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Response
Genesis 6 presents the sorrowful depiction of humanity’s condition before the global flood in Noah’s time. Genesis 6:5 reveals, “The LORD observed how extensive the wickedness of mankind had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the human heart was consistently evil.” The extent of sin and depravity within the human populace was astounding: individuals harbored evil thoughts continuously. The wickedness of humanity would have led to suffering, violence, and death. Vulnerable or sickly individuals (such as infants, children, women, and the disabled) would have been exploited and constantly endangered due to the malevolent deeds of others.
Moreover, “The sons of God noticed that the daughters of humans were attractive, and they took any they desired as wives” «that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. », (Genesis 6:2). In the Hebrew language, these “sons of God” were referred to as “bene elohim.” This term is commonly associated with angels, as seen in Job 1:6. Genesis appears to suggest that there was a physical union between angels and human women. The unnatural offspring of this union were known as the “Nephilim” «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). The term Nephilim is a direct transliteration from Hebrew. The ancient root of the word suggests a “fall.” Regardless of its precise meaning (some translations render it as “giants”), Scripture portrays the Nephilim as “the heroes of old, men of renown.” Certain theologians speculate that God could have simplyWhy not allow this corrupt offspring to exist on the earth, and that was part of the reason for the flood.
What can be understood without question is that the world that was then, the world of Noah, was incredibly corrupt and perverted. Genesis 6:6 tells us that “the LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.” The Lord’s “regret” is unlike ours. Creating mankind in the image of God was not a “mistake” on the part of the Lord. The Hebrew word nahem can also be translated as “grieved.” The depraved actions of mankind grieved God in His most holy heart.
God responded to man’s sin in a holy and righteous manner, but also in a way that salvaged mankind. “So the LORD said, ‘I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created— and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground— for I regret that I have made them.’ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:7-8). Yes, all people on earth died except the eight people who were found righteous in the eyes of God: Noah, Noah’s wife, and Noah’s three sons and their wives. Scripture indicates that Noah testified to the world about the coming flood for 120 years. The people who perished in the flood died because they refused to acknowledge God or seek His forgiveness. Noah, on the other hand, is described as righteous, blameless, and obedient in that he “walked with God” «These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. », (Genesis 6:9).
Noah and his family became our ancestors. The polluted, unrighteous population of the world of Noah disappeared from the earth. Mankind was salvaged, and from the line of righteous Noah came the Son of Man, Jesus Christ our Lord, who died to save those who call upon His name.
