TORAH, GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS GENESIS 6 - STORY OF NOAH BEGINS Say - Welcome to Sabbath School class. Let's bow our head as we begin the story of Noah and ask God for understanding in our study today. Say - 1And it came to pass, when men (general term for human beings here) began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose (evil was beginning as those who at one time followed God "took wives of any they chose" and made God their enemy). Say - The "sons of God" in verse 2 above are those called of God and have His spirit, please read, 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The (the power of God's)Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God Romans 8:12-16. 3And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive (plead or judge forever and God's judgment was the great flood ) with man, for that he also is flesh (utterly hopeless in his sins and opposed to God): yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years (God gave them 120 years to repent and turn to following Him; this shows the patience, mercy and love of God for He "...is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" 2Peter 2:9). Say - (In verse 4, there are two subjects, one subject is the "giants" and the other subject is the "mighty men", also verse 4 is not part of verse 3 but in addition to verse 3) 4There were giants (heroes to the wicked falling on, attacking) in the earth in those days (in the days of Noah); and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men ("heroes" of Greek mythology) which were of old, men of renown (well known heroes). 5And God saw that the wickedness (moral depravity) of man was great (multiplying) in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Remember God's purpose for creating man was to make them in His image, to be like Him in thought and purpose and deed. They were to be full of mercy, love, and preserve the earth as the pleasant Garden of Eden He had created. However man fell far short;
everyone chose evil over good for without the spirit of God, the heart of man creates evil thoughts continually.) Say - Now God would step in and show the generations what their evilness would bring upon them by judgments of a very great calamity and the Bible tells us He will again at the end of this age unless the world repents and turns to following the only True God. God tells us, "11Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 13But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God Ecclesiastes 8:11-13. Also "11Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him" Isaiah 3:11. The spiritual meaning of this verse is of course the law of the spirit which is "good" and the law of the flesh in man which is "evil". It is a constant battle which we all go through between choosing the law of the flesh of our passions, appetites, struggling against human nature as one deals with the temptations which pull us away from God and the law of God's goodness. However for those whom God has "called" and are converted and have God's spirit we are able to overcome this evilness by seeking and doing the will of God then we will be called the "sons of God". Say - Romans 7 discusses this subject of how the heart of man creates evil thoughts continually and the journey we all go through, "14For we know (the apostles, disciples or anyone who follows Christ in contrast to the false prophets) that the law is spiritual (governed by the spirit or power of God): but I (Paul) am carnal (governed by the human nature), sold under sin (a slave to sin). 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I (Paul is expressing the constant decision between the Law of God and the law of evil). 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent (confess) unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me (I really want to do the right thing); but how to perform that which is good I find not (Here lies the reason for God's grace, we are not perfect, we need His grace or mercy and pardon to overcome sin daily by sincere repentance.). Paul continued, 19For the good that I would (that I want to do) I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me ("Good" is the Law of God, "evil" is the law of the flesh or human nature. Those converted
today are just like Paul who have been given God's spirit or the power to overcome sin and Paul is expressing the battle and he is telling us it takes a life time to become like Christ but we must strive to overcome sin daily and that is why we need Christ the Healer or we will end up like the people of Noah's day" Romans 7:14-20) 6And it repented the LORD (regretted was sorry) that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7And the LORD said, I will destroy (blot out) man whom I have created from the face of the earth (Noah and his family were the only exceptions); both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them (God is going to destroy everything, birds, beast and man). 8But Noah (means rest) found grace (mercy, forgiveness) in the eyes of the LORD (It is amazing out of the multitude of people on the earth by this time, God found favor in only one man. Why was this so? Just as today, Noah had the same choice as all the other people but he chose the good way which leads to eternal life. It is called the "strait and narrow way" in spite of the entire world around him which chose the "broad way which led them to destruction" Matthew 7:13). 9These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations (God is comforted by Noah. Noah was "perfect" in the sense he was completely blameless or without blemish and completely innocent before God for all the evil of the world. He was perfect in the sense that he desired to please God and do His will because he loved God, had faith in God and Noah wanted to be with God.), and Noah walked with God (not contrary to Him). 10And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence (Instead of choosing a life of peace, they did what seemed right in their own eyes, instead of peace there was great violence and fighting. God gives us a warning about the end time of this age we live in. The Bible tells us "37But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, Matthew 24:37, 38). Say - We can ask ourselves, where does God fit in our lives? Where does God fit into the lives of the majority of people in the world today? How many are willing to follow God and seek to know Him; how many does God's spirit dwell in? How many people "walk with God" as Noah did? How many make up their own religion, write
their own rules as they go and do what seems right in their own eyes? How much violence do we have in our world, are we a peaceful nation, dripping with love, honor, peace, compassion, honesty, kindness, innocence like the Garden of Eden? Say - Or are we a divided nation because we all have our own gods, own ideas, favorite leaders none of which is our Creator? How about our children; how many more "Amber Alerts" will we hear. God knows our hearts just as in the days of Noah and God is patient. While we can't become holy overnight, we need to overcome through sincere repentance of our sins daily. It is a life long process of purging and cleansing and changing bad habits which are contrary to God. We must earnestly seek His will through praying to Him and studying God's Word for it is full of good Instructions which will lead to eternal life. Say - Also God allows us all to go through trials so we won't forget the next time; that is how we learn. The spirit of rebellion is constantly in us; most people do not want to change even though many are in misery. We must remember ALL of God's ways bring harmony; it is our way which brings division and confusion but He allows us to learn the hard way sometimes. He tells us "He humbles us so He can exalt us" Matthew 23:12. Say - 12And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth (Everything was corrupted by every other living thing. God was fed up and He soon will be once again.) 13And God (the Creator Jesus Christ) said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth (Verses 13-21 are instructions for Noah's deliverance from the coming judgment of the flood). 14Make thee an ark (a floating building, same word as the "ark of bulrushes" Moses was put in as he floated down the Nile River, Exodus 2:3) of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch ("pitch" means to coat the ark or COVER the ark as in the word "ATONEMENT" for it is the "COVERING" that will keep the waters of judgment from them). Say - It is important for God's people to understand that Jesus Christ is our "ARK", our DELIVERER, and our SAVIOUR from the coming end-time judgment or last plagues upon the earth. God tells us, " 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people (come out of Babylon, religious confusion), that ye be not partakers of
her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" Revelation 18:4, Jeremiah 51:6, 9, 45. Say - It is equally important for God's people to understand Christ is our "COVER" our "ATONEMENT" by the atoning blood of Christ which will keep us from the soon coming judgment upon this earth. God tells us, " 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement" Romans 5:9-11, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, I Thessalonians 1:10, I John 1:7. Say - God tells us His people are to pray, " 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings" Psalm 17:8. God's people are to trust in God for " 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler" Psalm 91:4, 36:7. Say - Back to instructions for Noah's deliverance from the coming judgment of the flood 15And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits (The ark was a huge house designed to float, not sail. It was 547 ft. long, 91' 2" wide and 47 1/2' 2" high). 16A window (a place for light) shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. 17And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die (all were totally evil, God would put them to sleep until the 2nd resurrection pictured by the Last Great Day). 18But with thee (Noah) will I establish my covenant (A special agreement or promise of deliverance from the evil and it is the same for God's people today. Upon repentance of sin, baptism and receiving God's spirit, we agreed to a "marriage covenant" and ratified it with the blood of Christ symbolized by the wine at Passover. Just like Noah, we each are faced with the same decision; which way are we going to choose; I hope we choose life.); and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. 19And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee (to preserve the species); they shall be male and female (verses 19-21 are the terms of the agreement or covenant or promise). 20Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
21And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. 22Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he (Notice Noah did not change or omit any instruction from God; he followed every step faithfully. Noah knew the key to being spared; it was OBEDIENCE out of love and faith in God His Creator. How about us, when we choose to follow God and love Him as He loves us, in the midst of destruction, terror, disease etc. God will provide protection, safety or deliverance from the ultimate destruction. What will happen to all of those people who were destroyed in the flood? They will live again and the answer is revealed in God's Holy Day called "The Last Great Day"; it is very good news!) MEMORY VERSE Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him; so did he. Genesis 6:22 SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON FOR TOTS BELOW
THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY OF NOAH IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, WHEN MEN WERE MULTIPLYING UPON THE EARTH; THEY MARRIED UNGODLY WIVES OF ANY THEY CHOSE AND SOON EVILNESS SET IN AND GREW WORSE AND WORSE. GOD SAID, "I WILL NOT ALWAYS PLEAD WITH MAN" FOR I KNOW HE IS FLESH AND HOPELESS IN HIS SINS; "120 YEARS I WILL GIVE THEM, LONGSUFFERING I WILL BE FOR "I'M NOT WILLING ANY SHOULD PERISH" OH THAT THEY WOULD TURN TO ME AND REPENT OF THIER SINS. BUT THE WICKEDNESS GREW GREATER AND GREATER UPON THE EARTH AND THE THOUGHTS OF MAN WERE "CONTINUALLY EVIL"; GOD BECAME SORRY HE HAD CREATED MAN, OH HIS "HEART WAS GRIEVED". GOD SAID, "I WILL DESTROY MAN AND BEAST AND EVERY CREEPING THING"; BUT NOAH WAS RIGHTEOUS, JUST AND PERFECT UNTO GOD, FOR HE FOLLOWED GOD, WANTED TO PLEASE GOD AND "WALKED WITH GOD IN ALL HIS WAYS". "MAKE AN ARK" GOD TOLD NOAH, A FLOATING BUILDING AND "COVER THE ARK WITH PITCH INSIDE AND OUT"; "PUT A WINDOW FOR LIGHT AND A DOOR ON THE SIDE AND MAKE THE ARK 3 STORIES HIGH; MAKE THE ARK OF GOPHER WOOD FOR I WANT IT STRONG AND STOUT". "I WILL BRING A FLOOD OF WATERS UPON THE EARTH TO DESTROY ALL LIFE" YOU SEE; "BUT WITH NOAH AN AGREEMENT OR COVENANT I WILL MAKE FOR YOU SHALL COME INTO THE ARK AND ALL YOU FAMILY". "TWO OF EVERY LIVING THING, OF THE FOWL AND CATTLE AND EVERY CREEPING THING"; "MALE AND FEMALE, TO KEEP THEM ALIVE YOU SHALL BRING WITH YOU". NOW "GATHER FOOD FROM OFF THE EARTH FOR YOU AND ALL LIVING THINGS". AND NOAH DID ALL THAT GOD COMMANDED GENESIS 6:22