Take Two: Genesis 6, Proverbs 28

In Genesis 6 we find one of the more controversial passages of Scripture ever. Many discussions in Seminary relate to this subject on who the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men" were. Though several perspectives have been popular through the years, the views of the Reformers seem to be the most plausible.

In Gen 6:1-2, the sons of God refers to the godly line of Sethites. Many of them intermarried with the daughters of men, a reference to women who were not of the godly line. The OT is replete with references to God's instructions to avoid intermarrying with those outside of Israel. Some claim that in this passage, the "sons of God" are angelic beings who take on human form to procreate with human women. If so, it is the only such recorded incidence in all of Scripture. Further, the context of the chapter is pointing to how all of humanity, due to its unrestrained wickedness, would be judged except for the one descendent of Seth (Noah) and his three sons.

The product of the union between these "sons" and "daughters," was the "Nephilim" the "men of renown." The exact identity is debated but it seems that these are men who had distinguished themselves due to physical size or reputation.

Regardless of their identity, judgment is coming and it is due to the wicked condition of the men of the earth (Gen 6:5). All humanity had digressed to a condition far from their original design (Gen 6:7). Only Noah still lived a life with Regard for God (Gen 6:8).

The next toledoth is seen in the generations of Noah (Gen 6:9). Noah (in contra-distinction to humanity which was continually evil before God) (Gen 6:5) was righteous, blameless, and walked with God (Gen 6:9). God established His covenant with Noah to preserve him through the judgment (Gen 6:17-18). Again, this is a continual revelation of the unbroken purpose of God. God's purpose is to be fulfilled. Even in the midst of rampant wickedness, God insured that a remnant remained through which He would bring His purpose to pass.

God instructed Noah how to prepare/act in light of the coming judgment. As Noah was obedient in preparing, God saved Him. Through Noah's obedience, God's preservation of Creation was manifested. Noah was God's chosen means for preserving the remnant of Creation.

The concept of judging all of Creation as we see here seems very harsh to us. We think that there must have been something redemptive in humanity and that God must have acted (somehow) wrongly in His actions. Let's not forget though that God acts according to His character. He is not trying to live according to our standard of judgment; rather, He is the standard of judgment that we are to emulate. He is patient toward those who sin, yet uncompromising in His holiness. Sin will be judged ultimately. If man chooses to not "walk with God," then He chooses (by default) the judgment of God.

Proverbs 28:4 is the takeaway today. The righteous are called to "strive" with the wicked continually. We are not called to be complacent or complicit in wickedness. To not strive against evil is to praise it implicitly.