Genesis 6 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Genesis 6

WHEN:

• According to the genealogical record found in Genesis 5, God caused the earth to flood approximately 1650 years after the world was created.  

CHARACTERS:

• Wicked People – The earth was full of wickedness, corruption, and violence (Gen 6:5, 11)

• Noah – The son of Lamech. One of the few people on earth who honored God.

• Noah’s Wife – According to Jewish tradition her name was Naamah (Gen 4:22).

• Noah’s Sons and Their Wives – They accompanied Noah on the ark during the flood.

WHERE:

• We aren’t told exactly where Noah and his family lived when God spoke to him and told him to build an ark.

• The flood foretold in this chapter was to be a worldwide flood. The water would cover the entire face of the earth.

OUTLINE:

• THE WICKEDNESS OF THE EARTH (6:1-7):

  • Genesis 6 begins by telling us of the union between the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men.”

  • The “sons of God” found the “daughters of men” very attractive, and they took them as their wives.

  • Their offspring were known as the Nephilim and are described as “mighty men who were of old, the men of renown” (see also Numbers 13:33).

  • God was not pleased with the union of these two groups.

  • God looked at the world He created and observed the spread of wickedness in the hearts of men.

  • “The wickedness of man was great” and “every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

  • The world was filled with violence and corruption (6:22-12).

  • God decided to wipe man and beast from the face of the earth.

  • He determined to let them remain alive for an additional 120 years (6:3). The reason for this will be explained in the following section.

• NOAH, THE FLOOD, AND THE ARK (6:8-22):

  • One righteous man, named Noah, found favor in the eyes of God.

  • God told Noah He had resolved to destroy mankind and told him to construct an ark. 

  • The ark was to be made from gopher wood and covered with pitch.

  • It was to be 300 cubits long (a cubit was roughly 18 inches), 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits tall.

  • God planned to destroy mankind with a global flood, but the ark would preserve Noah and his family.

  • The ark was to be the salvation for the human species, but it was also intended to save the animal kingdom. 

  • Noah was told to gather pairs of every kind of animal and put them on the ark. 

  • He was instructed to start gathering food for his family and the animals onboard.

  • Noah did exactly as the Lord commanded.

APPLICATION:

• Those who honor God are not forgotten by Him.

• Although Noah’s family made up a miniscule percentage of the world’s population, they’re faithfulness did not go unnoticed by God.

• Their devotion was recognized and rewarded. 

• No follower of God is forgotten by the one he/she worships.

• No matter how insignificant you are to others, God sees your small light shining in the darkness.