Origins: The Beginning (Genesis 1–11)Sample

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.” Genesis 6:1-2 (NKJV)

Some passages of the Bible just naturally lend themselves to an inspirational devotional. This isn’t one of them! Actually, this is one of the more controversial and confusing passages of Scripture. However, there’s still a precious pearl of truth that we’ll extract from it. Before we get there, we need to understand the context.

Things have gone from horrible to horrific for humanity. Sin is infecting the world so badly that God is going to take some drastic measures to save it, just as a doctor would amputate a limb in order to save a life. We’re told that in these days the “sons of God” took the “daughters of men” to be their wives, which is a polite way of saying they procreated with them. 

What’s especially unnerving about this is that the term “sons of God” is the same Hebrew term consistently used to describe angelic beings (Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7). If that interpretation holds true, then it would appear that the Bible is describing an unholy union between mortal women and fallen angels of some sort. 

Like I said, this isn’t your typical devotional! Now notice what this passage goes on to tell us: “And the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years’” (Genesis 6:3 NKJV).

God saw what was happening and decided it had to be stopped, that His Spirit would not strive or contend with this indefinitely. He would give humanity another 120 years, but He would then intervene.

This is the truth concerning God that we need to take away from this text: Regardless of the exact nature of what was happening, we know it was bad. God saw it and was determined to act against it. His judgment didn’t come immediately. Time would be given to a man named Noah for a special mission. But in the end, God intervened and did what He knew to be necessary.

All of us endure times when it seems like everything is chaotic and out of control. We desperately cry out for divine intervention to bring an end to something that seems beyond us. Rest assured, just as He did when the world was much worse, God will intervene—according to His perfect timing.

DIG: What was needed in this passage?

DISCOVER: What does this reveal to us about God? What comfort can you take from this?

DO: Examine your life for a bit today. Is there anything that, on the surface, doesn’t seem like a bad thing, but the Lord is still tugging at your heart about it? Seek His wisdom in prayer and search His Word. Seek to discover what the Lord is trying to tell you in this area and come to a place of obedience.