In The Word
Read: Genesis 6
The Corruption of Mankind
6 Now it came about, when mankind began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3 Then the Lordsaid, “My Spirit will not remain with man forever, because he is also flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of mankind, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. 6 So the Lord was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 Then the Lord said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
9 These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.10 And Noah fathered three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for humanity had corrupted its way upon the earth.
13 Then God said to Noah, “The end of humanity has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of people; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. 14 Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with compartments, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15 This is how you shall make it: the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16 You shall make a window for the ark, and finish it to a cubit from the top; and put the door of the ark on the side; you shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17 Now behold, I Myself am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which there is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kind, and of the animals according to their kind, of every crawling thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. 21 As for you, take for yourself some of every food that is edible, and gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and them.” 22 So Noah did these things; according to everything that God had commanded him, so he did.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
People began to multiply, but most followed their flesh instead of following God. The Lord saw the wickedness of man and the continual evil intent of his heart. All of this grieved the Lord. In His righteousness, the Lord decided to destroy all of mankind. However, one man named Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. He walked with God as a righteous man, blameless in his time even though the earth was corrupt and filled with violence. In His love, the Lord provided a way of escape. He told Noah to build a boat large enough to hold him, his family, and a representation of every living thing.
Many people only see one side of God, the side of His never-ending love and mercy. However, the Lord is also just and righteous. We must look at all of God’s Word to truly know His character and attributes. In His love, the Lord always had a plan to redeem us. During the time it took Noah to build the boat by hand, the people had an opportunity to hear about God’s grace, mercy, and plan to see the way of salvation. They had an opportunity to repent and be saved. Sadly, only Noah and his family listened and obeyed.
Today, we each have an opportunity to repent of our evil ways, follow Jesus Christ, be saved, and live an abundant life now and for all eternity. What does God see when He looks at your heart? Is He grieved or is He pleased?