Genesis 6
Genesis 6:1-2: Depravity of the World These verses show how people turned away from God before the flood. As the human population grew, people became more sinful and forgot about God. God’s punishment by the flood was not just an act of power, but a necessary act to keep the honor of His rule. There were two main reasons for the world’s great wickedness: the rapid increase of people and the mixing of godly and ungodly families through marriage. These problems led to more sin and greater corruption in the world.v. 1: The number of people on earth increased quickly. This was because of God's blessing to Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” (ch. i. 28 a). But instead of using this blessing in a good way, people became more sinful as they multiplied. As Proverbs says, When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth (Prov. xxix. 16 b). More people meant more sin, and people influenced each other to do wrong. v. 2: The “sons of God” (those who worshipped God, like the family of Seth) started to marry the “daughters of men” (women from families who did not follow God, like Cain’s descendants). These marriages were not good because the godly people did not keep themselves separate. They chose wives only for their beauty, not for their faith or character. They followed their own desires and did not ask God for guidance. This led to believers being “unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Cor. vi. 14 c), which God later forbade for Israel (Deut. vii. 3, 4 d). Mixed marriages like this caused trouble for Solomon (1 Kings xi. 1-4 e) and for the Jews after returning from Babylon (Ezra ix. 1, 2 f). Those who say they belong to God should be careful to marry believers, because it is easier for bad people to drag good people down than for good people to lift bad people up. Genesis 6:3: God’s Warning to a Sinful World In this verse, God shows His anger at the people who were marrying those who did not follow Him. Because of these choices, God warns that He will not let His Spirit continue to work with people forever. When people ignore God’s warnings and follow their own desires, God may stop trying to guide them. This is a very serious judgment. God also gives the people 120 more years before the flood comes, showing both His patience and His justice.v. 3: God says, “My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.” This means God’s Spirit had been working in people’s hearts, warning them through their conscience and through Noah’s preaching (1 Pet. iii. 19, 20 g). But most people refused to listen. God will not continue to warn people forever (Hos. iv. 17 h). If people keep resisting the Holy Spirit, He will eventually stop warning them, and they will be ready for judgment.Reason for God’s Decision: God says, “for that he also is flesh.” This means people had become very sinful and only cared about their own desires. Everyone was corrupt. When people keep choosing sin over God, the Holy Spirit will stop working in their hearts. People lose the Spirit’s help only after they keep rejecting Him.God’s Patience and Time Limit: Even though people deserved punishment right away, God gave them 120 more years before the flood. This was a chance for them to repent and change. God’s mercy delayed judgment, but not forever. God’s patience is great, but it has a limit. He gives people time to turn back, but if they do not, punishment will come after the time is up. Genesis 6:4-5: Corruption and Wickedness Before the Flood These verses explain how the world became more and more evil before the flood. When the “sons of God” married the “daughters of men,” God patiently waited to see what kind of people their children would become. Sadly, these children followed the bad example instead of the good one. The people became known for their strength and fame, but not for their faith or goodness. God saw how deeply evil people had become—both in their actions and their hearts.v. 4: There were giants on earth in those days, and also mighty men who were famous. These were the children of the “sons of God” and “daughters of men.” Because of their size and strength, they were able to control others and do what they wanted, like the sons of Anak in Num. xiii. 33 i. Their power made them proud and led them to do violence. They cared more about making a name for themselves than about doing right. This shows that great power can lead people to sin if they do not have self-control. v. 5: God saw that the wickedness of humans was very great. People were openly sinning everywhere, and even those who were honored in society were often the worst offenders. When evil people become famous and respected, the whole society becomes even more wicked. God also looked deeper—He saw that every thought and desire in people’s hearts was always evil (Ps. xiv. 1-3 j). Their hearts and plans were bad all the time, not just sometimes. This deep corruption in their hearts led to all the violence and sin in the world (Jam. i. 15; Matt. xv. 19 k). God sees all sin, not just the actions but also the thoughts and designs behind them. Genesis 6:6-7: Mankind Threatened with Destruction These verses show how God responded to the great evil of the people on earth before the flood. God was not just a distant observer—He was deeply hurt and offended by human sin. The Bible uses strong words, saying that it “repented” the Lord that He had made humans, and that it “grieved him at his heart.” This language helps us understand how God truly hates sin. Even though God never changes or makes mistakes, these words express His holy anger and sadness over the world’s wickedness. Because people had turned so far from Him, God decided to destroy them along with the animals, since they had all been affected by human sin.v. 6: God’s reaction is described like a parent who is hurt by a rebellious child. It “repented” the Lord that He had made humans, and He was “grieved at his heart.” This doesn’t mean God actually changed His mind, because God never changes (Rom. xi. 29 l). Instead, it shows how much God hates sin and how sad it makes Him when people turn against Him (Ps. xcv. 10; Ezek. vi. 9 m). We should also feel sorry and ashamed when we realize our sins have hurt God (Zech. xii. 10 n). v. 7: Because people were so sinful, God decided to destroy humans and even the animals (“man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air”). God says He will “wipe off” or “blot out” people from the earth, like cleaning away dirt or erasing a name from a book (2 Kings xxi. 13 o). Even though God made humans and animals, their purpose was not being fulfilled because of sin. The animals would be destroyed along with humans because they were created for people to use in serving God—but instead, people used them for selfish reasons (Isa. xxvii. 11 p). God’s judgment only comes after He has patiently tried to bring people back to Him, but when they continually refuse, judgment follows. Genesis 6:8-10: Noah Finds Favor with God These verses show how Noah was different from the rest of the world at a time when most people were evil. God was angry with everyone else, but He looked kindly on Noah. This shows that God carefully sees every person’s actions and chooses to show special kindness to those who follow Him. Even if people around us dislike or reject us for doing what is right, finding grace in the eyes of the Lord is the greatest honor. Noah’s life and faith made him stand out in a sinful world.v. 8: While everyone else was rebelling against God, Noah “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” God’s favor to Noah shows that God is fair in His judgment. He notices those who are faithful, even when almost everyone else is corrupt. God’s grace is the most important thing anyone can have, even if others do not value us (2 Cor. v. 9 q). v. 9: Noah was “a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” This means Noah was honest and upright. He was made right with God by faith in the promised Savior (Heb. xi. 7 r). He also tried to live a holy life every day. Noah’s life was marked by sincerity, not perfection without sin. He lived close to God, just like Enoch did before him. Noah stayed faithful, even when everyone else was evil. It is much harder to do what is right when most people around you are doing wrong, but Noah did it. v. 10: Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. These three would later be important for the future of humanity and God’s plan after the flood. Genesis 6:11-12: Depravity of the World These verses describe how bad things had become in the world before the flood. The whole earth was full of sin, and people had turned away from God. This is mentioned both to show how different Noah was from everyone else, and to explain why God was right to decide to destroy the world. When everyone chooses evil, judgment is certain to come.v. 11: The earth was “corrupt before God,” meaning people did not worship God in the right way. They may have worshipped other gods, used idols, or openly disrespected God. The earth was also “filled with violence.” People hurt each other, stole, and killed. There was no safety or justice. When people lose respect for God, they also lose respect for others, and society falls into chaos. v. 12: God Himself looked at the world and saw that “it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” This means that every person, except Noah, was doing evil. The sin was not just in one place or group—it was everywhere. God, who sees everything (Ps.33. 13 s), was the perfect Judge. When sin spreads to everyone, God’s judgment is sure to come, because there are no more people left who pray or try to do what is right. Genesis 6:13-21: Prediction of the Deluge In these verses, God explains to Noah why He will send a flood to destroy the earth. God tells Noah about the coming judgment because Noah has found favor with Him. God also gives Noah clear instructions on how to build the ark so that he and his family, along with representatives of the animals, can be saved. This passage shows both God’s justice in punishing sin and His mercy in making a way for salvation. Noah is chosen to be the “man of God’s counsel” and the “man of His covenant” during this time of disaster.v. 13: God tells Noah, “The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” God reveals His plans to Noah, just as He later revealed His plans to Abraham (ch. xviii. 17 t). God’s people can trust Him to share His warnings and wisdom with them (Ps. xxv. 14 u). v. 14-16: God commands Noah to build an ark out of gopher wood, with rooms and covered in pitch inside and out. The ark should be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high, with a window at the top and a door in the side, and three levels inside. God gives exact instructions because He knows what is best. God could have saved Noah in any way, but He chooses to involve Noah in the work, to test his faith and obedience. We should always follow God’s instructions carefully, just like Noah did. – – v. 17: God says, “I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh.” God is powerful and just; when He says He will do something, it will surely happen (Job xi. 10 v). The flood will destroy everything that has the breath of life under heaven. v. 18: God promises to establish His covenant with Noah. Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives will go into the ark and be saved. This covenant is a sign of God’s grace and faithfulness, both to Noah and to all who trust Him (ch. ix. 8-11 w). God’s promises are always sure and lasting. v. 19-20: God tells Noah to bring two of every kind of animal, birds, and creeping things into the ark, male and female, to keep them alive. God will help the animals come to Noah. This is a special honor for Noah—he will help save the animals, not just people. In this way, Noah is a picture of Christ, who saves all who come to Him (Heb. v. 9 x). – v. 21: God instructs Noah to gather and store food for himself, his family, and the animals. Noah must prepare for their survival during the flood. God expects us to do our part faithfully, trusting that He will do His part as well. Genesis 6:22: Noah Obeys God’s Command This verse highlights Noah’s complete obedience to God. Even when God’s command was difficult and strange, Noah followed every instruction exactly. His faith and actions show us how we should respond to God’s warnings and instructions, especially when others do not believe or understand.v. 22: “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” Noah’s careful work on the ark was a result of his faith in God’s word. He believed what God said about the coming flood, even though it seemed unlikely (ch. i. 9, 10 y). Noah overcame doubts and questions that others might have had. He did not argue or complain. Building the ark was hard, expensive, and took a long time, but Noah finished the job just as God told him. His neighbors may have laughed at him, but Noah kept going. Noah’s obedience is a good example for us: we should obey God right away, completely, and with a good attitude. His actions also served as a warning to others. Every time he worked on the ark, it reminded people that God’s judgment was coming (Heb. xi. 7 z). We should be ready to listen to God, trust His promises, and prepare for the future by taking His warnings seriously (Exod. ix. 20, 21; Ezek. iii. 18; Prov. xviii. 10 aa; Isa. xxvi. 20, 21; Matt. vii. 24 ab).
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