In Genesis 5, we primarily examined the ages and genealogy of Adam’s generation. Brutal truths about the two sexes that God created were expressed, as well as the interference double-barreled names cause in preventing a man and his wife from becoming one.
In today’s chapter, we will examine how man’s continuous wickedness caused our Creator to regret making us. Because of that, He considered destroying us from the face of the earth. However, because of one man’s righteousness, we were spared extinction, even though our life expectancy was significantly reduced.
- “Fairness” should not be the only requirement for a compatible partner.
The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair; thus, they took wives of all they chose. Apart from surrendering your life to God, choosing a spouse is your most important decision. Part of the reason so many relationships and marriages are failing is that the bar for selecting a partner has been reduced to appearance alone.
Most men only desire a beautiful woman, even if the beauty is bought, and some females, the handsome and hunky, will do. While there is nothing wrong with desiring an attractive partner, attractiveness shouldn’t be the only basis for choosing someone to do life with. Character, equally yoked, spiritually, mentally, and otherwise, in addition to standards, shared values, and ethics, should be part of the package.
When my granduncle was getting married, he spoke about his ‘pretty wife.’ However, when he got older and sick, including blindness, he had to go back to his childhood home and community, which he had left for several decades alone while his pretty wife moved on with her life.
Furthermore, it makes no sense to have a pretty spouse who will lead you to hell.
I am not sure who the sons of God were, but clearly, they were not supposed to be cohabitating with the daughters of men, somewhat worse, simply because they were fair.
- Man’s shortened lifespan
In Genesis 5, we look at Adam’s generation and how many lived over 900 years old. However, here, God is saying that because of man’s wickedness, our lifetime will be shortened. Some people suggest that the diet was instituted after the flood to reduce man’s life expectancy. Whether this is true or not, we know from this passage that the plan to minimize man’s life was implemented before the flood.
God, a Spirit, said His Spirit would not always strive with men because we are also flesh, and sin causes us to yield to our fleshly desires.
- Our wickedness grieves God’s heart.
Man’s wickedness on earth was so great that God regretted making us. Not only were our forefamilies physically wicked, but every imagination and thought of our hearts was always evil, not sometimes, but continually.
Do you want to know if God is still grieving? Well, are we still wicked?
This reminds us that even though God is all-powerful, His heart still grieves for both victims and perpetrators, even in today’s society. However, because of His mercy and grace, God didn’t just cut us off clean; He shortened our time on earth so that we could repent of our sins and trust Him.
Imagine if the lifespan of the most heinous murderers were 900 years old. Do you know how many more people would have been harmed?
- You can make a difference.
The Lord said He would destroy both man and beast from the earth, including fowls of the air and every creeping thing, but Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord.
The Bible describes Noah as just and perfect, walking with God. So, for the sake of Noah’s obedience to God, our prior generations and you and I were speared.
Let it be clear that we should not conform to what everybody does in high school or whatever sphere of life we are in. A high standard of living and a lifestyle that pleases God can and will make a positive difference.
If you are in a taxi and the driver is going too fast, telling the driver to slow down can save your life and the lives of others in the vehicle. Choosing to abstain from sexual intercourse until marriage can change the trajectory of your generation positively.
Despite the tremendous and continuous evil of mankind, God found Noah to be just. How about you?
- You have been chosen to put an end to the destruction around you
Because Noah was an upright man, God chose him to lead the effort to build an ark to save his family and preserve the generation. Noah was privy to inside information. Amid a violent and corrupt people, God revealed His plans to Noah.
What has God chosen you to do? Are you just and perfect? Has God called you to reveal His plans to save your family from poverty, hereditary illnesses, a life of crime and violence, etc? Have you been called to surrender your life to God so those around you can still find hope in Jesus?
In the same way, Noah didn’t tell God his situation was hopeless; don’t tell God that yours is. Just work with Him and let Him deliver you from a lifetime of sickness, struggles, and pain. God wants to establish His covenant with you. Can He?
- Your plans should be detailed and specific.
Genesis 6:14-16, God says, “Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.”
God is so detailed that He told Noah about every aspect of building the ark—the stories, decorations, length, etc. I pray that we take the time to be specific about the projects we are working on and the ones we are telling others to work on.
- We must be obedient to God.
Genesis 6:22 says, “This Noah did according to all God commanded him to do.” Are you doing all that God has commanded you to do?
Obedience to God could save your life, your family, and even your nation, so the next time God commands you to take action, do so, even if, like Noah, the thing He requires has never been done before.
Assignment:
- Who were the sons of God?
- It was the man who sinned, so why do you think the animals would also be destroyed from the earth?
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