this grace in the eyes of the Lord? He found it by faith. In Hebrews 11:7 we are told, “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” This is also how anyone can access the grace of God. You access God’s grace by putting your faith in Him and His promises. Paul told the Romans, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-2). Do you need God’s grace in your life today? Go to Him now in prayer, and ask in faith for that grace that you need.

One thing that you should not miss in this section of Scripture is the fact that even though the entire world at that time was completely given over to wickedness, there was still one man and his family who believed and walked with God. If Noah and his family could separate themselves from the evil of that day, that means you can too! There are no circumstances in which you could ever find yourself that could separate you from the love and grace of God, or from loving and following the Lord (Rom. 8:37-39)! If Noah could do it, so can you. You can be a Noah today!

Noah’s account ends.  Vs. 9-12

Noah now ends his account with these words, “This is the genealogy of Noah” (Gen. 6:9). Remember that this Hebrew word genealogy means account or proceedings. Therefore, Noah is simply putting his signature to what proceeds this statement. This was Noah’s account of what happened. The next sentence is written by one of the sons of Noah. Clearly you can tell from this sentence that follows, that it is not Noah who was writing. Noah is now being eulogized concerning what kind of man he was. Noah’s son writes, “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Gen. 6:9-12).
Notice these statements of Noah’s character by his son. “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” The majority of the time the term just is translated righteous in the Old Testament. How did Noah obtain his righteous standing before God? He received God’s righteousness just as Abraham did, or any of the other Old Testament saints. He obtained this righteousness by faith. The Scripture declared of Abraham that, “He believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). Noah also became righteous, because he also believed in God (Heb. 11:7). Never forget that today if you believe in Jesus, you too can be declared righteous in His sight (Rom. 10:10). What glorious grace God has allowed us to receive!

Noah’s son also said that his father was perfect in his generation. This does not mean that Noah was sinless, because the Hebrew word actually means unblemished. You can also see how this Hebrew word perfect is used in Leviticus 22:21, where it is used of an unblemished animal that was acceptable to God and ready for sacrifice. This simply meant that Noah and his sons and their wives had not been polluted by the evil that was taking place in the world. Could it also refer to the fact that Noah’s genealogical line had not been polluted by the “sons of God” that had relations with the women of the earth? I think that is very possible.

Never forget what the Bible teaches in Romans 5:20, “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” This is clearly demonstrated in our text here in Genesis 6. Sin and wickedness abounded in those days, yet God’s grace abounded much more to deliver them from the wrath of the flood. As well, each one of you are a descendent of Noah. Do you realize that? Every one of us has come from that seed of faith, and a man of faith who walked with God. Make that choice to walk with God just as Noah did in the midst of the wickedness of this world. If you do, then you too will find the blessing of God’s great grace, and you will be delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10).