Corruption on the Earth
(Matthew 24:36–51)
1 Now when men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took as wives whomever they chose.
3 So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever,a for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.”
4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and afterward as well—when the sons of God had relations with the daughters of men. And they bore them children who became the mighty men of old, men of renown.
5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. 6 And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD said, “I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.”
Noah’s Favor with God
8 Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creaturesb on the earth had corrupted their ways.
Preparing the Ark
(Hebrews 11:7)
13 Then God said to Noah, “The end of all living creatures has come before Me, because through them the earth is full of violence. Now behold, I will destroy both them and the earth.
14 Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood;c make rooms in the ark and coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 And this is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high.d 16 You are to make a roofe for the ark, finish its walls a cubit from the top,f place a door in the side of the ark, and build lower, middle, and upper decks.
17 And behold, I will bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy every creature under the heavens that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.
19 And you are to bring two of every living creature into the ark—male and female—to keep them alive with you. 20 Two of every kind of bird and animal and crawling creature will come to you to be kept alive. 21 You are also to take for yourself every kind of food that is eaten and gather it as food for yourselves and for the animals.”
22 So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him.
Verses 1–4 – The Sons of God and the Daughters of Men
Humanity multiplies, and “the sons of God” take wives from “the daughters of men.” Their unions produce the Nephilim—renowned warriors whose presence hints at growing violence. God restricts human life span to 120 years as moral decay accelerates.
Verses 5–8 – Humanity’s Wickedness and God’s Grief
“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth” (6:5). Every heart-thought is evil, grieving God. Yet Noah finds favor, showing divine mercy even in judgment.
Verses 9–12 – Noah Walks with God in a Corrupt World
Noah is “righteous…blameless…walked with God” (6:9). Humanity and the earth are filled with violence and corruption, but one man shines as an exception.
Verses 13–22 – The Ark Blueprint and Covenant Preview
God announces a coming worldwide flood. He gives precise ark dimensions, promises to establish His covenant with Noah, and Noah obeys “precisely as God had commanded” (6:22).
Historical and Cultural Setting
• Timeframe: Roughly the 10th generation from Adam (see 5:1-32).
• Population boom: “When men began to multiply” (6:1) marks a shift from family clans to city-like communities, escalating sin.
• Ancient Mesopotamian flood accounts (Gilgamesh Epic, Atrahasis) echo Genesis 6-9, suggesting a shared memory of a cataclysmic deluge. Scripture presents the original account, free from mythic embellishment.
Who Are the “Sons of God”?
1. Heavenly beings (see Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7). Peter and Jude link disobedient angels to Noah’s day (2 Peter 2:4-5; Jude 6).
2. Alternative view: godly Sethite men intermarrying with Cainite women.
The text’s contrast—“sons of God” versus “daughters of men”—and the New Testament’s angelic references favor the first reading. Either way, the unions violate God’s order and accelerate lawlessness.
The Nephilim and Ancient Giants
“Nephilim were on the earth in those days” (6:4). Hebrew root n-p-l means “to fall” or “to overpower.” Later spies call the Anakim “Nephilim” (Numbers 13:33). Skeleton finds of unusually tall people in Bashan and elsewhere, plus megalithic structures like those at Rujm el-Hiri in the Golan Heights, illustrate a legacy of giant lore in the region.
God’s 120-Year Countdown
“My Spirit will not contend with man forever…his days shall be 120 years” (6:3). Rather than a new lifespan limit (people still lived longer after the flood), this is a grace period: humanity has 120 years to repent before judgment falls (compare 1 Peter 3:20).
Divine Grief and Mercy
“The LORD regretted that He had made man” (6:6). The wording shows deep sorrow, not a mistake. Psalm 78:40-41 echoes God’s pain over rebellion. Yet verse 8 balances the ledger: “Noah found favor,” highlighting that one obedient life can alter history.
Noah’s Character and Faith
• Righteous: doing what is right.
• Blameless: free of scandal.
• Walked with God: lived in close, daily fellowship (compare Enoch, 5:22-24). Hebrews 11:7 celebrates Noah’s faith that led him to build the ark “in holy fear.”
Construction of the Ark
• Size: 300 cubits × 50 cubits × 30 cubits ≈ 450 × 75 × 45 ft (137 × 23 × 14 m). That equals 1.4 million cubic feet—room for roughly 450 semi-trailers.
• Materials: gopher wood (possibly cypress) coated with pitch inside and out, ensuring buoyancy.
• Design: three decks, rooms (“nests”), single door, skylight for light and ventilation—simple yet seaworthy. Modern scale models built to these specs have shown remarkable stability.
Ancient Flood Memories Around the World
• Mesopotamia: Atrahasis, Gilgamesh.
• China: account of Nu-wa.
• Native American, Australian, and African tribes: deluge traditions with a single family surviving. These widespread echoes support Genesis as the foundational record.
Covenant Preview
“I will establish My covenant with you” (6:18). This is the Bible’s second covenant promise (after God’s word to Adam and Eve in 3:15). The formal ratification comes in 9:8-17, but the relationship is already underway. God rescues, then stipulates terms—grace first, instruction second.
Foreshadowing of Salvation in Christ
• Ark = a wooden shelter lifting believers above judgment; Cross = wooden instrument lifting Christ to bear judgment for believers (1 Peter 3:18-22 links the two directly).
• One door (6:16) = one way to safety; Jesus says, “I am the door” (John 10:9).
• Noah’s family enters by faith; believers enter eternal life by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Later Scripture Connections
• Days of Noah = pattern for Christ’s return (Matthew 24:37-39).
• God’s promise never again to flood the whole earth (Isaiah 54:9).
• Peter uses Noah to preach patience and second chances (1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5).
Practical Takeaways
• God sees every motive; secret sin is still sin (6:5).
• Judgment is real, but so is a way of escape (6:18).
• Obedience may look odd to the world—yet it saves (6:22).
• One person’s faith can shelter many: Noah’s family, future generations, and ultimately the line leading to Jesus.
1. The Reality of Human Wickedness
Genesis 6:5 tells us, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time." This verse reminds us of the pervasive nature of sin and the importance of recognizing our need for redemption. It's a call to examine our own hearts and align our thoughts and actions with God's will.
2. God's Grief Over Sin
In Genesis 6:6, we read, "And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart." This powerful statement shows us that our actions have a profound impact on God. It encourages us to live in a way that brings joy to our Creator, rather than grief, by following His commandments and seeking His guidance.
3. The Call to Righteousness
Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord because he was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time (Genesis 6:8-9). This teaches us that even in a world filled with corruption, it is possible to live a life that pleases God. By walking faithfully with Him, we can stand out as beacons of hope and righteousness.
4. The Importance of Obedience
God gave Noah specific instructions to build an ark, and Noah did everything just as God commanded him (Genesis 6:22). This highlights the importance of obedience to God's word. When we follow His instructions, we not only protect ourselves but also become instruments of His purpose.
5. Divine Patience and Justice
Genesis 6:3 states, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years." This verse reflects God's patience, giving humanity time to repent. However, it also underscores His justice, as there is a limit to His forbearance. We are reminded to make the most of the time we have to turn to Him.
6. The Power of Faith
Noah's faith in God's promise to save him and his family through the ark is a testament to the power of faith. Hebrews 11:7 echoes this, saying, "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family." Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, enabling us to trust in His promises even when we cannot see the outcome.
7. The Consequences of Disobedience
The flood was a direct result of humanity's disobedience and corruption. Genesis 6:13 reveals God's decision: "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them." This serves as a sobering reminder that our choices have consequences, and turning away from God leads to destruction.
8. God's Provision for Salvation
In the midst of judgment, God provided a way of salvation through the ark. This foreshadows the ultimate salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Just as Noah and his family were saved by entering the ark, we are saved by entering into a relationship with Christ, who is our refuge and strength.
9. The Role of Family in Faith
Noah's family was saved because of his faithfulness. Genesis 6:18 says, "But I will establish My covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you." This emphasizes the impact our faith can have on our loved ones, encouraging us to lead by example and nurture a godly legacy.
10. The Promise of Renewal
After the flood, God promised never to destroy the earth with water again, symbolized by the rainbow. This promise of renewal and hope is a reminder that God is always working towards restoration. As we face challenges, we can trust in His faithfulness to bring about new beginnings and eternal life through Christ.
Seek Forgiveness and Repentance
Confess any areas of sin in your life and seek God's forgiveness and strength to overcome them.
Intercede for the World
Pray for the world to turn from wickedness and seek God's mercy and grace.
Thank God for His Faithfulness
Praise God for His unwavering faithfulness and the promises He has made to His people.
4. In Genesis 6:6, how could an all-knowing God “regret” creating humanity?
1. What does the interaction between the 'sons of God' and 'daughters of men' signify?
2. How does God's regret over creating mankind reflect His character?
3. What characteristics made Noah stand out favorably in God's eyes?
4. How do you interpret the presence of the Nephilim in this chapter?
5. In what ways does God's decision to limit man's lifespan impact your understanding of human life?
6. What does the corruption and violence in the world at this time teach us about humanity's capacity for evil?
7. How would you respond if you were in Noah's position, given the task to build an ark?
8. How does God's instruction to Noah demonstrate His commitment to preserving life?
9. How can Noah's obedience to God's commands inspire us in our daily lives?
10. What does God's covenant with Noah tell us about His relationship with humanity?
11. How do you interpret God's mixed feelings of grief and mercy in this chapter?
12. How does the command to preserve all forms of life reflect on the sanctity of life?
13. How can we apply the lessons of this chapter to the environmental issues we face today?
14. What does Noah's role as the custodian of life teach us about our responsibilities toward other creatures?
15. What actions can we take today that mirror Noah's obedience and faith in God?
16. In what ways does the story of Noah challenge our understanding of justice and mercy?
17. How does this chapter challenge us to stand out as righteous in a world filled with wickedness?
18. How does the concept of covenant in this chapter shape your understanding of God's promises?
19. How do you understand God's grieved heart at man's wickedness?
20. How does this chapter inspire you to act in the face of impending crisis or disaster?