The book of Genesis serves as a foundation for understanding the human condition and God’s interaction with humanity. Chapter six is particularly pivotal as it details the escalation of human wickedness and the subsequent divine response.
Through a preaching outline of Genesis 6, one gains insight into the gravity of disobedience, the characteristics of Noah who stands as a beacon of righteousness, and the foreboding yet redemptive plans of God amidst a world spiraling into moral chaos.
This chapter introduces key conceptual frameworks around sin, judgment, grace, and redemption, setting the stage for the monumental event of the flood.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Genesis Chapter Five here.
Crafting a sermon around Genesis 6 requires careful navigation through its rich narrative and theological depth. The preacher must communicate the harsh realities of human corruption and the consequences thereof, while underscoring the singular hope found in God’s merciful provision for Noah.
The chapter not only recounts a historical event but also provides contemporary believers with relevant principles on heeding divine instructions and making the most of the time granted to us.
As such a preaching outline for this text should strive to convey its enduring lessons and implications for both individual and collective life.
Key Takeaways
- Genesis 6 highlights the severity of humanity’s sin and God’s grievance over the corruption.
- Noah’s faithfulness is presented as a contrast to his generation, marking him as a key figure of obedience.
- The chapter underscores divine judgment paired with a path towards redemption, affirming God’s justice and grace.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Genesis Chapter Four here.
The State of Humanity
The chapter outlines a decline in the moral fabric of society, depicting rampant wickedness and a notable episode involving the “sons of God” and “daughters of man.”
| Section | Theme | Key Verses | Main Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wickedness of Humanity | Genesis 6:1-5 | – The increase of human population leads to widespread wickedness. |
| – God observes the great evil in human hearts. | |||
| 2 | Divine Grief and Judgment | Genesis 6:6-7 | – God is grieved by humanity’s corruption and plans to cleanse the earth. |
| 3 | Noah Found Favor | Genesis 6:8 | – Noah stands out as righteous and finds favor with God. |
| 4 | The Call to Build the Ark | Genesis 6:9-14 | – Noah’s character and family are introduced. |
| – God instructs Noah to build an ark in preparation for the flood. | |||
| 5 | Covenant with Noah | Genesis 6:15-18 | – Specific dimensions and instructions for the ark are given. |
| – God establishes a covenant with Noah to preserve life through the ark. | |||
| 6 | Instructions for the Flood | Genesis 6:19-22 | – Noah is commanded to bring pairs of all creatures into the ark. |
| – Noah obeys all of God’s commands regarding the ark. |
Rampant Sin and Corruption
As humanity multiplied on the face of earth, there was a marked increase in sin and corruption. The wickedness of man was so great that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
The Scripture paints a grim picture of a society where violence and moral depravity were prevalent, tainting the human race and inciting divine grief.
The Sons of God and Daughters of Man
A complex and much-debated event occurs with the accounts of the sons of God and daughters of men. This section describes the sons of God, possibly referring to the line of Cain, taking wives from the daughters of man, leading to the rise of the Nephilim.
This unusual union is noted in contrast with the pervasive wickedness, suggesting a further layer of corruption and violation of divine order.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Genesis Chapter Three here.
Noah: A Righteous Man in a Wicked World
In a time when the earth was steeped in moral decay, Noah stood out as a beacon of righteousness and faith. His life and actions provided a stark contrast to the pervasive evil of his time.
Noah Finds Favor in God’s Eyes
Noah’s uncommon character is exemplified in his ability to find favor in the eyes of God. Despite being part of a world rife with corruption, his life was marked by righteousness and integrity.
The Genesis 5 genealogy sets the stage for Noah’s lineage from the line of Seth, a lineage known for its pursuit of God.
- Character: Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations, a testament to his exceptional moral and spiritual qualities in a depraved world.
- Grace: It was by God’s grace that Noah was distinguished from his contemporaries, singled out as a recipient of divine favor.
Noah’s Faith and Obedience
The narrative of Noah is not just about survival; it’s a story of unwavering faith and obedience.
- Faith: Noah is heralded in Hebrews 11:7 as an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith. His life demonstrated confidence in God’s promises before the evidence was visible.
- Obedience: Noah’s faithful response to divine warning and judgment took the form of concrete action. He built an ark, as instructed, despite the absence of rain—a revolutionary act of hope and vision.
In summary, Noah was not just a believer amidst a fallen humanity; he actively walked with God. His faith, characterized by trust and obedience, rendered him a righteous example for all generations.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Genesis Chapter Two here.
The Divine Judgment and Promise of Redemption
In Genesis Chapter Six, the narrative pivots to a sobering climax: God’s decision to judge the corrupted earth with a great flood, and His concurrent promise of redemption.
This duality of judgment and salvation unfolds in the life of Noah, an exemplar of faithfulness amid a world that has fallen into moral disarray.
God’s Decision to Destroy
God observed the pervasive wickedness on earth and it grieved Him in His heart. The text mentions that the Lord regretted that He had made man and felt compelled to “blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land” (Genesis 6:6-7).
This divine regret does not suggest an imperfection in God’s nature but underscores His profound sorrow over sin’s corruption.
It was His just character that mandated the judgment—a necessary response to the heart’s wickedness that the Scripture explicitly states “was only evil continually.”
Within this context, the ark figures prominently as the means for salvation. It is a vessel both literal and symbolic, representing the deliverance from judgment.
God’s spirit would not contend with man forever, for he is flesh, and this supernatural intervention reflected God’s sovereignty and purpose in restoring order.
The Covenant with Noah
Against the backdrop of impending destruction, God initiated a covenant with Noah. This covenant signified more than imminent rescue from the flood; it was an emblem of divine faithfulness and the enduring promise of redemption.
The Lord’s instructions to build the ark were accompanied by a pledge: “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). Noah’s righteousness is set apart from the corruption of his time, positioning him as a figure of faithfulness and obedience.
The unfolding plan for salvation was tied to this covenant, with Noah and his family chosen to repopulate and restore the earth following its purging.
Here, the concept of redemption extended past the imminent disaster and foreshadowed a greater redemption that would come through Noah’s lineage, eventually leading to the promise of salvation through the Son.
Related: For more, check out our Preaching Outline On Genesis Chapter One here.
The Preparative Commands for the Ark
In Genesis chapter six, God provides Noah with detailed instructions to construct an Ark in preparation for a great flood that will destroy the corrupt earth.
These commands not only cover the building of the Ark but also the preservation of life through the gathering of species.
Construction of the Ark
Materials and Dimensions: God’s directive to Noah was specific. He was to use “gopher wood” and build the Ark with these dimensions: 300 cubits in length, 50 cubits in width, and 30 cubits in height.
The structure was to have lower, second, and third decks and be made watertight inside and out with pitch.
Rooms and Openings: The Ark was to have rooms for Noah’s family, the animals, and the storage of food.
A crucial component was the window to allow light and the door in the side, which symbolized the entry point to salvation and safety.
The Gathering of Life
Pairing of Creatures: A major aspect of these preparative commands included bringing two of every living creature, both male and female, into the Ark to keep life existent on Earth.
This multiplication was essential for the post-flood regeneration of Earth’s species.
Provisioning: Noah was also instructed to gather and store every kind of food that was edible for both humans and animals. This was to ensure the sustenance of all aboard during their time in the Ark.
Each command from God showed His power and covenant with Noah, who in obedience adhered to the divine blueprint. His faith and actions stood in stark contrast to the choices and abuse seen in humanity, which led to the impending judgment.
As a righteous man, Noah became a vessel for salvation amid a world of giants and angelic beings who had corrupted God’s creation.
The Concept of Time and Opportunities
In Genesis chapter six, time is portrayed as both a delimited opportunity for repentance and a measure of human history through genealogies.
The narrative unfolds with a focus on a specific period allotted for change and the lineages that lead to significant biblical figures.
The 120 Years Grace Period
God declares a 120-year grace period for humanity, during which Noah is to build the ark before the coming deluge. This period signifies time as an opportunity for repentance and a chance for humanity to redirect its path.
The 120 years also highlight the patience and sovereignty of God as He provides mankind with an extended chance to recognize their sins and seek forgiveness.
The Generations and Lifespans
The chapter outlines the generations from Adam through to Noah, showcasing the long lifespans of individuals such as Enoch, who walked faithfully with God.
These generational accounts document the lineage leading up to the days of Noah, creating a timeline that connects important patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, and eventually the nation of Israel.
The genealogy serves as a framework for understanding the progression of time and the unfolding of God’s plan throughout biblical history.
The Theological Themes in Genesis Chapter Six
In Genesis Chapter Six, two dominant themes stand out: the tension between humanity’s depravity and God’s sovereignty, and the interplay of faith, grace, and judgment as God responds to the state of the world.
Humanity’s Depravity and God’s Sovereignty
Genesis Chapter Six presents a stark picture of humanity’s depravity. The scriptures depict a world where the wickedness of humanity is great, and every intention of the thoughts of the human heart is only evil continually.
This period is marked by an increase in population and the union described between the “sons of God” and the daughters of men, leading to a rise in evil. The Lord saw this moral decay and was grieved that He had made man on the earth.
Conversely, the same passage also underscores God’s sovereignty. Despite humanity’s failings, God maintains control over his creation.
His decision to bring about destruction upon the wicked world through a flood is a divine response, demonstrating His authority over the moral direction of humanity and the created order.
Faith, Grace, and Judgment
This chapter of Genesis is not without a glimmer of hope. In contrast to the condemned world, Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
This signifies the presence of grace in a time where judgment loomed over creation. Noah’s righteousness and blameless life in the midst of a corrupt generation set him apart, highlighting the theme of faith.
The impending judgment of the flood serves as an answer to profound questions about God’s response to unrestrained human wickedness.
The scriptures position the flood not just as a means of destruction but also as a tool of divine judgment, separating the righteous from the wicked, and setting a precedent for the relationship between sin and divine retribution.
Noah, the Preacher of Righteousness
Noah stands out in Genesis chapter six as a herald of God’s righteousness. Entrusted with a divine message, he not only warned his contemporaries about the coming judgment but also exemplified a life of faith and obedience.
Warning and Witness to His Generation
Noah was tasked with the daunting challenge of warning his contemporaries of God’s impending judgment due to their wickedness. As a preacher of righteousness, Noah’s life was a testament to his unwavering faith in the face of overwhelming moral decay.
The book of Genesis highlights his role as a lone herald among a skeptical and corrupt generation, while the New Testament reaffirms his mission, aligning his witness with his work on the Ark which stood as a tangible sign of the coming deluge.
Comparison with Other Biblical Figures
Noah’s testimony echoes through the lives of other Biblical figures. Like Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Noah was an heir of righteousness by faith, a concept expanded upon in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
His trust in God’s promises mirrored Abraham’s; his role in his family’s preservation paralleled Isaac’s provision of a lineage; and Israel, who later became a nation set apart, can find its early roots in Noah’s distinct fellowship with God.
Yet, unlike the collective redemption embodied by Israel’s story, Noah’s task was singular and his salvation, immediate but personal—foreshadowing the individual deliverance offered through Christ, the Son of Man.
Noah’s life demonstrates a pattern for righteousness that points ultimately to Jesus, the ultimate savior who brings eternal redemption.
