Read the Passage: Genesis 6–7

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Genesis 6-7

Extent of the Fall (6:1–12)

Gen. 6:1–4 cites interaction between “the sons of God . . . [and] the daughters of men” (Gen. 6:2). While this narrative is brief, from later biblical commentary (cf. 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6), it seems likely this text is describing fallen angels and human women cohabiting and procreating. While this is certainly an unusual and obscure event, observe that when angels are physically manifested in Scripture, it is always with a male body, and Matt. 22:30 merely teaches that angels don’t marry among themselves. It seems Moses’ point in this narrative is not to give details about this event, but to demonstrate the extent of the fall—that is, the entrance of sin into the world even negatively impacted the angels. Next, given the scope of sin in the world, God declared in Gen. 6:3 that he would judge the world within 120 years. The giants referred to in this passage seem to be the offspring of the unholy union between angels and women.

Gen. 6:5–12 gives more information about the time during the 120 years prior to the flood. One of clearest verses in Scripture about the sinful state of man is Gen. 6:5, where God declares, “Every intent of the thoughts of [man’s] heart was only evil continually” (cf. Gen. 6:11–12; 8:21; Isa. 64:6; Eccl. 9:3; Luke 18:19; John 15:5; Rom. 8:8). Given the extent of sin in the created order, God “was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart” (Gen. 6:6). Therefore, God purposed to destroy mankind and all of the living creatures. Yet, as a means of hope, Moses records, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8). This is the same Noah, first mentioned at Gen. 5:29, whose name means “rest.” Noah received grace from God not because of his works, but on account of his faith and trust in God for His imputed righteousness (cf. Gen. 6:9).

Plans for the Ark (6:13–22)

Lest we think Noah was saved by his obedience, Heb. 11:7 later reveals that Noah was a man of faith, who feared God. Indeed, while there was much wickedness on the earth during Noah’s day, there were also some who called on the name of the Lord (cf. Gen. 4:26). Furthermore, observe that Noah is mentioned elsewhere in Scripture as being similar to Daniel and Job (cf. Ezek. 14:14, 20). In Gen. 6:13–17 God revealed His intent to Noah to destroy the earth, but to spare Noah and his family. God then gave Noah detailed instructions about how to build an ark for the protection of himself, his family, two of each kind of living animal, as well as food for all. Noah must have been encouraged to learn that God was making a covenant of protection with him (Gen. 6:18), as well as the fact that the animals specified by God “will come to you” (Gen. 6:20), rather than vice-versa.

Arrival of the Flood (7:1–24)

While God had told Noah he was going to destroy the earth (cf. Gen. 6:7, 13), and God had instructed Noah to build an ark, it wasn’t until Gen. 7:4 that God mentioned sending rain and a flood. Some have suggested that rain was unknown before the flood, although the text does not give this detail. Furthermore, the narrative does not explain other aspects of Noah’s life during the building of the ark; however, later, Peter refers to Noah as “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Pet. 2:5), which may indicate that Noah was preaching the gospel message to the lost world during the 120 years before the flood. As God spoke about the flood in this passage, He also revealed that Noah was to take seven pairs of clean animals on the ark, and one pair of unclean animals. It seems likely these extra animals were to be used for sacrifice (cf. Gen. 8:20) and perhaps even for food (cf. Gen. 9:3).

Gen. 7:7–24 records a number of details about the arrival of the great flood. Gen. 7:7–9 reports that Noah’s family and the animals safely boarded the ark. Gen. 7:10–12 then notes that seven days after boarding the ark, the flood began when “the foundations of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened” (Gen. 7:11). Said differently, the waters came from below and above and lasted for forty days. Regarding the boarding of the ark, Gen. 7:16 records the interesting detail, “The Lord shut them in.” This speaks both to the safety of those on the ark, as well as the final judgment of those outside the ark. Finally, Gen. 7:17–24 addresses the comprehensive nature of the flood. Here we learn that the flood lasted forty days (cf. Gen. 7:17) and the waters took 150 days to begin to recede (cf. Gen. 7:24; 8:3). As was God’s intent, all living creatures were destroyed.

Application Questions:

1. Why did God wait for thousands of years to send the promised Messiah into the world in order to rescue mankind?
2. Given the widespread effects of sin upon the created order, why did God wait 120 years to send the great flood (cf. 1 Pet. 3:20)?
3. Given the bleak description of the sinful state of mankind in Gen. 6:5, how can we explain God’s decision to spare Noah?
4. Is it possible that two of every kind of living animal (excluding aquatic creatures) would fit on the ark?
5. If Noah preached for 120 years prior to the great flood, why did no one believe him apart from his own family?