Finding Favor in the Sight of God

Genesis 6:5-15

Summary

Meeting Purpose

Review Genesis 6:5-15, discussing God's decision to destroy the earth and His instructions to Noah for building the ark.

Key Takeaways

· The world had become extremely wicked, with every human intention being evil continually

· God expressed sorrow over creating humanity, deciding to destroy all living creatures

· Noah found favor with God due to his righteousness and faith

· God instructed Noah to build an ark, providing specific dimensions and materials

Topics

· State of the World Before the Flood

o Extreme wickedness pervaded society, with violence filling the earth

o Every human thought and intention was continually evil

o This corruption extended beyond humans to affect all living creatures

o The depravity was so severe that God regretted creating humanity

· God's Response to Wickedness

o God expressed deep sorrow and grief over the state of His creation

o Decided to "blot out" mankind and all living creatures from the earth

o This decision showcases both God's justice and His emotional response to sin

o Demonstrates God's sovereignty while also depicting His relational nature

· Noah's Righteousness

o Noah found favor (grace) in God's eyes, standing out among his contemporaries

o Described as righteous, blameless, and one who "walked with God"

o Noah's faith (Hebrews 11:7) was key to his standing before God

o Chosen to preserve life and start anew after the flood

· Instructions for the Ark

o God provided detailed specifications:

o Made of gopher wood

o Coated inside and out with pitch

o Dimensions: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, 30 cubits high (approximately 450 x 75 x 45 feet)

o Building the ark was a monumental task, likely outside Noah's expertise

o Required immense faith and trust in God's guidance

· Theological Implications

o Demonstrates God's justice, mercy, and sovereignty

o Illustrates the consequences of unchecked sin and corruption

o Foreshadows salvation through Christ (the ark as a type of salvation)

o Highlights the importance of faith and obedience (Noah's response)

Next Steps

o Continue studying the flood narrative in Genesis

o Reflect on personal applications of Noah's faith and obedience

o Consider the concept of leaving a godly legacy in light of Noah's example

o Explore further theological implications of the flood account

Follow-up – Pondering's

o Are we willing to re-think the legacy we will leave by our intentional or unintentional actions?

o Are we willing to trust God even if it seems like He wants us to “build an Ark”?

o Why was the penalty for the pervasive wickedness of Noah’s generation so extreme?

o Why did God think that things would be better the second time around?