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Genesis 6 English Standard Version (ESV)

Increasing Corruption on Earth

¹ When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, ² the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. ³ Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” ⁴ The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.

⁵ The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ⁶ And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. ⁷ So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” ⁸ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Noah and the Flood

⁹ These are the generations 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 God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. ¹² And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. ¹³ And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. ¹⁴ Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. ¹⁵ This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits.¹⁶ Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. ¹⁷ For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. ¹⁸ But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. ¹⁹ And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. ²⁰ Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. ²¹ Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” ²² Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

REFLECTION

In Chapter 5, we read that “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him” (5:24) Here, in this chapter, is another person who “walked with God.”

Noah lived in a totally corrupt society. Yet he himself was committed to a blameless life. Even more impressive is the fact when told by God to build a giant ark, Noah immediately set out to do so.

How long did Noah and his sons labor? When God made His decision to judge, mankind was given 120 years (v3). It was during that time Noah and his sons accomplished their tasks. And during all that time, Noah bore the ridicules made at him. He ignored them and kept on working, surrounded by the jeering laughter of his neighbours. Despite it all, Noah remained faithful. He had heard God speak. And “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him” (v22).

1 Peter 3:19-20 suggests that by the Holy Spirit, Christ Himself spoke through Noah in the long period that “God waited patiently” for Noah to finish his assigned task.

How important our faithfulness is. As we like Noah bear up under the pressure brought on us, Christ by His Holy Spirit speaks through us to the very persons who laugh and doubt. And this time, they may respond. Therefore, our faithfulness, when others jeer, speaks more powerfully than the words of the most gifted preacher the world has ever known.

The New Testament compares the severe judgment in the days of Noah with the judgment that will be poured out at the return of Christ (cf. Luke 17:26-30). How can you urge those around you to seek refuge in Christ?

PRAYER

Father, in this generation where people are becoming more and more distant from you and your laws, I pray that they will repent and come to know you. I pray that as a believer, that you would give me the strength to do the right things and preach the gospel of truth to those around me.