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Home , Generations of Noah, Gopher wood, Shem

Through the Series: Genesis Passage for This Week: Only the Righteous Escape Genesis 6:9-8:19 ’s Wrath Key Terms: Violence: The Hebrew Introduction: word is much broader than Were you one of those kids shaking under the blankets during a just murder. It is used to thunderstorm? Running and screaming to mom and dad when include unjust treatment lightning struck? Maybe you have had to hold a child and calm him (Gen 16:5; 3:10), or her back to sleep during a torrential downpour. Imagine the anxiety in ’s heart, wondering if his pitch was strong enough to injurious legal testimony seal cypress against the strongest historical winds. Imagine telling (Deut 19:16), deadly that he would live through twenty five more nights of thunder assault (Gen 49:5), and as the boat rocked another wave. How? By finding comfort in the rape (Jer 13:22). knowledge that God was near and had promised safety. : This is a The Place of the Passage: transliteration of the God’s creation was marred by sin, and as the population grew so did Hebrew word. While the evil’s reach. Murder and immorality are introduced into society, and exact specie of tree is eventually God’s judgment comes swiftly. God only allows a few to survive , but His covenant after the waters subside offers unknown, many modern blessing to the world’s future generations. translations render the term as “cypress” (e.g. NEB, NIV, NRSV). I. Primeval History: Creating for Blessing (1:11-11:26) A. The Creation Story (1:1-2:3) Cubit: A measurement that B. “Generations” of Heavens and Earth (2:4-4:26) cannot be known with 1. Man and Wife in the Garden (2:4-25) certainty, but most 2. Consequences of Rejecting Divine Commands authorities assume it to be (3:1-24) 3. Fratricide (4:1-26) about 18 inches long. C. “Generations” of (5:1-6:8) “Sevens” of Clean 1. Death Occurs to All But One (5:1-32) Animals: Since this is an 2. Uncontrolled Sin Invites Retribution (6:1-8) D. “Generations” of Noah (6:9-9:29) odd number, and it is 1. Only the Righteous Escape God’s Wrath (6:9-8:19) qualified as “male and 2. God’s Covenant and the “Second Fall” (8:20-9:29) female,” it likely refers to E. “Generations” of Shem, , and (10:1-11:26) seven pairs. 1. God’s Blessings Fulfilled (10:1-32) Chiasm: A literary device 2. God’s Judgment on Humanity’s Pride (11:1-26) throughout Scripture that is II. “Generations” of (The Story): Moving a repetition of similar ideas towards Blessing (11:27-25:18) or phrases in the reverse sequence. The pattern is III. “Generations” of : Continuing towards Blessing then (A, B, C, B , A ). The (25:19-36:43) 1 1 flood story is a lengthy IV. “Generations” of : Being a Blessing (37:2-50:26) example of a chiasm.

1 Through the Bible Series: Genesis Only the Righteous Escape God’s Wrath

Discussion Questions:

Read Verses 6:9-22 The last time that God “saw” creation, it was “very good,” (Gen 1:31). Now, instead of being filled with men, women, and animals as He commanded, He “sees” that it is “filled with corruption.” When humans have sinned in Genesis, God has reacted, but nothing compares to His retribution in the flood story. The themes introduced here recur throughout Scripture: the deliverance of a few while many perish (cf. Gen 19). Noah was blameless among his contemporary generations and walked with God. What does a quick word study of “blameless” reveal about Noah (cf. Gen 17:1; Deut 18:13; Josh 24:14; Ps 18:23, 26; 37:18; 101:2, 6; Prov 2:21; 11:5)? How could the earth be corrupt? It is inanimate. Similarly, God decides to “end all flesh.” His reasoning is that it was “corrupt.” However, “all flesh” consistently refers to both humans and animals throughout these chapters (6:17, 19; 7:15-16, 21; 8:17; 9:11, 15-17). Why did God destroy the animals in judgment? A major theme in this section is the contrast of Noah’s obedience with the world’s immorality (Gen 6:22; 7:5, 9, 16). Thus, God can offer several commands, knowing Noah will comply. But what led Noah to his obedient lifestyle? What motivates your obedience to God? Verse 18a: “I will confirm my covenant with you.” This is more than likely a foreshadowing of the promises made to Noah after the flood in Chapter 9. Noah’s obedience and faith is then a commitment to trust in God’s promise to protect Him through the storm. Read Verses 7:1-24 Where have we seen “the deep” in Genesis? Literally in these verses, “the waters were great and mul- tiplied exceedingly...the waters were great exceedingly, exceedingly...the waters prevailed over the earth.” The earth was no match for the strong waters from the chaotic deep and the sky. What does the significance of this judgment and its link to Genesis 1:2 imply? Read Verses 8:1-19 The structure of the flood passage is clear, and it reaches its climax here. See the Key Terms for “Chiasm,” for chapters six through nine form one large chiasm. The divine author allowed the human authors to use literary devices in their historical contexts to present their intended meaning. (Before they were written, these stories would have been passed down from generation to generation, and a structure like this would aid memory.) For this passage, the point is both clear and central. In the middle of everything moving towards destruction, God already has a plan for restoration.

2 Through the Bible Series: Genesis Only the Righteous Escape God’s Wrath

Introduction (6:9-10): Genealogical note; Noah’s three sons; Noah’s righteousness A 6:11-22 First Divine Speech Threat to destroy the earth: God “sees” corruption (6:11-12); “earth filled” (6:13); resolution to “destroy” the earth (6:13, 17); “all flesh” (6:12); “food” (6:21) and “eat” (6:21); establishing a covenant (6:18) B 7:1-9 Second Divine Speech “Come into the ark” (7:1); Noah’s response: clean animals and birds taken (7:8-9) C 7:10-16 Flood begins; ark closed (7:16); after 7 days, and 40 days (7:10, 12); dating by Noah’s age (7:6, 11) D 7:17-20 Prevailing waters; mountains covered (7:19-20); ark floats (7:18) E 7:21-8:1a All life dies; But God remembers Noah D’ 8:1b-5 Receding waters; mountains uncovered (8:4-5); arks rests (8:4) C’ 8:6-14 Flood ends; ark’s window opened (8:6); after 7 days, and 40 days (8:6, 10, 12); dating by Noah’s age (8:13-14) B’ 8:15-20 Third Divine Speech “Go out of the ark” (8:16); Noah’s response: clean animals and birds offered A’ 8:21-9:17 Fourth Divine Speech Promise not to destroy the earth: God “sees” rainbow (9:16); “earth to be filled” (9:1); resolution not to “destroy” the earth (9:11, 15); “all flesh” (9:11); “food” (9:3) and “eat” (9:4); establishing covenant (9:9, 11, 17). Conclusion (9:18-29): Noah shamed; Noah’s three sons; genealogical note

Even in the most brutal judgment throughout history, God fulfilled His promise to be with Noah. How does this comfort you in our chaotic and wicked world? When God “remembers” someone, He acts on their behalf. This occurs over seventy times in the Old Testament (e.g., , Gen 19:29; , Gen 30:22; Hannah, 1 Sam 1:19). “Ararat”: These are a mountainous range in eastern Turkey. Obviously, even this large of a boat could not rest on multiple mountains. The phrase probably means “among” the mountains or even better “on one of the mountains.” (adapted from NET)

3 Through the Bible Series: Genesis Only the Righteous Escape God’s Wrath

Destination: God’s holy judgment against the utter wickedness of man Sunday Genesis 1-2 Monday Genesis 3-4 was swift and extensive, but His presence with the righteous offers Tuesday Genesis 5-6 mercy, assurance, and peace that their God is worthy of obedience. Wednesday Genesis 7-8 Thursday Genesis 9-10 Friday Genesis 11-12 Saturday Catch-up Day The first sin of man led to the infectious spread to all his descendants. The Sunday Genesis 13-14 stench of rebellion was quenched by God’s retribution. He returned the Monday Genesis 15-16 Tuesday Genesis 17-18 world to its pre-creation form, covered in water, to begin afresh with the Wednesday Genesis 19-20 one family that was blameless in His sight. Noah’s faith and obedience Thursday Genesis 21-22 caused him to hold to God’s faithfulness. Let’s try this again. Friday Genesis 23-24 Saturday Catch-up Day Sunday Genesis 25-26 Monday Genesis 27-28 Tuesday Genesis 29-30 Wednesday Genesis 31-32 Thursday Genesis 33-34 Friday Genesis 35-36 Saturday Catch-up Day Sunday Genesis 37-38 Monday Genesis 39-40 Tuesday Genesis 41-42 Wednesday Genesis 43-44 Thursday Genesis 45-46 Friday Genesis 47-48 Saturday Genesis 49-50 Sunday Genesis 1-2 Monday Genesis 3-4 Tuesday Genesis 5-6 Wednesday Genesis 7-8 Thursday Genesis 9-10 Friday Genesis 11-12 Saturday Catch-up Day Sunday Genesis 13-14 Monday Genesis 15-16 Tuesday Genesis 17-18 Wednesday Genesis 19-20 Thursday Genesis 21-22 Friday Genesis 23-24 Saturday Catch-up Day Sunday Genesis 25-26 Monday Genesis 27-28 Tuesday Genesis 29-30 Wednesday Genesis 31-32 Thursday Genesis 33-34 Friday Genesis 35-36 Saturday Catch-up Day Sunday Genesis 37-38 Monday Genesis 39-40 Tuesday Genesis 41-42 Wednesday Genesis 43-44 Thursday Genesis 45-46 Friday Genesis 47-48 Saturday Genesis 49-50 4