Noah - A Promise of Rest

Pastor's afternoon message was from Genesis 6, about Noah. He noted that Noah's culture was reflective of our own. There was a rapid advancement of self-government, an indiscriminate participation in sensual pleasures, and an alarming absorption of the spiritual influence. As humanity multiplied, so did wickedness. Every thought was captivated by evil all the time. Pastor believes that v. 2 is referring to the godly line of Seth (sons of God) and the ungodly line of Cain (daughters of men), rather than fallen angels and human women, for these reasons: 1. Context--the genealogies of chapters 4 and 5. 2. Angels are spirit beings who do not marry or procreate. 3. Sons of God would seem to be an inappropriate phrase to be used of fallen angels/demons. In v. 4 we see that there is greater oppression as evil advanced. Violence and aggressive evil ruled the day. The godly line of Seth intermarried with the ungodly line of Cain, and was absorbed into ungodliness. The godly are always absorbed by the ungodly.

Secondly, Noah's character is a model for our own (v. 8-9). He was a recipient of divine favor amidst unprecedented human corruption, and had a responsive faith despite rampant unbelief.

Third, Noah's charge was not unlike our own. He was invited to participate in God's provision by building an ark, which would save him and all who were in it with him. He also promoted God's salvation, as in II Peter 2:5 we are told that he was a preacher of righteousness. God gave mankind 120 years to repent before He sent judgment on the whole earth, and Noah preached during that time as he built the ark.

Fourth, Noah's comfort foreshadows our own. He could anticipate the removal of sin's pollution, and the refreshment of beginning afresh.

Thank you to Pastor Mike for allowing me to put his sermon material in my blog. It is helping me remember and meditate on God's Word.