Genesis 6-8

January 3rd, 2013

Genesis 6-8 deal with the flood.


I find it interesting that all over the world there are flood stories that closely resemble the biblical account, and I would consider this evidence for it's validity. The Epic of Gilgamesh being one such story that I have read recently.

Now, as was mentioned in the last chapter, murder seemed to be something that was permeating the post-Edenic societies. Very seldom was something positive said of anyone in the genealogies, except Enoch. Lamech, Noah's Father actually brags about killing a young boy for bruising him. He actually writes a poem about it.

To add to all of this, the "sons of God" actually take "the daughters of humankind" as their wives and make mighty warriors of renown. Now, whatever the "sons of God" were, it's clear that they were not supposed to be with "the daughters of humankind." So what are some of the theories on the "sons of God?" Well, in the book of Enoch, a pseudopigraphical book of Jewish origin, the "sons of God" were fallen angels. So that would mean that these "Nephilim" were half angel, half human creatures. The New Testament author also seems to believe this, but that is also debated.

Others believe that "the Sons of God" refers to the descendants of Seth, while the "daughters of humankind" refers to the female descendants of Cain. In which case, this is a warning against marrying into families of different faith. Of course, this does not explain the appearance of these "Nephilim."

I have personally gone back and forth between the two, though I must admit that there is a possibility that I argue with this so much in my mind because I have a strong bias against the possibility of angels impregnating women, much less desiring to have sex. Upon self-reflection, it's entirely possible that I don't want to believe that the supernatural can be so... dangerous.

In any case, God chooses Noah. Not because Noah was any better than anybody else, but simply because Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. God tasks Noah with preserving all of the animals, and to building the ark, and repopulating the world. His wife, sons, and daughter in laws were all saved in the flood.

It shows a couple of things. God's wrath abides on the wicked, but he allows mercy to those who he loves. To those who find favor in his eyes, he saves. In the story of the flood we see the mercy and the judgement of God.