Key Verse: Genesis 6:5
"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."
By Genesis 6, the world had spiraled into deep moral decay. Sin, which entered through Adam and Eve, had now consumed the human race. The verse paints a tragic picture: every thought, every motive, and every intention of man’s heart was evil—all the time. Humanity was no longer simply struggling with sin; it had become completely dominated by it.
This verse tells us something crucial about the nature of sin. It is not just about outward actions but begins in the heart. The world was not just full of evil deeds—it was full of evil desires. Sin starts in the mind, grows in the heart, and then manifests in behavior. This is why Jesus later taught that sin isn’t just about what we do but what we think and desire. Lust, greed, anger, pride—these all begin in the heart before they are ever seen in our actions.
The wickedness of mankind grieved the heart of God. The following verse (Genesis 6:6) says that God regretted making mankind and that it filled Him with sorrow. Some may wonder, How can an all-knowing God "regret" something? This does not mean God was surprised by humanity’s fall. Instead, it reveals His deep love and sorrow over sin’s destruction. God is not a distant ruler who observes sin without feeling—He is a personal, relational Creator whose heart is deeply impacted by human rebellion.
Despite the world’s corruption, one man stood out—Noah. Genesis 6:8 says, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” In a world of wickedness, Noah was different. He walked with God (Genesis 6:9), just like Enoch before him. This reminds us that no matter how dark the world becomes, God always preserves a remnant of the faithful. He always seeks those whose hearts are turned toward Him.
God commands Noah to build an ark—a massive wooden vessel that would save him, his family, and the animals from the coming flood. This act of obedience required faith and perseverance. The world had never seen a flood of this magnitude. Noah likely endured mockery and opposition, yet he remained obedient for over a hundred years as he built the ark.
Noah’s story is a powerful lesson about faith. He obeyed God even when it made no sense. He trusted in God’s word even when there was no visible evidence of the coming judgment. Hebrews 11:7 tells us that Noah “by faith... constructed an ark for the saving of his household.” True faith isn’t just believing in God—it’s acting on His word, even when the world doubts.
This passage also speaks to our time today. Jesus compared the days before His return to the days of Noah. In Matthew 24:37-39, He says, “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away.”
People in Noah’s time ignored the warning until it was too late. Many today do the same, living as if judgment will never come. But just as Noah’s ark was a place of salvation, so is Jesus Christ. The ark was the only way to escape the flood, and Christ is the only way to escape judgment. He is our refuge, our salvation, and our hope.
The story of Genesis 6 challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we walking with God like Noah, or are we being swept away by the corruption of the world? Sin is just as dangerous today as it was then, but God’s invitation to salvation still stands. The ark has been replaced by the cross, and all who trust in Christ will find safety, not from a flood, but from eternal separation from God.
Noah chose obedience over compromise. He chose faith over doubt. He chose to walk with God when the world walked away. May we do the same.
Commentaires