Genesis 6—The Days of Noah

Genesis 6—The Days of Noah

I. Why is the study of the days of Noah so relevant to today?

I. Why is the study of the days of Noah so relevant to today?

A. The days of Noah mark a significant event in human history.

A. The days of Noah mark a significant event in human history.

1. It tells us something of the nature of God. There is an end to His patience and longsuffering (Gen. 6:3; I Pet. 3:20).

1. It tells us something of the nature of God. There is an end to His patience and longsuffering (Gen. 6:3; I Pet. 3:20).

2. It marked a “new beginning” in human history.

2. It marked a “new beginning” in human history.

a. In Adam and Eve God populated the earth from two people.

a. In Adam and Eve God populated the earth from two people.

b. In Noah and his family God populated the earth from eight people (I Pet. 3:20).

b. In Noah and his family God populated the earth from eight people (I Pet. 3:20).

3. It has significance in the world of geology and science.

3. It has significance in the world of geology and science.

B. The days of Noah are prophetic of the end times (Mt. 24:36-44).

B. The days of Noah are prophetic of the end times (Mt. 24:36-44).

Jesus prophesied that the days prior to the return of the Lord would resemble the days of Noah in some way. Jesus focused on three similarities between the days of Noah and the days preceding His return.

Jesus prophesied that the days prior to the return of the Lord would resemble the days of Noah in some way. Jesus focused on three similarities between the days of Noah and the days preceding His return.

1. The judgment of God will certainly come on the earth.

1. The judgment of God will certainly come on the earth.

a. In the case of the days of Noah it was to come in the form of a flood upon the earth.

a. In the case of the days of Noah it was to come in the form of a flood upon the earth.

b. In the case of the end times it will come when Jesus returns at the Second Coming.

b. In the case of the end times it will come when Jesus returns at the Second Coming.

2. The judgment of God will come when everything seems to be proceeding as usual (Luke 17:28).

2. The judgment of God will come when everything seems to be proceeding as usual (Luke 17:28).

3. The judgment of God will be escaped by those that are ready and faithful (Heb. 11:7; I Th. 5:4-6).

3. The judgment of God will be escaped by those that are ready and faithful (Heb. 11:7; I Th. 5:4-6).

II. What are the things that characterize the days of Noah?

II. What are the things that characterize the days of Noah?

A. The days of Noah are described for us in Genesis 6:1-5, 11-13).

A. The days of Noah are described for us in Genesis 6:1-5, 11-13).

1. There was a population explosion (6:1).

1. There was a population explosion (6:1).

2. Marriage vows were taken lightly (6:2; Mt. 24:38).

2. Marriage vows were taken lightly (6:2; Mt. 24:38).

3. The focus of man was on seeking pleasure (Gen. 6:2; Mt. 24:38; Compare Luke 12:19).

3. The focus of man was on seeking pleasure (Gen. 6:2; Mt. 24:38; Compare Luke 12:19).

a. There was a focus on satisfying the physical appetites of man.

a. There was a focus on satisfying the physical appetites of man.

b. This will be true of the end times as well (II Tim. 3:1-5).

b. This will be true of the end times as well (II Tim. 3:1-5).

4. The earth was filled with violence (6:11, 13)

4. The earth was filled with violence (6:11, 13)

5. The moral climate was one of wickedness (Gen. 6:5).

5. The moral climate was one of wickedness (Gen. 6:5).

6. Mankind had lost his way and become corrupt (Gen. 6:11-12).

6. Mankind had lost his way and become corrupt (Gen. 6:11-12).

7. The spiritual climate was one of darkness (Gen. 6:5-6).

7. The spiritual climate was one of darkness (Gen. 6:5-6).

B. The days of Noah are a prophetic example of what we can expect in the last days prior to the return of the Lord.

B. The days of Noah are a prophetic example of what we can expect in the last days prior to the return of the Lord.

III. Why would God be so apparently harsh in His judgment on man?

III. Why would God be so apparently harsh in His judgment on man?

A. The people in the days of Noah had powerful testimonies.

A. The people in the days of Noah had powerful testimonies.

1. They had the testimony of the Cherubim and flaming sword.

1. They had the testimony of the Cherubim and flaming sword.

2. They had the testimony of the mark of Cain as a warning to all.

2. They had the testimony of the mark of Cain as a warning to all.

3. They had the testimony of Adam and other Godly men and women.

3. They had the testimony of Adam and other Godly men and women.

4. They had the testimony of the translation of Enoch.

4. They had the testimony of the translation of Enoch.

5. They had the testimony of the ark.

5. They had the testimony of the ark.

B. The people in the days of Noah had strong warnings.

B. The people in the days of Noah had strong warnings.

1. They had the prophetic preaching of Enoch (Jude 14-15).

1. They had the prophetic preaching of Enoch (Jude 14-15).

2. They had the prophetic naming of Methuselah (“when he is dead it shall be sent”).

2. They had the prophetic naming of Methuselah (“when he is dead it shall be sent”).

3. They had the preaching of Noah (II Pet. 2:4-5).

3. They had the preaching of Noah (II Pet. 2:4-5).

4. They had the signs of the times (Mt. 16:1-4; Luke 19:44).

4. They had the signs of the times (Mt. 16:1-4; Luke 19:44).

C. The people in the days of Noah had the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Gen. 6:3; II Pet. 3:9).

C. The people in the days of Noah had the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Gen. 6:3; II Pet. 3:9).

IV. How did Noah stand out in his generation?

IV. How did Noah stand out in his generation?

A. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Gen. 6:8).

A. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Gen. 6:8).

1. Noah was a righteous and just man (Gen. 6:9; Ezek. 14:14, 16, 18, 20).

1. Noah was a righteous and just man (Gen. 6:9; Ezek. 14:14, 16, 18, 20).

2. Noah was a perfect man (Gen. 6:9).

2. Noah was a perfect man (Gen. 6:9).

3. Noah walked with God (Gen. 6:9; Amos 3:3).

3. Noah walked with God (Gen. 6:9; Amos 3:3).

4. Noah was a preacher of righteousness (I Pet. 3:18-21; II Pet. 2:4-5).

4. Noah was a preacher of righteousness (I Pet. 3:18-21; II Pet. 2:4-5).

5. Noah was a man of faith who trusted God (Heb. 11:7).

5. Noah was a man of faith who trusted God (Heb. 11:7).

6. Noah feared the Lord and walked in obedience to Him (Gen. 6:22; 7:5, 9-16; Heb. 11:7).

6. Noah feared the Lord and walked in obedience to Him (Gen. 6:22; 7:5, 9-16; Heb. 11:7).7. Noah was a worshipper (Gen. 8:20).

7. Noah was a worshipper (Gen. 8:20).

8. Noah was a faithful priest in his home (Heb. 11:7; II Pet. 2:4-5).

8. Noah was a faithful priest in his home (Heb. 11:7; II Pet. 2:4-5).

B. Noah’s name is used in a rather unique way in this chapter (Gen. 6:8-13).

B. Noah’s name is used in a rather unique way in this chapter (Gen. 6:8-13).

1. Five is the number of GRACE. The fifth time his name occurs in the Bible it says, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8).

1. Five is the number of GRACE. The fifth time his name occurs in the Bible it says, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8).

2. Six is the number of MAN. The sixth time his name occurs in the Bible it says, “This is the genealogy of Noah” (Gen. 6:9).

2. Six is the number of MAN. The sixth time his name occurs in the Bible it says, “This is the genealogy of Noah” (Gen. 6:9).

3. Seven is the number of PERFECTION. The seventh time his name occurs in the Bible it says, “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations.”

3. Seven is the number of PERFECTION. The seventh time his name occurs in the Bible it says, “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations.”

4. Eight is the number of NEW BEGINNINGS. The eighth time his name occurs in the Bible it says, “Noah walked with God.”

4. Eight is the number of NEW BEGINNINGS. The eighth time his name occurs in the Bible it says, “Noah walked with God.”

5. Nine is the number of FRUITFULNESS. The ninth time his name occurs in the Bible it says, “And Noah begot three sons.”

5. Nine is the number of FRUITFULNESS. The ninth time his name occurs in the Bible it says, “And Noah begot three sons.”

V. How is the Ark seen as a type of the Church?

V. How is the Ark seen as a type of the Church?

The ark of Noah was the place of God’s provision or place of refuge from the coming judgment.

The ark of Noah was the place of God’s provision or place of refuge from the coming judgment.

A. The ark provides us with a wonderful type of the Church.

A. The ark provides us with a wonderful type of the Church.

1. It was built by God’s initiative (Mt. 16:18).

1. It was built by God’s initiative (Mt. 16:18).

2. It was designed by God. God provided the pattern.

2. It was designed by God. God provided the pattern.

3. It was made up of many trees built together (I Pet. 2:5).

3. It was made up of many trees built together (I Pet. 2:5).

4. It had many rooms or compartments (Gen. 6:14; John 14:2, 23).

4. It had many rooms or compartments (Gen. 6:14; John 14:2, 23).5. It had an atonement (pitch) covering (Gen. 6:14).

5. It had an atonement (pitch) covering (Gen. 6:14).

6. It only had one door into it (Gen. 6:16; John 14:6).

6. It only had one door into it (Gen. 6:16; John 14:6).

7. It was a place of the presence of God (Mt. 18:20; Eph. 2:22).

7. It was a place of the presence of God (Mt. 18:20; Eph. 2:22).

8. It was available for clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:9-16).

8. It was available for clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:9-16).

9. It was a place of food or provision.

9. It was a place of food or provision.

10. It was the God ordained means for people to escape judgment (Compare Acts 27:31).

10. It was the God ordained means for people to escape judgment (Compare Acts 27:31).

B. The ark was big enough to fulfill its purpose.

B. The ark was big enough to fulfill its purpose.

1. It was measured in cubits.1. It was measured in cubits.

a. It was 30 cubits high, 50 cubits wide and 300 cubits long. A cubit is approximately 18 inches or one half of a meter.

a. It was 30 cubits high, 50 cubits wide and 300 cubits long. A cubit is approximately 18 inches or one half of a meter.

b. It would be approximately 15 meters high, 25 meters wide and 150 meters long.

b. It would be approximately 15 meters high, 25 meters wide and 150 meters long.

2. It was a big box. 2. It was a big box.

a. The cubic volume of the ark would be approximately 1,500,000 cubic feet or 56,250 cubic meters.

a. The cubic volume of the ark would be approximately 1,500,000 cubic feet or 56,250 cubic meters.b. This size would be equivalent to approximately 522 standard box cars or nearly 600 standard size shipping containers.

b. This size would be equivalent to approximately 522 standard box cars or nearly 600 standard size shipping containers.

c. It has been estimated that this size would accommodate approximately 125,000 sheep.

c. It has been estimated that this size would accommodate approximately 125,000 sheep.

C. The ark was prepared in advance of the flood (Genesis 5:32 with Genesis 7:6).

C. The ark was prepared in advance of the flood (Genesis 5:32 with Genesis 7:6).

VI. What are the theories concerning the “giants” of Genesis 6?

VI. What are the theories concerning the “giants” of Genesis 6? There are two primary issues and three main theories involved. All of the theories have difficulties with which to deal.

There are two primary issues and three main theories involved. All of the theories have difficulties with which to deal.

A. View #1A. View #1

1. This view is that the sons of God were the offspring of the godly line and the daughters of men were individuals from the ungodly line.

1. This view is that the sons of God were the offspring of the godly line and the daughters of men were individuals from the ungodly line.2. The problem with this view is that is does not explain the unique nature of the offspring created from their union. Some have suggested that “giants” merely means “tyrants” and that “mighty men” means “champions.” However, it still does not explain why these offspring are singled out as men of renown.

2. The problem with this view is that is does not explain the unique nature of the offspring created from their union. Some have suggested that “giants” merely means “tyrants” and that “mighty men” means “champions.” However, it still does not explain why these offspring are singled out as men of renown.

B. View #2 B. View #2

1. This view is that the sons of God were fallen angelic beings who somehow interacted sexually with women of the human race producing an unusual offspring.

1. This view is that the sons of God were fallen angelic beings who somehow interacted sexually with women of the human race producing an unusual offspring.

2. The problem with this view is whether or not such a union between a human being and a spirit being is possible.

2. The problem with this view is whether or not such a union between a human being and a spirit being is possible.