Genesis 5-6:

Adam - Noah

Opening Statement:

“As we look at Genesis 5 and 6, we see a stark contrast between God’s design for humanity and the deep corruption that led to His judgment. The genealogy in chapter 5 reminds us of the passing of generations and the certainty of death, while chapter 6 reveals the devastating effects of sin on the world. Yet, even in the midst of judgment, God’s grace is evident in Noah’s story. Tonight, let’s explore what this passage teaches us about God’s justice, mercy, and the call to walk faithfully with Him.”

Genesis 5:

₅ Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died. ₈ Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died. ₁₁ Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died. ₁₄ Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died. ₁₇ Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died. ₂₀ Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died. ₂₇ Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died. ₃₁ Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.

• What stands out in chapter five?
  • Specifically in the above eight verses?
  • Do you notice any breaks in the pattern?
    • Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
    • Genesis 5:3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
  • Genesis 5:29 …and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the LORD has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.”

Genesis 6:1–2 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose.

— Genesis 6:1-2 (ESV)

• What is this “…sons of God saw that the daughters of man…” thing? (Jack mentioned three possible answers)
  • See Matthew 22:30 as a rebuttal to one suggested interpretation.
  • Perhaps a reference to a royal lineage and a harem? What do you think of that?
  • How about Seth’s lineage and Cain’s lineage?

Genesis 6:3 Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”

— Genesis 6:3 (ESV)

• What do we see here?
• Think back to earlier chapters and the creation description; can you relate or connect anything revealed in God’s nature?

Genesis 6:4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.

— Genesis 6:4 (ESV)

• The word “Nephilim” (נְפִילִים, Nephilim) in Hebrew comes from the root נָפַל (naphal), meaning “to fall.” What do you make of this verse? Who are these people?

Genesis 6:5–8 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

— Genesis 6:5-8 (ESV)

• What do we see or feel about God here?
• Jack mentioned that the word “earth” was used a number of times in verses 5-13.
  • How many times?
  • What do you make of that?
• Jack mentioned, almost in passing, that there is a role reversal here. What do you think he meant by that?
  • We can dig deep on this theme if you want to spend the time on it.
• What is the thought behind the phrase “blot out”? Again, we could camp out here for a while. 😉
• ”…Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” What do you call this?

Genesis 6:9–10 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

— Genesis 6:9-10 (ESV)

• What can we understand about Noah here?

Genesis 6:11–12 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

— Genesis 6:11-12 (ESV)

• What is corruption? What’s happening here?

Genesis 6:13–17 And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.

— Genesis 6:13-17 (ESV)

• There is so much to unpack here!
  • What is God’s judgement here? How does His holiness play into this?
  • God provides detailed, specific plans for the ark. What does the ark and the plans represent here?
  • How many doors does the Ark have? Take a look at John 10:9. Do you see any connections?
  • How can you see grace and mercy in the midst of judgement?
  • Noah had faith and trust and obeyed God. How can we do that today?
  • Jack mentioned that the Hebrew word for ark is used twice in the bible. Where else did he say it is used? See Exodus 2:3,5.
    • The Hebrew word for “ark” in Genesis 6:14 is תֵּבָה (tevah).
    • Unlike a typical ship, the ark is not designed for navigation—it is a floating vessel of preservation. Unlike ships with sails or rudders, the tevah is completely dependent on God’s guidance, emphasizing trust in God’s care.
    • In both cases, the tevah is an instrument of salvation, delivering God’s chosen ones from water and destruction.
    • Foreshadowing of Christ: The ark can be seen as a symbol of Christ, in whom believers find refuge from divine judgment (just as Noah and Moses were saved).

Genesis 6:18–22 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

— Genesis 6:18-22 (ESV)

• “Noah did this” What do you notice here?
• What did Noah have to do to “catch” all these animals?
• This is the first mention of “covenant” (בְּרִית, berit) in the Bible. What is a covenant?

Wrap it Up

• Church (group), when was the last time you heard God, and you remained quiet and did what He said?
• God always keeps a remanent; we are a part of that remanent.
• Are you walking with God? Talking with Him?
• Trust. Repent. Believe. God does everything for us!
• Have you heard from God? He has told us, as we are going, we are to make disciples. Let’s get busy at that because it is starting to rain!