In chapter 5 we are given the names of the generations of the line of Seth. How often the Bible devotes long sections to the enumeration of names! In the first book of Chronicles the first nine chapters are devoted to names. We would, perhaps, rather have had other revelation but the Spirit of God con­sidered the mentioning of these names necessary for those who would later read and study His revela­tion.

Only two items are mentioned in chapter 5 which go beyond the mention of names and ages. Noah's father expresses a hope which is to be realized in the life of his son, and Enoch is singled out as a God-fearing man who did not die but was translated into the presence of God. (Hebrews 11:5) This man's life is characterized as a walking with God!

Mixed Marriages⤒🔗

With the opening of chapter 6 we are introduced to the state of the world of men as it existed just prior to the time of the flood. Both the lines proceeding from Cain and from Seth have been reviewed. The one is godless and the other is God-fearing. God had promised (Genesis 3:15) that He would place enmity between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman. Men must also respect that enmity which He has placed. The pre-diluvial period can be characterized as the time when these two lines merge rather than standing in opposition to each other. This fact lies at the center of the godlessness which now appears.

Men have multiplied on the face of the earth by this time. Many centuries have gone by since the creation of the first man. It is impossible to say how large the population of the world was by this time but the number of men was significant. Mention is made of daughters being born to them, not as though that is something new, but to emphasize the words which follow.

"The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all that they chose". Many are the interpretations which have been given to this passage. Some have thought that the sons of God refers to angels. Especially in the book of Job the angels are called "sons of God". However, the term "sons of God" is usually used in the Scriptures to refer to godly men. How could there be a union between angels and the daughters of men? Jesus also makes it very clear many years later when He says that angels do not marry (Matthew 22:30). When this interpretation, i.e., marriage of angels with women, is adopted, it is only a small step to consider this history as mere legend!

No, the men of the line of Seth began to look on the women of the line of Cain and found them to be attractive and took their wives from among these. They look only on the externals and not at the moral and spiritual difference. They choose whom they want without giving consideration to the devastating results such a practice will have. "Mixed marriage" is, therefore, given as the fundamental reason for all the ills of that time, and the reason for the destruction of the world.

God's Pronouncement←⤒🔗

The next verse has also produced many problems of interpretation. We will not go into all the possible interpretations but will simply state that we believe the words should be translated: My Spirit shall not remain (or abide) with man forever.

The Spirit of God is the Spirit of life for both the Cainites and the Sethites. This Spirit is not going to give life to them forever. Many are those who do not live according to that Spirit, but they live according to the flesh. Where the Spirit of God should play the dominant role, man has caused the flesh to rule him. This is clearly seen in the choice of mates. When the flesh, in opposition to the Spirit, rules man, destruc­tion is sure to come. Yet, the destruction is not going to be at once but the judgment is postponed for 120 years. These words do not mean that the length of life will henceforth be limited to 120 years (see the ages given in Chap. 11).

Giants in the Earth←⤒🔗

Some translate that there were "giants" in the earth in those days and others translate that there were the "Nephilim" in those days. However, who were the Nephilim?

To translate the term "giants" seems the most logical. Men of giant stature were not the result of the union of angels and women, but is to be brought in connection with the tremendous length of life ex­perienced by men of those days. Their bodies must have been very strong to live that long, and their average stature may have been far greater than was normal in later years.

Nor does the text imply that these "giants" were the result of the union of the sons of Seth with the daughters of Cain. These "giants" were already in the earth! Later in Biblical history mention is made of "giants" too, e.g., Og, king of Bashan, people in Canaan whom the spies saw, Goliath, etc. These were "mighty men". They were physically strong and used that strength to subject others — they were cruel. Their names were well-known. The great length of life, untouched by the regenerating power of the Spirit of God, made these people vir­tually beasts of sin!

Moral and Spiritual Degradation←⤒🔗

The sins com­mitted by these people, of course, do not go un­noticed. Jehovah sees the wickedness of men. The justice and the integrity of God are shown clearly throughout the Scriptures. He is indeed revealed as the God who is merciful and Who forgives the iniqui­ty of those who repent. But, if there is no repent­ance, He will visit with His wrath. One hundred and twenty years are given them as a "grace period" in which they have time to see the error of their ways. No repentance was shown.

The Lord sees that the wickedness of man is great in the earth. The attitude of Cain is bearing its fruit. "Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually". So, in brief, does Jehovah characterize the moral and spiritual degradation of that time. The men of that time were busy in sin every day. Their every thought was evil. They had no love toward God or His service but became the enemies of God. Their evil deeds were simply the results of the wicked thoughts of their hearts.

Evil deeds and evil thoughts are described in later Biblical history, but where do we find such a devastating judgment on a whole generation as we find here? Here, in very few words, the reason is given for the awful judgment of God which will come on the earth in the flood.

God's Repentance←⤒🔗

Now we read "and it repented Jehovah that he had made man on the earth..." How are we to understand these words? Do we not read: "God is not a man, that he should lie, neither the son of man, that he should repent?" (Numbers 23:19). Yet, we read the words in the Old Testament time and again that it repented the Lord. In fact, more than half the time the word repentance is used in the Old Testament it refers to God!

God, of course, does not repent from evil. He does not repent because He has formerly done that which was wrong. He repents — using human terminology — because He is grieved. This is also added im­mediately: "And it grieved him at his heart." Man was made the crown, the jewel of creation. Man was made in the image of God and after His likeness. Now the sad words are heard that God is sorry that He has made man! What has sin done to man! Here too, if man is yet to be spared, he must first know how great his sin and misery is so that he may repent!

God's Word of Judgment←⤒🔗

The sinners of that day were in the majority. They were tremendously strong. Some of them lived for almost a millennium. They become more bold as time goes on. Who is going to stop them in their plans? God speaks His word of judgment! He will destroy them; He will blot them out; He will wipe the earth clean!

Nowhere, except at the end of time, do we hear of such an inclusive judgment. His perfect work, the work of which He Himself had said that it was very good, will be wiped out. God is patient — but His pa­tience does have an end! The sin of man is rebellion. God's justice and honor will not allow mankind to continue along this path. So drastic will be the judg­ment that not only man but also the beasts and creeping things and birds will be destroyed. Why must these creatures suffer for the sin of man?

Man stands at the head of all creation and the things he does will also affect all the rest of creation. The animal world did not fall into sin — man did — but the effects of man's sin is clearly seen in the animal world. Even so shall the rest of creation be blest in the resurrection of the bodies of the children of God (Romans 8:19-21). Again, the statement is added that God repents that He has made man.

Noah Finds Favor←⤒🔗

When this judgment is heard, there is a certain fear which clutches at the heart of man. Will this be the end of the human race? Will God be robbed of the work of His hands? The broad scope of verse 7 almost leads one to think so. There are similar instances in Scripture. Athaliah destroyed, all the seed royal — except the child Joash. So here.

There is one man who, with the members of his family, will not be included in the judgment which will destroy men from off the face of the earth. True, the number of men will almost be brought back to the dimensions of the Garden of Eden — but, there will be a man left, together with his family, who will again be able to populate the earth.

"Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah." Here is the one man in the midst of the thousands in the world who did not make himself guilty of their sins. He certainly lived in a hostile world. It is amazing that this family could maintain their faith in the midst of such a world. In later times Lot couldn't do it and saved only himself. Lot is no hero of faith but Noah becomes one. Though the judgment of God is severe over the unbelieving world, there is one man who finds favor in His sight. That favor is unto life. That favor is so great that it keeps humanity alive through this one man. He will not consume the righteous with the wicked.

Even though He Who knows the end from the beginning knows that the wickedness of man will soon increase again after the flood, He will be faithful to the righteous. There is not much left of His work — but, there is still this remnant! Noah finds favor and in that favor is life.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Why could not the "sons of God" have been angels? Give Biblical reasons.
2. What is the basic evil of mixed marriage? Doesn't it "work" sometimes?
3. Men of "millions of years ago" are usually pic­tured as being very small. How does this agree with the statement of the "giants" in the earth in the time before the flood?
4. God can say so much in so few words. What pic­ture do you receive of the sins of men in verse 5?
5. The love of God is praised everywhere today. Shouldn't the justice of God receive more attention in our day? Can one have the right view of God's love if His justice is ignored?