A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns

would be that son, Noah, who sailed on the waters of a flood which destroyed the world that then
existed and became the genetic father of the present world.
Noah lived in a world not too unlike contemporary society. Jesus spoke of that society as
“eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark”
(Matt. 24:38). It was a time “when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore
children to them” (Gen. 6:4). Some interpreters suggest this involved sexual relations between
fallen angels (or demons) and the human race. They argue that: (1) the term “sons of God” always
means angels in the Old Testament; (2) the results were giants (v. 4); (3) the Flood was not a
natural consequence but was a universal judgment of such vast devastations that eliminated any
trace of sin and the unnatural offspring of the cohabitation between angels and women; (4) the
angels were locked in hell (Tautarus) till judgment (2 Peter 2:4) and that the context suggests the
Flood; (5) early Hebrew and Christian tradition held the “sons of God” were fallen angels.
Others argue the statement records the breakdown of separation between the world and
God’s people; i.e., the godly line of Seth intermarrying with the ungodly line of Cain. They argue
that (1) the previous two chapters list the godly and ungodly genealogies separately so that this
cohabitation grows out of the context; (2) Jesus said angels do not reproduce (Matt. 22:30).
A third view interprets the “sons of God” as a military title referring to the practice of
soldiers finding wives among the women of a captive city. Whatever that activity may have
actually involved, the biblical record suggests that it, like all of society, was permeated with evil.
It was in this evil world that “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8).
THE FAITH OF NOAH
(Gen. 6:8-22; Heb. 11:7)
Noah is listed in the New Testament Hall of Faith chapter as one of those who
demonstrated faith (Heb. 11:7). He is further identified as one of only two antediluvians of
whom it was said he “walked with God” (Gen. 6:9; cf. 5:24). In contrast to the wickedness of his
age, Noah was one to whom God could entrust saving humanity and salvaging the world, or at
least that part of the world worth salvaging.
The Scriptures note of this man, “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations” (6:9).
Here was one who understood the need for both faith and works. That he could be described as a
“just man”; i.e., one who was justified by God, suggests he had already expressed faith in God
for it is by faith that a man is justified (Rom. 5:1). On the other hand, his life was exemplary in
that he was “perfect in his generations.” His faith was evident in his works. He warned others of
the coming judgment. A New Testament apostle described Noah as “a preacher of righteousness”
(2 Peter 2:5). He certainly had a lifestyle that gave authority to his message.
There is some difference of opinion as to the duration of Noah’s pre-Flood ministry. Some
commentators believe it lasted 120 years assuming Noah began his ministry warning the people of
a coming end to the race (Gen. 6:3). On the other hand, Noah’s sons were only a hundred years old
when they entered the ark and appear to have been married before God assigned Noah the task of
building it (v. 18). Regardless of the duration of his ministry, all are agreed as to its results. Apart
from his wife, sons, and their wives, Noah was apparently unsuccessful in convincing others of the
danger.
The greatest evidence of faith in the life of Noah was his building of an ark. Two
particularly significant facts help to better understand the extent of Noah’s faith. First, it had never
before rained on the earth. Noah himself was apparently not told of the rain until the final week of