Genesis 6:1-22
Genesis 6 begins revealing the utter depravity of man. "Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5. Continuing, "The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth." Genesis 6:11, 12.
Cain and Abel were the sons of Adam and Eve. Upset because the Lord did not respect his offering, Cain killed his brother. Genesis 4:1-8. Later a descendant of Cain arrives on the scene. His name is Lamech. He was a polygamist, who addressed his wives, "Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, even a young man for hurting me." Genesis 4:23. He had killed someone. It appears that violence just escalated without any restraint.
Did God care? Of course. "And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart." Genesis 6:6.
Nevertheless, judgment was forthcoming in the form of a deluge. The Lord said to Noah, "And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die." Genesis 6:17.
Yet we discover one man who found favor with God. His name is Noah, the son of Lamech. "Noah was a just man, perfect (or blameless or having integrity) in his generations. Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:9. Neither the younger generation nor the older generation corrupted his life. What an achievement in the dark days in which he lived!
The God who was grieved was also longsuffering. He warned, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." Genesis 6:3. The Lord gave the people one hundred and twenty years to turn to Him.
God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. A God of deliverance said to Noah, "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood...." The ark was to be about 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and six stories high. The apostle Peter referred to Noah as "a preacher of righteousness." 2 Peter 2:5. For years every hammer blow was a call to repentance. This just man, who walked with God, had no converts except those in his own family. In Hebrews 11:7 we read, "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith."
Jesus would remind us, "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." Matthew 24:37-39.
Lord, how grieved You must be with this generation! You are truly longsuffering and patient with us. In our own daily lives use us as preachers of righteousness. Move us with a godly reverence for You. In Jesus' name. Amen!
