NOAH'S FLOOD

GENESIS 6:1-11:9

KEY VERSE 7:23

Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.

** SIN AND THE FLOOD (6:1-9:28)

Read verses 1-4.  Who are "the sons of God" and "the daughters of men"?  What two standards does this passage use to show the corruption of Noah's time (2,4)? 

v1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, v2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. v3 Then the Lord said, "My Spirit will not content with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years." v4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days - and also afterward - when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. 

a)  The sons of God are the descendants of Seth, the line of faith.

b) The daughters of men are the descendants of Cain, the line of disobedience.

Always there are two lines, the line of Seth and the line of Cain.  The Bible calls the line of faith "the sons of God", and the line of disobedience "the daughters of men."  In God's eyes, we who live by faith in God are totally different from the worldly people.  God calls us "sons" or "daughters".

 

People's view point of marriage and who were star figures.

First, the standard of their view point of marriage was outward appearance only.  Read verse.

"the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose." 

The standard of their marriage partner was how sexy, or how beautiful, or how attractive.  They did not consider what kind of person she was or her spirituality.  Foxy women or sexy women or beautiful women were regarded as the best marriage partners.

They married whomever they liked.  They had many wives.

Marriage became the means of gratifying the desires of their flesh.  It was not for God or by God, but for their sinful desires.  They abused marriage, the gift of God.

  

Who are the most desirable marriage partners nowadays?  Whom do you regard desirable as your marriage partner?  Through seeing the view point of marriage, we can measure the spirituality of this generation and of myself as well.

Second, the Nephilim, the giant tribes and the heroes were famous. 

They were the strong soldiers.  These strong muscle men were praised and respected.  Men's future dream was to be like them.

Among brothers, foxy women or pretty women were popular.  And among sisters, muscle men like bodybuilders or sports stars were popular.  A person of noble character or spiritual person was not regarded at all.  The society was the flesh-oriented.

Who are heroes nowadays?  Movie stars, music stars, and sports stars like Miky.  Completely flesh-oriented too.  

 

When we see the U.S.A with these two standards, we can see where the U.S.A is.  The level of America is not that different from that of Noah's time. 

What were the results of their corruption (3,5,6,7)?  Read verse 2 once again.  What does the Bible point out as the cause of the total corruption of Noah's time?

v5 The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. v6 The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. v7 So the Lord said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth - men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air - for I am grieved that I gave made them. 

First, God's Spirit would not contend with men forever.  Read verse 3. 

Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

"Contend with" means to plead a cause.  Since people chose to pursue things of the flesh only, the Holy Spirit could not help but leave them alone.  Look at Romans 1:28.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

Because they were determined to do what was sinful, God gave them over to do whatever they wanted to do.  This was God's punishment.

The phrase "his days will be a hundred and twenty years" means 120 years' grace period.  Even though they were determined to do evil, God did not destroy them right away.  Rather, He gave them some period of time to repent.

Second, their life became full of wickedness, and violence.  Read verses 5 and 11.

"The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time." 

"Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence." 

People left God because they did not want to be bothered by God's law, but wanted to do whatever they desired.  They thought that they would be happy if they lived without God.  But that was not the case.

When the people of Noah's days did not keep the spiritual relationship with God, their life became full of wickedness and the society full of violence.  The earth became a very difficult place to live in because of  murdering, robbing, theft, deceiving, gang problems etc etc.  So people should carry a gas gun all the time.  People could not walk the street at night.  This is today's America.

 

Third, God was grieved that He had made man on the earth, his heart was filled with pain.  Verse 6.

When people did not live according to God's creation will, they became sources of sadness and pain to God instead of pleasing God.  We should live a spiritual life according to God's creation will.

Fourth, God's punishment.  Read verse 7. 

So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth-- men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air-- for I am grieved that I have made them."

Verse 2.  

"the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose." 

All people in the Noah's time were destined to destruction because the sons of God did not keep their spirituality but compromised.  The responsibility for the corruption of all the people in Noah's days was on the believers. 

When the believers do not keep the function of preservatives, there is no other way to keep this world from corruption.  We have a great responsibility for the world as Christians.  

  

Read verses 8-12.  What kind of person was Noah (8-10)?  How much was the world corrupt (11, 12)? 

v8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. v9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. v10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. v11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence. v12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 

a)  He was a righteous man. 

Righteousness means a right relationship with God.  While others were living flesh-oriented life, he struggled hard to live according to God's will.  Maybe, he looked so strange in the eyes of the people.  Certainly people must have ridiculed him so much.

b)  He was blameless among the people of his time.   

He lived a honest life and pure life as much as nobody could find any fault from him.

While others were deceiving for their selfish gain, it must not have been easy for Noah to live blamelessly.  He must have tasted loss a lot.

c)  He walked with God. 

While all others were walking with the world following the value system of the world, he struggled not to walk with the world.  He valued what God values and struggle to follow God's direction.  

Because he had the same physical desires like other people, it was not easy for him to deny it and follow God-centered life.  Also there was peer pressure.  But enduring all the difficulties, he lived God centered life before God.

Americans have a mountainous peer pressure.  Because of this peer pressure, many people compromise their faith in God with the world and go crazy.  But even if Noah was the only God-worshiper, he kept his faith in God.  He did not compromise at all.  Let's learn his fighting spirit without compromising.

d)  He had three sons. 

He maintained a normal life.  He married.  He got a wife and children and a job.  But one thing was different.  He lived for God according to God's creation will.  He had a personal faith in God. 

6:11,12 full of violence; corrupt their ways. 

Violence is clear symptom of sin. Sexual immorality and violence could be the major sins.

What instructions did God give to Noah (14)?  Draw diagrams for the Noah's ark (13-21).  How did Noah obey God's command?

v13 So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. v14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. v15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. v16 Make a roof for it and finish the ark to within 18 inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. v17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. v18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark - you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. v19 You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. v20 Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. v21 You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them."

To build an ark and enter with animals.

Detailed information. 

This was first to see if Noah obey exactly.

Because God's works only can be done according to God's way.

Salvation comes from God's way and direction.  We must follow God's blue print in achieving our salvation.

6:22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Here, three words stand out.

  1) did - obedience     

   2) everything - completely, without missing     

   3) just as _ exactly, as instructed by God.

He was a man of obedience.  Obedience is the fruit of faith.  

In Hebrews 11:7 shows us how Noah could build an ark. 

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

He could build an ark because he feared God. - in holy fear.

He could build an ark because he believed God's judgment of flood.

 

Figuratively speaking, our life on earth is the life of preparing the ark of salvation.  We are preparing the ark for our own salvation during our life time believing God's judgment through Jesus' second coming.

When the ark was completed, what did the Lord say to Noah (7:1-4)?  How did he obey (5)?  Draw a time-line showing the critical paths of the Flood (7:6-8:19).  What was the result of the Flood?  What does this event show about God?

Go into the ark. - The ark was built to save Noah and his family and animals.

Noah obeyed all.  

The flood came in 600 years second month 17th (7:11) - 2/17

  Rain for forty days and forty nights (7:12)        - 40 

   150 days of flooding (7:24)                          - 150    

   At the end of 150 days water had gone down (8:3)     

   The ark came to on Mt. Ararat. (8:4)                 - 7/17

   The water continually receded on the first day of the 10th month (8:5)                                 - 10/1

   Tops of mountains were visible. (8:6)                - 10/1  

   After 40 days Noah opened the window (8:6)           - 40 

   He waited seven more days (8:10)                     - 7

   He waited seven more days (8:12)                     - 7

   601 years water dried up from the earth (8:13)    - 1/1/601 

   The earth was dried out 2/27 (8:14)                  - 2/27/601    

Total one year and 10 days. (7:11-8:14)

The record is so detail and specific. It shows the importance of this event and the reality of the flood.  

7:21, 22, 23 "Everything" "Every living thing" was repeated.  No exception, all died.  This shows the truth that once God starts his judgment, there is no chance to repent.  Once He shuts the door, no one can open it.  Read 2 Cor 6:2.

For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

In the time of God's favor, we must have salvation  Once He starts his judgment, it is too late and God's judgment will be thorough.

 

[Note: Where was the water gathered when God sent the wind over the earth and the waters receded?  The bible scholars say that it became the ice of the South Pole and of the North Pole.  If it is melt again, the earth will be flooded again.  But it will not happen again because God promised not to wipe out the world with the water.]

After the Flood what did Noah do (8:20)?  Describe God's covenant with Noah and his descendents (8:21-9:17).  Why did Noah curse Canaan?  How did Noah bless the rest of his sons (9:18-27)?

 

8:20.  He built an alter and offered thanks offering.  This was the first thing he did.  Noah knew he was saved by God's grace.

a)  Not to destroy by flood.  The rainbow is sign for people will not fear whenever it rains.

b)  God reestablished order between man and animals based on fear.(9:2)  Meat was given as food. (9:3)

c)  God taught the value of man's life in 3 ways.

 

no meat with blood.   

capital punishment.  Read verse 6.

3)  God swears not to destroy by flood. 

God had to teach this, because all died. Man may think man's life is nothing. But it is not true.

d)  God's blessing upon mankind:  Read verse 7.

As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.

As God started his blessing with Adam, now God restarts his blessed work with Noah.  This was a new beginning.

9:21,22 For he did not honor his father Noah.

He established Shem and Japheth over Ham.

** THE TOWER OF BABEL (11:1-26)

Why did the people build a tower (11:1-9)?  What was the slogan they had in building the tower?  What was their true motive in building the tower?   How did the Lord frustrate their plan (5-9)?  What can we learn about the Lord?

v1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. v2 As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. v3 They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. v4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not to scattered over the face of the whole earth." v5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. v6 The Lord said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. v7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." v8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. v9 That is why it was called Babel - because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Verse 4. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not to be scattered over the face of the whole earth." 

They built a city, and the tower probably was a symbol of the city.

Two reasons they had:  First, to make a name for themselves, and second, not to be scattered over the face of the earth.

They said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city."  It means, "Together."   

In verse 3, they said the same thing, "Come, let's make bricks." 

So they gathered together under the name of "cooperation" and "unity."  

First, "build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to heaven."  

They wanted to compete with God.  They wanted to show that they could establish a city beautiful and peaceful without God.  They did not regard God as an object of worshiping and praising but an object of competing.

Second, "so that we may make a name for ourselves." 

They built a city and a tower for their glory instead of God's glory.  God created them for his glory.  But now they changed the purpose of their society completely.   

Third, "not be scattered over the face of the earth" 

This means to live peacefully with each other in the society.  They wanted to make a city where they could live their lives peacefully without God.  Driving out God's name from the society and living happy life all by themselves was the purpose of building a city and the tower.

It was a great and systematical rebellion against God, the Creator under the name of world peace, cooperation and unity.  It was a society-wide, nation-wide and world-wide systematical rebellion against God.  This is the true identity of humanism. 

This desire to establish a happy society without God has been on earth consistently, because it is Satan's desire. Today we can see this rebellion very easily in any nation.  They offer so beautiful slogans like peace, mercy, diseaseless world, "We are the world", "global family", or "global village", etc.  Olympic stands on this line too.  Their purpose is to establish a happy and peaceful society without God on earth binding all people with some noble slogan. In people's eyes, the Olympic or U.N or some other noble groups look very good.  The history of rebellion is going on even today, and God knows it very well.

By confusing their languages.  

Even though God knew their evil purpose, he endured it.  God kept his promise not to destroy them by flood.  So instead of destroying them, He stopped what they were doing by confusing their language.  No more unity in human society.   

God is faithful to keep his promise. 

Conclusion:  

Man is evil all the time.  Adam disobeyed.  Cain killed and repulsed.  Lamech praised his murdering.  All the people of Noah's days were corrupt.  After being punished, they rebelled against God very systemically building a tower.  But God did not punish them.  He showed his mercy upon them.  Most of all, God is waiting for people to come to repent all the time.         

    

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