Or Giants: Enlarging Our Vision of God's World, God's Son, and God's Salvation (Gen. 6:1-8)

Sermon Series

May 5, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 6:1–8

Dear OBC Family,

On Sunday, we take the first step toward understanding the history of the flood—its causes, its characters, and its covenant.

In particular, we will spend time looking at the strange statements found in Genesis 6:1–4. Who were the sons of God? Who were the daughters of man? Who were the Nephilim? How do they relate to one another? And how do they relate to us today? Those questions require care and attention, and we should pray for wisdom as we come to worship on Sunday.

Indeed, it is easy to gloss over these verses as strange relics of a by-gone era, but as we will see there are important aspects of this story that we need to know. To prepare for Sunday, take time to read Genesis 6. You may also find help reading 2 Peter 2 and Jude. These two books look back at Genesis 6 and help us better understand how to read the Old Testament.

Additionally, if you are interested in thinking more about how the New Testament reads the Old and how we should engage with extra-biblical passages, you may find this article helpful.

For all of us, let us pray that the Lord who rules over all creation will pour out his mercy upon us as we gather in his name on Sunday. I look forward to seeing you there, as the Lord allows.

For His Glory and your joy in Christ,

Pastor David

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Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 6:1-8)

What questions do you have after reading this text?

The following questions are largely related to the “sons of God” and giants:

What are the predominant views of the identity of the “sons of God”?

How does the Old Testament use this phrase? (Consider who is in view in Deuteronomy 32:8; Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7).

As we look to Scripture to interpret Scripture, how does Jude 1:5-7 compare angels that sinned with Sodom and Gomorrah?

What does Mark 12:25 teach us about angels and the saints in heaven?

How does this apply (or nor apply) to Genesis 6?

What giants do you see in Scripture? Consider the Nephilim (Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:33) and the “sons of Anak” (Deuteronomy 1:28; 2:10; 9:2; Joshua 14:12-15; 15:13), and the Rephaim or Emim (Deuteronomy 3:11-13). Consider also Goliath (1 Samuel 17), his relatives, and their descendants (1 Chron 20:4-6; 2 Samuel 21:5-17). What repeated themes do you see?

What do you find challenging about these texts, and why?

As we read Genesis 6:1-8, what are the ways in which we observe God’s judgment? Looking at the text, what provokes these judgments?

How do these judgements change humanity?

What characterizes man’s heart, and why?

What is the Bible’s consistent message when it comes to mankind’s condition?

How should we understand the language of God seeing (Gen 6:5) and having regret (Gen 6:6)?

How do we rightly interpret this text without denying the omniscience (Ps 139; Heb 4:12-13; 1 John 3:20) and immutability of God (Num 23:19; Mal 3:6; James 1:17)?

How is Noah distinct from the rest of mankind?

How can one find favor with God? Consider Noah (Heb 11:7; 2 Pet 2:5).

What does this passage teach about God’s world? God’s son? Our salvation?

What questions are left unresolved?

More from Genesis 4-11: Salvation & Judgment

The Baptism of Noah: What the Waters of Judgement Have to Do with the Waters of Baptism

May 19, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 7

Dear OBC Family, What does baptism have to do with the flood? Or to reverse it, what does the flood have to do with baptism? This Sunday, we will discover that baptism is not simply an ordinance that divides churches—do we baptize infants, or only believers? (The answer is believers 😀). In answer to the question, baptism is actually the way God has decided to destroy sin and bring new life. Baptism is something that every generation of God’s people have experienced. Baptism is also something that Christ himself does today, as he gives the waters of life from heaven when he ‘baptizes’ someone with the Holy Spirit. Churches follow suit with water baptism as they baptize on earth those who have been baptized from heaven. Indeed, baptism is a major theme that runs through the whole Bible. And on Sunday, we will see how the waters of judgment in Genesis 7 serve as the headwaters for baptism in the Bible and even today. To prepare for Sunday, take time to read Genesis 7-8, as well as 1 Peter 3. Notice how Peter looks to Noah to explain salvation with the baptism of Noah’s ark. And pray for God to pour out on us his living water. As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you Sunday and worshiping the One who sits above the floods! For His Glory and your joy in Christ, Pastor David ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 7:1–24) What stands out to you after reading this text and listening to Sunday’s sermon? What questions do you have? As you read this text, remember that God is the primary actor here. What is God doing? Consider the use of “God” (Elohim) and “LORD” (YHWH) in this passage. What do you notice? What repetition do you notice? What does this repetition highlight and emphasize in this history of the Flood? What is the significance of the LORD shutting them into the ark? Read 1 Peter 3:18–22. Consider the relationship between baptism and the Flood. What is Peter teaching? Read 2 Peter 3:1–7. What are implications of the Flood for us today? How ought we to respond to this text?

The Rise and Fall of God’s Flood, Noah’s Ark, and Your Salvation through Judgement (Gen. 6:9-7:10)

May 12, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 6:9—7:10

Dear OBC Family, At the end of the nineteenth century, Abraham Kuyper, the Dutch polymath who was at various times a pastor, theologian, editor, educator, and Prime Minister of the Netherlands, wrote a volume addressing common grace. Common grace is the doctrine that says God shows varying degrees of kindness to all creation, not just those who trust in Christ. And importantly, Kuyper shows how common grace is related to Noah and the covenant that God makes with him and through him to all creation. Indeed, as we will see over the next few weeks, this a covenant that continues today, as the rainbow bears witness to God’s promise to never destroy the earth again with water. Yet, I wonder: when we see a rainbow do we remember Genesis 9 and the grace of God? Or do we think first and foremost about how the sun shown through a water droplet to create the array of colors? Or maybe we think of some legend related to leprechauns and gold? Whatever we think about, Kuyper is right to call our attention back to God and his Word. Many people, including pious children of God, behold and admire the rainbow without being aware of the underlying covenant that is so powerfully addressing them. For that reason, we must begin with placing the lofty significance of that Noahic covenant in more radiant light once again. It must come alive for us once again, address us once again, and become for us once again an essential component of the grace of God that sustains us. Indeed, we need to recover the rainbow, which today has undergone a transformation that this nineteenth century Christian could never have imagined. But more than restoring a proper understanding of the rainbow, we need know what the story of Noah tells us about God, his preservation of the world, and his plan of salvation. Beginning this Sunday, we will begin to see what the story of Noah is about and how the ark, the flood, the animals, and the rainbow, tell us something about salvation, baptism, creation, and covenant—to name only a few. Indeed, Genesis 1–11 gives us an inspired interpretation of the patterns that God used in the Bible and even today to bring his purposes to effect. And lest we misunderstand the Bible and our own time, we need to see carefully what Scripture says to us about Noah and his ark. To that end, I would encourage you to read Genesis 6–9 before Sunday and also to read a short article on https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3a%2f%2fobc.us14.list-manage.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3ddd23918991ea6f542a8065bed%26id%3d2c4acfb7e1%26e%3df5b57025e0&data=05%7c02%7c%7c4242ee08cfa142ec1a7808dc7131fb37%7c84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7c1%7c0%7c638509706706578368%7cunknown%7ctwfpbgzsb3d8eyjwijoimc4wljawmdailcjqijoiv2lumziilcjbtii6ik1hawwilcjxvci6mn0%3d%7c0%7c%7c%7c&sdata=4cjgari7cvzzecnr5ebvqk%2byh1w1bgi5vzzqfxkwwme%3d&reserved=0. Typology is something we discussed in Sunday School a few weeks ago and it something that will repeat in the rest of Genesis. By definition, biblical types are historical persons, events, or institutions that are assigned by God to foreshadow later and greater realities that relate to the person and work of Jesus Christ. For us, it is impossible to read about Noah without seeing him as a type of Christ. And so, rehearsing what a type is will be helpful for you as you prepare for Sunday. In all, pray for God to open our eyes to see his plans of grace in the historical events of Noah. On Sunday we will begin looking at Genesis 6–9. And we will continue to fix our gaze on Christ through him for the next few weeks. As the Lord allows, I look forward to sharing insights with you from Genesis 6–9. May the Lord be glorified by our time together! For His Glory and your joy in Christ, Pastor David ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 6:9 – 7:10) Compare and contrast the description of Noah and the description of the earth (Gen 6:9-12, 2 Pet 2:5). What does it mean to walk with God? How does Scripture describe this? What does it look like for God’s people to walk with Him? Consider what this looked like (1) before the Flood, (2) in the nation of Israel before Christ, and (3) today. How does Jesus describe the days of Noah (Matt 24:36-44)? What should we learn from God pronouncing his judgment (6:13), and providing instructions for the ark (6:41-21)? What characterizes Noah’s obedience (6:22-7:5)? What is righteousness? How is Noah righteous? (See Gen 7:1; Heb 11:7). What does this narrative teach us about the justice and mercy of God? Do we live with a sense of the coming judgment of God? Why or why not? How should we respond to this text? As a reminder, if you’d like to know more about the biblical idea of giants, you can pick up a copy of https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3a%2f%2fobc.us14.list-manage.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3ddd23918991ea6f542a8065bed%26id%3d0665d02ce6%26e%3df5b57025e0&data=05%7c02%7c%7c4242ee08cfa142ec1a7808dc7131fb37%7c84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7c1%7c0%7c638509706706590492%7cunknown%7ctwfpbgzsb3d8eyjwijoimc4wljawmdailcjqijoiv2lumziilcjbtii6ik1hawwilcjxvci6mn0%3d%7c0%7c%7c%7c&sdata=corjqcymqqgdpwyceauynjhflvv%2flbarj1twa%2foz1em%3d&reserved=0 on the bookshelf.

The True and Better Enoch: Moving from the Genealogy of Adam to the Genealogy of Jesus (Gen. 5:1-32)

April 28, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 5

On Sunday, we return to our study of Genesis. And for those who have been waiting to hear about the Nephilim in Genesis 6, you’ll have to wait one more week. For this Sunday, we have a genealogy to journey. And I say journey, because the names and events related to this list of figures is anything but boring. Indeed, from Seth to Enoch to Noah, we will see an important history that connects Adam to his faithful sons, on the way to a story of giants being destroyed by a global flood. That’s next week (see more below). As we saw three Sunday’s ago, the sons of Cain pursued all manner of wickedness in Genesis 4. But now, as the sons of Seth begin to call upon the name of the Lord, there is great hope that those who die in faith will be received by the Lord. Or at least, that is the situation for one man by the name of Enoch. Among the fathers named in Genesis 5, Enoch stands out as a turning point in the story. And more his ascension to heaven, as I will argue, promises mankind that death is not the only option. Instead, there is way of life that comes by walking with God. Yet, walking with God requires more than a daily quiet time, it requires spiritual warfare. For, as we will see, the generations before Noah are wicked and rebellious, much like our own generation. And thus, from the fighting faith of these fathers, we will see what it looks like to trust God amidst a generation who doesn’t. To prepare for Sunday, read Genesis 5. But don’t stop there. You will also be helped by reading Jude and Matthew 1. And for the more studious, you would be helped by reading https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3a%2f%2fobc.us14.list-manage.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3ddd23918991ea6f542a8065bed%26id%3d306ae844d0%26e%3df5b57025e0&data=05%7c02%7c%7c7de00d41c9e840addee408dc662f8f00%7c84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7c1%7c0%7c638497601667040939%7cunknown%7ctwfpbgzsb3d8eyjwijoimc4wljawmdailcjqijoiv2lumziilcjbtii6ik1hawwilcjxvci6mn0%3d%7c0%7c%7c%7c&sdata=gliu5cixy3wfzixdaoncdgjl%2bhkr%2briayzbfdliqf%2bq%3d&reserved=0. As I mentioned three weeks ago, this passage is not found in the biblical canon, and I don’t treat it as inspired by God and authoritative for doctrine. Nevertheless, this book clearly contributed to the worldview of the Jews in Jesus' day and was quoted by Jude (1 Enoch 1:9 = Jude 14–15). So knowing its contents will help you better understand Genesis 5:1–6:8, as well as the message of Christ’s conquest over the powers and principalities. Furthermore, as we prepare to tackle giants next week, you might be helped by picking up a copy of https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3a%2f%2fobc.us14.list-manage.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3ddd23918991ea6f542a8065bed%26id%3d551d2b173e%26e%3df5b57025e0&data=05%7c02%7c%7c7de00d41c9e840addee408dc662f8f00%7c84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7c1%7c0%7c638497601667054738%7cunknown%7ctwfpbgzsb3d8eyjwijoimc4wljawmdailcjqijoiv2lumziilcjbtii6ik1hawwilcjxvci6mn0%3d%7c0%7c%7c%7c&sdata=vz3ssqvbh0d%2beldluw4gvrqu98nhyeye6vieadpy1ty%3d&reserved=0 from the bookshelf. Or you can listen to Haunted Cosmos on Giants (https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3a%2f%2fobc.us14.list-manage.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3ddd23918991ea6f542a8065bed%26id%3d60fd007d39%26e%3df5b57025e0&data=05%7c02%7c%7c7de00d41c9e840addee408dc662f8f00%7c84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7c1%7c0%7c638497601667059346%7cunknown%7ctwfpbgzsb3d8eyjwijoimc4wljawmdailcjqijoiv2lumziilcjbtii6ik1hawwilcjxvci6mn0%3d%7c0%7c%7c%7c&sdata=gqxdbkq35ld2%2bmram41i0wtpqab4c%2fpb8jfgvirhlpw%3d&reserved=0, https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3a%2f%2fobc.us14.list-manage.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3ddd23918991ea6f542a8065bed%26id%3d7c26962861%26e%3df5b57025e0&data=05%7c02%7c%7c7de00d41c9e840addee408dc662f8f00%7c84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7c1%7c0%7c638497601667063631%7cunknown%7ctwfpbgzsb3d8eyjwijoimc4wljawmdailcjqijoiv2lumziilcjbtii6ik1hawwilcjxvci6mn0%3d%7c0%7c%7c%7c&sdata=7rug%2fvbyqvnq5mrpwioknpjwac%2b%2fkve%2f%2f3sb2ztomha%3d&reserved=0). Next week is going to be gigantic . . . and not just because of the Nephilim. This week and next we will see more clearly how great our risen Christ is! And so, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we come and worship our king, the one who reigns over all things in creation—things visible and things invisible too! For His Glory and your joy in Christ, Pastor David ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 5) When you read a genealogy in the Bible, what are you looking for? What are they used for? And how can you over-read them? Or under-read them? What comes before the genealogy in Genesis 5 and what comes after? How does the genealogy help us understand both sections? And vice versa? There are four key figures in the genealogy (Adam, Enoch, Lamech, Noah). What does the passage tell us about each? How does these vignettes add to our understanding of the passage? There are also minor figures (Seth, Jared, Methuselah). What do we know about them? What role do the names of these men play? What is the recurring theme in Genesis 5? What does death teach about God and his world? And how does the theme of death highlight Enoch’s ascension? What is the relationship between the sons of Cain (Gen 4:17–24) and the sons of Seth (Gen. 5)? Look especially at the seventh generation. Cf. Jude 14–15. What connections does Genesis 5 have with the New Testament? Cf. Matthew 1:1–17; Hebrews 11:1–7; Jude 14–15. What do these connections tell us? What does it mean that Christ is a new Enoch? What other questions do you have? Are you ready to talk about giants (Nephilim) next week?