The Flood (Qtr 2 - Week 4: 23 April)

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LMcDonald
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The Flood (Qtr 2 - Week 4: 23 April)

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Wk 4 The Flood.JPG
Key Text: “ ‘But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be’ ” (Matthew 24:37, NKJV)

After the events of the Creation and the Fall, the disobedience of our first parents escalated until the world was filled with corruption and wickedness. From the time of Cain and Abel, humanity was divided into two camps. It is interesting that each genealogical line is defined on the basis of their relationship with God. While the genealogy of Cain (Genesis 4:17–22) is introduced by his rejection of God (Genesis 4:16), the genealogy of Seth (Genesis 5:1–32) is introduced by the image of God (Genesis 5:1). This contrast explains why the line of Cain is later identified as “the daughters of men,” whereas the line of Seth is identified as “the sons of God” (Genesis 6:1, 2). No wonder God is worried when He observes that the two lines are getting mixed up, producing a new genealogical line that is in open rebellion against God. The phrase “took . . . for themselves” (Genesis 6:2, NKJV) suggests the intention of the “sons of God” to replace and counter God’s divine operation of marriage, as illustrated by the words “He took” the wife and brought her to Adam (Genesis 2:22). The “sons of God” want to take God’s place, an attitude that is reflected in the words “saw . . . that they were beautiful” (Genesis 6:2). In Hebrew, it is the same word tob, “good” (translated here “beautiful”) that is used, just as in God’s response to creation when He “saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). This replacement of God leads the “sons of God” to commit acts that are no longer in keeping with God’s laws in Creation, but in line with their own sinful desires.

Meanwhile, the use of the plural “wives” suggests the introduction of polygamy, and the phrase “of all whom they chose” suggests wild
and uncontrolled sexual activities outside of the divine Law. “Took . . .for themselves of all whom they chose” (Genesis 6:2, NKJV) has even the connotation of self-service, violence, and rape (see Genesis 39:14, 17). All these sexual acts were not just a repudiation of God but also abuse of women.

The biblical text reports that God saw the wickedness (Genesis 6:5). This is the second time that the biblical text reports God as the One who “sees” (compare Genesis 6:1–4). In parallel to the Creation account, the divine act of seeing immediately follows the divine word: “The Lord said . . .” (Genesis 6:3). “Then the Lord saw . . . the wickedness of man was great” (Genesis 6:5, NKJV). This line is a second echo to the refrain of Creation, “And God saw . . . that it was good” (Genesis 1:4). But here the original “good” (tob) of God’s creation has been replaced by what is contrary to it: wickedness (ra‘ah). God’s next comment is a tragic evaluation of the situation. The “great wickedness” does not refer just to some specific actions or occasional evil deeds; it describes a thorough and definitive condition, and concerns the root, the profound motivations, of the human heart wherein God finds radical evil. Humanity has reached the point of no return. God must intervene with a worldwide flood to preserve a remnant of the human race from complete moral degradation and thus extinction.

Thought question: Some people argue that Noah’s flood was only a local event. What is wrong with that idea? If this were true, why would every local flood (and every rainbow) make God a liar?

The Flood (Qtr 2 - Week 4: 23 April) Part1
The Flood (Qtr 2 - Week 4: 23 April) Part2

Audio recordings are available 5-10 minutes after the show has aired.

It's Biblical Qtr 2 - Week 4- 23.04.22 The Flood.pdf
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