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THAT IS ENOUGH
GENESIS 6:1-8
(Book study series – Genesis) Message no. 21
July 11, 2021 - SUN a.m.
Moses recorded this famous story not for the purpose of its fame in the world or its man’s interest, but because it contains theological importance. In this narrative story, the world was destroyed by flood because God reaches a point in which God says “that is enough.” This is
the record of God’s wrath. After the flood several years later, Jesus Christ promised the God’s wrath would again come and what would happen is like they were in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37; Luke 17:26). It’s a wake-up call for humanity that the judgment is coming, the wrath of God would strike again.
PROPOSITION: WHEN WICKEDNESS REACHES A HIGHEST FULL LEVEL THEN GOD POURS OUT HIS WRATH TO ALL EXCEPT THOSE WHO FOUND GRACE IN GOD’S EYES. This passage clearly illustrates that God’s mercy and grace reaches to the limits. When God saw that sin evil sin is enough, God seriously brings down His judgment to the sinner and to that wicked unrepentant wicked world. I – WILLFUL GODLESS STEP – v.1-2 Genesis 6:1-2 "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair: and they took them wives of all which they chose." Here we can see the willful godless activity of the godly lineage of Seth
Who were the sons of God and the daughters of men in this passage?
The are five views on the identity of the sons of God:
1) They were godly descendants of Seth (the godly line) intermarrying with wicked descendants of Cain (the ungodly line).
2) Fallen angels – demons who married women.
3) Lesser gods - spirits of famous demons.
4) Despots - demons indwelling powerful rulers.
5) Demons who can possess humans.
Facts that help us to reach the right conclusion: a. The Old Testament often refers to the godly as "God's sons" (Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 32:5; Psalms 73:15; Psalms 80:17; Hosea 1:10). This would have to be an exception to the use of "sons of God" as it occurs here in the Hebrew, refers only to angels in the book of Job in the Old Testament (Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7) but no in the book of Genesis. Angels do not reproduce (Matthew 22:30). In Matthew 22:30, indicates that angels do not marry. On the other hand, those theologians who holds to the doctrine that the sons of men in Genesis 6 are the fallen angels, strongly claims that Matthew 22:30 are correct and only true to other angels but does not includes the fallen angels, or the demons. They said it is plausible that angels are capable of taking on human form, even to the point of replicating human sexuality and possibly even reproduction. That is false assumption, false allegations, false conclusion. The Bible gives us no reason to believe that angels have a gender, angels are sexless or are able to reproduce or procreate with human females. Therefore Matthew 22:30 includes and covers all class of angels. However, some argue that while angels are spiritual beings (Hebrews 1:14), they said that angels can appear in human, physical form (Mark 16:5) and because of that they continued their arguments that the men of Sodom and Gomorrah wanted to have sex with the two angels who were with Lot (Genesis 19:1-5). But think for a moment and listen carefully, the men of Sodom and Gomorrah are the people who wanted to have sex with the visiting angels who were with Lot and obviously it is not the two angels who wanted to have sex with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the case of Genesis 6 it was the “sons of God” who takes the action while in Genesis 19 it was the men of Sodom and Gomorrah. Therefore, in both situation there was no angels involved, it is very clear it is all about human intermarriage with human. We strongly reject the view in Genesis 6:1-4 involves fallen angels mating with human females. No way, it is false, entirely wrong.
b. Moses had already established the concept of a godly line and an ungodly line in Genesis (Genesis 4:16— Genesis 5:32). But this does not mean that godly Sethites are in view here necessarily. Sethites are not yet involved on those times with the concept of godly line marrying with the ungodly line until Genesis 6. c. Sonship is common in the Old Testament. These "sons" could be elect angels who fell. There are no other references to angels in the context here in Genesis. The New Testament passages like 2 Peter 2:4-5 and Jude 6-7 appear to identify angels with this incident. These passages probably refer to the fall of Satan and had nothing to say about intermarriage with the humans. d. Warnings against marriages between believers and unbelievers are common in the Pentateuch and throughout Scripture, and this seems to be in view here. The warning seems to be against more abnormal forms of intermarriage than just marriage between believers and unbelievers. There are no warnings in the whole scriptures against marriages between angels and humans, but the scriptures strongly oppose marriages between the believer and the unbeliever. Nothing more than that. Conclusion: The sons of God were the godly descendants of Seth intermarrying with the daughters of men that refers to the wicked descendants of Cain. A. Start of the Activity – v.1
Genesis 6:1 “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them”
Genesis 6:1 “Nagsimulang dumami ang mga tao sa balat ng lupa at nagkaanak sila ng mga babae.” PILIPINO VERSION
Here we can see when the act of the sons of God begin.
This activity of the Sethites occurred when the population was large and when there are lots of women.
Better monitoring and control is working effectively when there is small in numbers but when things became larger, things got out of control. There were difficulties to handle and rule when things grow in large number. That is exactly what happened during that time according to verse 1 “when men began to multiply on the face of the earth.”
B. Sight that is Attracted – v.2a
Genesis 6:2a “That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair.” KJV
Genesis 6:2a “Nakita ng mga anak ng Diyos na magaganda ang mga anak na babae ng mga tao.” PILIPINO VERSION
Here we can see the description of what the sons of God saw.
The word “fair” in KJV or “beautiful” in NASB and NKJV or “attractive” in ESV is a word that refers to physical body. That is the attractive appearance of the daughters of men that attracts and stimulated these Sethites.
C. Sinfulness of the Action – v.2b
Genesis 6:2b “and they took them wives of all which they chose.”
Genesis 6:2b “At sila'y kumuha ng kani-kanilang mga asawa mula sa lahat ng kanilang pinili.” PILIPINO VERSION
Here we can see what these sons of God did when they saw the daughters of men that they were beautiful.
These goldy lineage of Seth took wives of all whom they chose from the woman of Cain’s lineage.
These Sethites had pick the type of women whom they want and none were turned down. That’s sinful action against the forbidden marriage between the believers and unbelievers which is commanded in the whole scriptures that were violated or disobeyed.
Before Christ returns there will be assumptions based on our passage:
1) The population will increase
2) The emphasis of believers conforming to the world increases (believers unequally yoked together with unbelievers).
3) The idolatrous worship of false gods increases (Example: Intermarriage of believers with unbelievers like Solomon).
II – WARNING OF GOD’S SPIRIT – v.3 Genesis 6:3 “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”
Genesis 6:3 “At sinabi ng Panginoon, “Ang aking Espiritu ay hindi laging mananatili sa tao, sapagkat siya'y laman. Subalit ang kanyang mga araw ay magiging isandaan at dalawampung taon.” TAGALOG VERSION
Here we see the warning of the Lord to this wicked world.
God is so gracious with His longsuffering giving humankind 120 years grace period to repent before the flood. That 120 long years are evidence of the grace of God. Probably they do not make indication of reduction regarding the normal human lifespan to 120 years. God’s serious judgment will not forever permit His Spirit giving life to enliven those evil people who do not care for godliness, peacefulness, orderliness in the world they lived. People who do not care to live and to love and fear the Lord. The bread of life (Genesis 2:7; Psalm 104:29-30) remains for God to give and to recall. Man’s attempt to become more than he is results in his becoming less.
The Hebrew word “strive” in verse 3 literally means to be low, to be depressed, to be inferior.
There are several ways of interpretation to this verse 3, but the point is clear which seems the Lord is giving His warning that His Spirit, seemed become the inferior power at the time of Noah, would only be so for 120 more years. In other words, God would give man 120 more years to repent and then God’s judgment would come. The proclamation of God’s Word through Enoch and Noah is one of the ways the Spirit of God ministered to people and gives warn. This coming judgement of God predicted because the wickedness on earth is great and reach the highest level in verse 5 (I Peter 3:18-20; II Peter 2:5; Jude 14-15).
III – WORLD OF GODLESS SOCIETY – v. 4 Genesis 6:4 “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”
Genesis 6:4 “Ang mga higante ay nasa lupa nang mga araw na iyon, at kahit pagkatapos noon. Sila ang naging anak nang makipagtalik ang mga anak ng Diyos sa mga anak na babae ng tao. Ang mga ito ang naging makapangyarihan nang unang panahon, mga bantog na mandirigma.” PILIPINO VERSION
In verse 4 we will see the development of evil society.
The word “giants” in KJV; or “Nephilim” in NASB; ESV and “mighty” and “renown” describe the highest ranked, the most famous, reputable, powerful men who lives on this earth. Term used in verse 4 “giants” or “Nephilim” does not refer to the physical stature as to social stature. The giants or Nephilim were on the earth both before and after the marriages of the “sons of God” with the “daughters of men” so therefore it is unbiblical interpretation and erroneous doctrine to say that the “sons of God” in verse 2 who had intermarriage with the daughters of men were the fallen angels or demons which resulted to a big and tall individual creature. No it is a false interpretation because the Nephilim already existed before the intermarriage between the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men” happened in Genesis 6. It says in Genesis 6:4 “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men,” There were already Nephilim or giants existing before and after the intermarriage between the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men.” It says in verse 4 they were “mighty…men of renown” means these giants or Nephilim were tyrants, godless military leaders, powerful individuals, probably violent attackers who were controlling the world, but God's grace keep on warning them 120 long years then they would be completely destroyed by flood. Don’t get surprised to discover that those who are not right with God become giants in the world.
The men that Moses sent to spy out the land later described the “men of great size” in Canaan as Nephilim (Numbers 13:32). Probably not because of their height but because of their violence. The translation “giants” is most unfortunate, it was originated with the Septuagint (gigantes). It does not follow from Numbers 13:33, even if there the attackers should also happen to have been giants. They were “men of great size” not because of their physical size but because they were violent attackers that describes the development of evil godless society
IV – WICKEDNESS IN GOD’S SIGHT – v.5-6 Genesis 6:5-6 "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continally:6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”
Genesis 6:5-6 “Nakita ng Panginoon na napakasama na ng tao sa lupa, at ang bawat haka ng mga pag-iisip ng kanyang puso ay palagi na lamang masama. 6 Nalungkot ang Panginoon na kanyang nilalang ang tao sa lupa at nalumbay ang kanyang puso.” PILIPINO VERSION
Here we can see the evaluation of God when He saw the wickedness of man in the earth was great and evil continually. Look the very touching, emotional evaluation of the Lord when He saw the wickedness of man in the earth:
1. The wickedness of man was great, (The Lord saw it. The word “great” means evil was vast, large) – v.5a
2. The wickedness of man’s heart was only evil continually. (man was totally depraved) – v.5b
3. The wickedness of man caused God to regretted that He made man. (The Lord was sorry means sorrowfully groans) – v.6a
4. The wickedness of man grieves the heart of God (God is very emotional, God’s heart crying) – v.6b
Verse 5 “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” The second reason for the flood was the sinfulness of humanity generally.
It says “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth” – it does mean that men’s and women’s actions were very wicked.
It says “that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart” – it does mean that their thoughts and affections, their mind-set, attitudes and motives.
It says “was only evil continually” – It does mean were completely evil by this time (Genesis 6:11-12; Romans 1:18-32).
Verse 6 “And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”
It says “And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth” ESV; “The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth” NASB – It does mean that God was sorry that He had made humankind, because people generally did not want a relationship with Him. They insisted on living life independent of God, and consequently were destroying themselves in sin. God experienced heart-piercing sorrow over what His special creation had become. This is an anthropopathism: Moses describes that the Lord having human emotions (Genesis 9:15-16). Remember God is not a robot. God is a personal, living God and not a static principle. God engages intimately with his creation while having supernatural purposes. Our God is affected and pained by the rebellion of sinners incomparably. We need to acknowledge that God’s emotion does not diminish the immutability of God’s purposes of all His promises. Rather, God’s feelings and actions toward men, like His judgment and His forgiveness are always consistent with His essential person as just and gracious God (James 1:17).
V – WRATH OF GOD SERIOUSNESS – v.7 Genesis 6:7 “And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.”
Genesis 6:7 “Kaya't sinabi ng Panginoon, “Lilipulin ko ang tao na aking nilalang sa ibabaw ng lupa—ang tao, hayop, ang mga gumagapang, at ang mga ibon sa himpapawid, sapagkat ako'y nalulungkot na nilalang ko sila.” PILIPINO VERSION
Verse 7 is another important early prophecy. God proceeded to fulfill it literally.
Here we can see the serious judgment of the Lord as God said He will destroy all that is the earth He created.
The word “blot out man” in NASB and ESV means to lay something to total waste, to utterly “destroy man” in KJV
Listen, think of this, God repented that He had made man; but we never find God repenting that He redeemed man.
VI - WALKS THAT GRACE SAVED – v.8 Genesis 6:8 “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” KJV; NKJV
Genesis 6:8 “Subalit si Noe ay nakatagpo ng biyaya sa paningin ng Panginoon.” PILIPINO VERSION
Here we can see that Noah found grace or favour in the eyes of the Lord.
At this time there were two lines of people on earth, these are the line of Cain (the ungodly line) and the line of Seth (the godly line). Both these lineages had apparently become completely corrupt, with the exception of one man, and his name was Noah. Noah was the one exception to universal godlessness during that time. While the rest of the society was pursuing godlessness and about to be judged by God, but Noah would pursue godliness and would be spared because of the grace of God.
The name “Noah” may mean “grieved” (the niphal form in Hebrew) or “rest” or “comfort” (the piel form in Hebrew). There is a word play in the Hebrew text (an anagram). Interestingly, the same consonants of Noah’s name (nh) in the reverse order mean “grace” (hn). Noah “found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” As God sifted through the hearts and minds of people, God discovered that there is one man who was still alive for whom and to whom He would grant His grace.
All of God’s people can identify with Noah, they have all been recipients of God’s grace.
“Favor” equals “grace”. The word “grace” in KJV and NKJV or translated “favor” in NASB and ESV, this is the first mention of this word in the Old Testament and first appears in the Bible right here in verse 8, though we have seen many examples of God’s grace thus far, and it is the key to escaping the judgment of God. It is only by God’s grace that we can escape God’s judgment on the wicked. At that time there was one man still interested in walking with God and that was Noah (Genesis 6:9), but although Noah walked with God, he still needed the grace of God. Noah is a picture of a sinner saved by grace.
Without God’s grace the world is hopeless. Idolatry and immorality pain God and incur God’s judgment, and that man can only escape by God’s provision of salvation. Now, how can a sinful man, a sinner under the sentence of death because of sin escape the wrath of God? How can we escape the eternal judgment of the Almighty God? To escape the wrath of God we must be the recipient of the grace of God and God’s grace is found by faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24, 26).
There are notable characteristics that existed in Noah’s day that will increase and worsen as the return of Christ draws nearer: 1. Preoccupation of bodily appetites: People lives were preoccupied with their physical desires - Luke 17:27
2. Progression in modern technology: World’s advance technology increases rapidly – Genesis 4:22
3. Possession of materialism: Attitudes and interests are possessive materialistically – Luke 17:28
4. Pedantic minded: Word-wide uniformitarian philosophies – Hebrews 11:7
5. Pleasures excessiveness: Devoted to pleasure and comfort extremely – Genesis 4:21; II Timothy 3:1,4
6. Portrayal of uninterest for God: Apathetic for God in either belief or Christian conduct – II Peter 2:5; Jude 15
7. Personal impurity in Marriage: Do not give importance to the Sacredness of the marriage relationship – Matthew 24:38
8. Proud rejection of the Word of God – The whole inspired Scriptures is rejected – I Peter 3:19
9. Plan of Population explosion – There will be over population around the world – Genesis 6:1,11
10. Pandemonium worldwide – There will be widespread violence globally – Genesis 6:11, 13
11. Purely corrupted society – There will be corruption among leaders and governance of the society – Genesis 6:12
12. Prefer sexual immorality – Allowed forbidden and illicit sexual activity – Genesis 4:19; Genesis 6:2
13. Practice blasphemous words – People act and spoke widespread blasphemy against God – Jude 15
14. Perform satanic activity – Religious human organization exercised satanism and occultism – Genesis 6:1-4
15. Promulgate the abnormal depravity – make known to the public the systems and movements that promote the
abnormal depravity – Genesis 6:5-12
These are the pictures of world condition of today and it was reasonable to believe that God’s serious judgment is very near. God said “THAT IS ENOUGH”. Are you ready? Are you eternal secured?
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