When the Lord saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time, the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved. Then the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I created, off the face of the earth, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky—for I regret that I made them.” Noah, however, found favor with the Lord. —Genesis 6:5-8
“When mankind began to multiply on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful, and they took any they chose as wives for themselves. And the Lord said, “My Spirit will not remain with mankind forever, because they are corrupt. Their days will be 120 years.” —Genesis 6:1-3
“When the Lord saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time, the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved. Then the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I created, off the face of the earth, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky — for I regret that I made them.” —Genesis 6:5-7
“Noah, however, found favor with the Lord.” —Genesis 6:8
The story of the flood presents a deep, mysterious, and
God is
“When the Lord saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time, the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved.” —Genesis 6:5-6
“The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind.” —Psalm 14:2
“Yet he himself bore our sicknesses…he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.” —Isaiah 53:4-5
God is
“Then the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I created, off the face of the earth, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky — for I regret that I made them.” —Genesis 6:7
“This is the declaration of the Lord God — I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live.” —Ezekiel 33:11
“Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.” —Proverbs 3:11-12
God is
“Noah, however, found favor with the Lord. —Genesis 6:8
“My Spirit will not remain with mankind forever, because they are corrupt. Their days will be 120 years.” —Genesis 6:3
The way you view God is
“Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” —2 Timothy 1:10
For further study:
Scripture: Genesis 6-9; Luke 17:26-27; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:18-22
Resources: “God With Us” by Christoph Barth
Discussion questions:
How does it impact you to have a more “adult” view of the flood?
Do you view God’s punishments as flowing from his anger or his sadness?
How have you experienced God’s faithfulness, justice, and graciousness?
How do you live out God’s faithfulness, justice, and graciousness?
To prepare for next week: God’s Covenant with Noah; Genesis 9:8-17