The Strand Study Bible

GENESIS

75

GENESIS

These verses are among the most controversial in the entire Bible. Who were these mysterious sons of God who married the daughters of men? The simple interpretation is that they were individuals belonging to the line of Seth, while the daughters of men were unsaved girls from Cain’s line. The second view holds that the sons of God were not human at all, but wicked angels who committed immoral and unnatural physical acts with women in general. A number of reasons are given supporting this latter view. The Hebrew language favors it. The Hebrew phrase bne-elohim (sons of God) always refers to angels in the Old Testament. (See Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Dan 3:25.) Also, the Hebrew word nephilim (translated “giants” in 6:4) actually should be rendered “fallen ones.” The “men of renown” of 6:4 may be the historical basis for the legends of Hercules and other children of the gods of mythology. 5 Some believe the corruption of antediluvian DNA by Watchers ( fallen angels – my emphasis ) was an effort to cut off the birth line of the Messiah. This theory posits that Satan understood the protoevangelium–the promise in Genesis 3:15 that a Savior would be born, the seed of the woman, and that he would destroy the fallen angel’s power. Satan’s followers therefore intermingled with the human race in a conspiracy to stop the birth of Christ. If human DNA could be universally corrupted or “demonized,” they reasoned, no Savior would be born and mankind would be lost forever. 4 6:4a This word ( giants ) is the Hebrew word “ nephilim ” ( Num 13:33) and means “ fallen ones ” (Jude 6 and II Pet 2:4-5). 6:4b This word ( mighty men ) is the Hebrew word “ giborim ” and means “ warriors ” ( Rev 16:13 ). 6:5 The generation before the Flood, called the antediluvian civilization, had reached a high stage of civilization and culture and had achieved great things. The magnificent pyramids, built before the Flood, illustrate the triumphs of architectural science. However, there was another side, a dark side ( wickedness ), to the Pre-Flood era. Although the people before the Flood were a superior race in matters of this world, progressive (Gen 4:17), enterprising (Gen 4:20), cultured (Gen 4:21), and inventive (Gen 4:22), they were arrogant (Gen 4:23-24), carnal in their philosophy of life (Gen 6:4), and wicked and godless (Gen 6:5), as their thoughts were bent only upon “doing evil.” Jesus said in Luke 17:26-27 that whenever the philosophy of life becomes a materialistic, carnal, “this world” philosophy (like it was in the days of Noah), He would return. Can’t be long now! 6:8 This is the very first time the word “ grace ” appears in the Bible. Grace describes God’s attitude toward the law-breaker and rebel. Whereas mercy is defined as not receiving what we do deserve, grace is defined as receiving what we don’t deserve which is deliverance ! Phillip Yancey in What’s so Amazing About Grace? notes: In the bottom-line realm of ungrace, some workers deserve more than others; in the realm of grace the word deserve does not even apply. 6 No one deserves God’s grace , much less, can earn it. The amazing thing about grace is that it is free to those who “discover” it. If you can “find” it, you can have it. It won’t cost you a thing. All you have to do is locate it, then pick it up and it’s yours (Jn 1:12) Aurello Barreto III, inventor of the Dogloo, notes: You make the choice; you receive the grace. 7 Thus, grace is free for the “choosing.” Why? Because grace (receiving what none of us deserve, which is deliverance from the penalty of sin) is a gift that can’t be purchased, for the Giver Himself has already borne the cost (Eph 2:8-9). “Choosing” what God accomplished for us at Calvary through Jesus releases the grace needed to save us (Rom 10:9-13,17 and Titus 3:5a ). NOTE – Noah deserved to die in the Flood along with everyone else, for he too was a sinner. However, because he discovered the grace of God by giving God the “last say” in his life (Gen 6:13-22), he was delivered (Gen 7:16). And because he found God’s grace ; he also experienced God’s mercy (Noah was safe inside the ark, while those outside the ark perish) and eventually God’s peace (Noah finally stepped out onto dry land). Therefore, grace always comes before mercy and mercy before peace ( Titus 1:4 , I Tim 1:2, II Tim 1:2 and II Jn 3), for only the forgiven ( grace ) may be blessed (mercy) and settled in their hearts (peace). 6:9 Noah was not only a just (saved) man, but his genealogy (gene structure) was perfect as well (that is, it was not tarnished by the intrusion of the fallen angels). Much of pre-Greek mythology came from this period of time. Thomas Horn in Apollyon Rising 2012 notes: NOTE - Since Satan knew that the REDEEMER of mankind must be a member of the human race ( Gen 3:15 a and Job 19:25 ), he set about to corrupt all flesh upon the earth by the union of the sons of God (some of his fallen angels) with the daughters of men. Thomas Horn in Apollyon Rising 2012 notes:

The meaning was not that Noah was morally perfect, but that his physical makeup–his DNA–had not been contaminated with nephilim descent, as apparently the rest of the world had become. In order to preserve mankind as He had made them, God destroyed all but Noah’s family in the Flood. 4

1 Lutzer, Erwin W. Oprah Miracles and the New Earth , Chicago, ILL, Moody Press, 2009. Print. 2 Rehwinkel, Alfred M. The Flood , Saint Louis, MO, Concordia Pub. House, 1951. Print. 3 De Haan II, M.R. Jude –Recognizing The Danger Among Us , Grand Rapids MI, RBC Ministries, 2005. Print 4 Horn, Thomas. Apollyon Rising 2012 , Crane, MO, Defender, 2009. Print. 5 Willmington, Harold L. Signs of the Times , Wheaton, ILL, Tyndale, 1983. Print. 6 Yancey, Phillip. What’s So Amazing about Grace? , Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 1997. Print. 7 Barreto, Aurello F. III. “ Not of This World. ” C28 Outreach Ministry, 2006. Print.