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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 23

"The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; from the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth." Psalm 33:13-14

Text: Genesis 6:1-22

TWO SEPARATE FAMILY LINES

God had good reason to send Cain away from Adam and Eve. Two family lines were then observed and recorded. There was the line of Cain (Cf. Genesis 4:16-24). There was another family line, that of Seth (Cf. Genesis 5:1-32). Cain and Seth were brothers, but beyond that external blood relationship, their spiritual inclinations were quite different. Both groups of people grew and multiplied. In the process of time, the two groups became intermingled through marriage alliances.


A PROBLEMATIC TEXT

We come across a difficult text where scholars are divided in their opinions.

“Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply
on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them,
that the sons of God saw the daughters of men,
that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves
of all whom they chose…
There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward,
when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men
and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men
who were of old, men of renown.”

GENESIS 6:1-2, 4

1. The “sons of God” were “fallen angels”

Some scholars have adopted this view. They based their arguments on the interpretation of the sons of God as a reference to angels. A major problem with this view is the teaching of the Lord Jesus concerning angels! He taught that angels do not marry (Cf. Matthew 22:30)!

2. The “sons of God” were godly men from the line of Seth

This would be the more natural meaning. The significance of the mention of the two separate family lines became clearer. The author was setting the stage to explain why God had to make the decision to destroy the earth with a Flood! The godly line was corrupted by the ungodly line. There was only one line now… a badly corrupted one.

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great
in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart
was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that
He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”

GENESIS 6:5-6

There was no reference of any spirit or angelic beings in this text. Only man was mentioned. The godly line had foolishly followed carnal instincts and became corrupted along the way! Wickedness grew! Evil became more prevalent. The image of God had become badly tarnished! God was understandably deeply grieved!