Low Pressure System-Genesis 6:1-8

This past week I met a woman whose daughter is a missionary in Haiti. While doing missions in Haiti is always difficult, things were made even more precarious this past week as hurricane Matthew blew over this island nation leading to all kinds of devastation. Storms like these and other smaller depressions form in what are called low pressure systems. When we watch the weather report, the meteorologist often shows where high pressure zones and low pressure zones are lurking in order to help explain how they predict where any thunderstorms may form. High pressure systems produce clear skies, low pressure systems produce clouds and potential rain. This is because of the rotation that happens as a result of a two areas of wind divergence: one cold, and one hot. The circular motion this creates draws moisture into the system, making it ripe for precipitation and even, depending on how large the system is, the potential for huge storms.

As we re-enter the Genesis narrative, we see a huge low pressure system looming in the forecast that forms as a result of two areas of wind divergence present in the world. Ultimately, the elements involved in this system in both a literal and figurative way inevitably lead to a huge storm of God’s wrath that will help us appreciate God’s holiness and His amazing grace. Let us take a look at how this low pressure system forms in Genesis 6:1-8.

1. First Area of Wind Divergence-The Greatness of Human Potential-6:1-4

The first area of win divergence might be compared to the warm weather current necessary to create a low-pressure system. For our passage, these are the positive and/powerful characteristics found within mankind, giving them unprecedented potential.

The first indicator of mankind’s great potential is witnessed in its ability and tendency toward reproduction. at this point in history, mankind was doing his part in dominating the world with progeny (making good on the command given them by God in Genesis 1 to “be fruitful and multiply”). This tendency toward progeny is illustrated in chapter 5 with the genealogy of Adam. As a kind of summary note, 6:1 indicates that mankind’s presence in the world was widespread and growing-- Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them That the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful,….” (6:1-2a).

In concert with and ever prior to procreation, these “sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose” (6:2b). Though this might appear relatively easy to interpret, what follows next casts some shade on the characters implicated in this verse, leaving readers with many questions. First “who are the sons of God?” Three options have engendered a large following: (1) “Sons of God” are angelic or celestial beings who defied God by moving outside their appointed realm and married human women. However, there is no identification of an angelic host, at least in the sense of a heavenly court, in Genesis up to this point. Moreover, chapter 6 deals with humanity and its outcome, not angels and their punishment. The flood that ensues is God’s judgment on mankind, not his angelic host. (2) Alternatively, Jewish interprets have understood the “sons of God” as human judges or rulers. However, though individual kings were referred to as “sons of God,” no evidence can be marshaled for groups of kings in the ancient Near East bearing the name, “sons of gods.” (3) Church Fathers, such as Augustine, as well as the Reformers interpreted the “sons of God” as a reference to “godly men,” that is, the righteous lineage of Seth (Abel and Cain’s other brother). Chapters 4 and 5 contrast the two lines of descent from Adam—the Cainites and Sethites. Genesis 6:1-8 relates how the two lines intermarry, resulting in a community of unprecedented wickedness. This is the most attractive answer to the question: “who are the sons of God” (discussion provided by Matthews, 322-330).

Along with multiplication and marriage, God sees to it that mankind understands that his time on earth is limited—“then the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years’” (6:3). The limitation set for mankind’s lifespan comes as a direct result of the Lord’s spirit being withheld, leaving human bodies to regress and age.

To be sure, many, including Noah himself, lived well beyond 120 years. However, in the same way that the penalty of death for Adam and Eve was not immediately executed (2:17; 3:16-19), so too did God’s grace linger for many after the flood to give them long life. Interestingly, Moses, who lived 120 years (Deut. 31:2; 34:7), may have become hailed as the ideal achievement—living as long as God suggest men ought to live. Later, in Psalm 90:10, seventy years was recognized as the realistic norm.

Though this is a direct result of the curse brought on by Adam and Eve’s sin (death), it is also a blessing to know that one’s days are numbered, for, it ought to motivate stewardship and urgency with one’s time.

The fourth element contributing to the first area of wind divergence is the power that characterized mankind’s environment and own constitution. First, the Bible says in verse 4, “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days,…”. The identity of the “Nephilim” and their relationship, if any, to the marriages of verse 2 is perplexing. This word occurs only one other time in all of the Scriptures (Num. 13:33) where it refers to an indigenous people inhabiting Canaan. For this context however, the question becomes, “Are these the offspring of the marriages in verse 2 or merely other contemporaries dwelling on the earth?” The word itself simply refers to a group or a class. Some play on the etymology of this word and associate Nephilim with Napal which means “to fall,” believing that this simply refers to “fallen ones.” Others understand this word to refer to giants, highlighting its use in Numbers 13 in which the spies were frightened by the presence of the Nephilim when they infiltrated the land of Canaan.  Still others believe that the Nephilim are products of the marital unions between the sons of God and women of verse 2. However, “in those days” suggests that these were present alongside the marriages already described.

While the jury is still out on who exactly the Nephilim are, it appears to be associated with a reputation of might (potentially for good or evil). This interpretation is supported by the children described in the next part of verse 4—“and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown” (6:4b).  These are a warrior class, men of ignoble reputation whose violent exploits are remembered and whose names strike fear in the hearts of their hearers. They are identified as “men of renown,” not divine.  This means that despite their notorious achievements they are no more than “men,” subject to the same judgment as any (Matthews, 338-39). 

Ultimately, it appears as though, whether in the Nephilim or the progeny of the sons of God, mankind’s presence in the world and the presence of others (the Nephilim) rendered planet earth an awesome place. It was teaming with potential as these powerful elements worked alongside the miracle of procreation, wonder of marriage, and urgency of limited time. It would seem as though mankind had all that it needed to leave an indelible mark for good or for bad on the earth. Unfortunately, as the second area of wind divergence reveals, these chose the latter.

2. The Second Area of Wind Divergence-The Acuity of Human Failure-6:5-8

6:5 reveals how bad things have become on the earth in spite of the potential portrayed in verses 1-4—“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth…”. The totality and pervasive quality of the evil is highlighted by the phrase “on the earth” (a phrase repeated several times in this passage). While the men saw beauty among the women and chose them for their wives, God saw wickedness resulting from these same men on a wide scale. Earlier in Genesis, God saw everything and “it was good.” Now as He looked upon the earth’s landscape, and it conveyed the opposite. Though God’s grace had allowed men to multiply, along with the multiplication of men and women came a harvest of sin. These outer manifestations of wickedness betrayed the dark condition of the human heart during this period.  

The Bible continues and says, “Every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (6:5b). Early, the writer calls men born from these marriages “men of renown,” however, God sees a totally different picture. From the hearts of these men sprung evil tendencies. From his mind evil plans were executed. All of this occurred on a consistent basis. The good that God created in the beginning had been transformed by mankind into the very opposite of what was intended.

Pervasive wickedness acts as the second area of wind divergence—the cold air system that approaches from the opposite direction of the warm area system. When these two meet, low pressure is produced, making it easier for the production of storms. Here in Genesis—the warmth of mankind’s potential and the cold reality of mankind’s unyielding endorsement of sin, forms the conditions necessary to produce a storm of epic proportions.

Reacting to this low-pressure system, the writer of Genesis has to anthropomorphize God’s discontent in order to demonstrate its acuity—“The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart” (6:6). Though the theological implications of verses like this are subjects of debate (How could God possibly be sorry for something He did? Etc.), the major point of this passage is simple—God was ablaze with great wrath, anger, disappointment, and sorrow. Though some might argue that an unchanging God is unable to feel these kinds of emotions, this is certainly not the case. If we concede that God is all-loving and holy, it is a forever quality of His that every time evil is confronted or betrayal is witnessed, He responds with grief and sorrow respectively.

Look how far man had fallen in such a short time. Adam and Eve ate fruit against God’s command (in an attempt to be God), Cain killed his brother (after burning with hatred), and now, even at this early time in history “every intent of the thoughts of [man’s] heart was only evil continually.” Just imagine how disappointed you would be if you gave your greatest creation every opportunity for success and every vehicle to reach full potential just to see this squandered in wickedness.

Perhaps this helps us understand why God decides to judge the world in the way that He does—“The Lord said, ‘I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them’…” (6:7). Rather than return glory back to his creator, Mankind and his sin had left the world horribly stained, thereby ruining the paradise God had created. The multiplication of mankind only multiplied his wretchedness. Rendering the conditions especially ripe for a wrathful storm.

Notice too that mankind’s sin suffered global implications. Just as Adam’s sin cursed the ground, animal life suffers as a result of human iniquity---“”from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky,…”(6:7). This demonstrates that sin affects not only one’s person, but one’s world. The consequences of sin are always more egregious than meets the eye.

The stain of sin in the world was so bad that God throws the whole thing in the wash (The Tide To-go pin would not suffice). The low pressure system is already in place, next would come the greatest storm to ever hit the earth—a storm so great that it cannot be categorized or measured against any hurricane or tornado—a storm that would effectively destroy the entire planet and all its inhabitants, including the animals. Truly, the coming catastrophe used to “blot out” humans and animals in Genesis does not even compare to what is depicted in the book of Revelation in scale or scope. However, can we blame a holy God for doing this? If every inclination of every man was always wicked all the time and mankind stood over all of God’s created things (see Genesis 1), does it not stand to reason that God is totally justified in punishing the world with certain death? Absolutely!

But wait! What is this? A glimpse of…wait for it….grace? Though all were guilty and deserving of a watery demise the Bible continues by saying “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (6:8). Talk about big ”buts” in the Bible! In spite of all the wickedness, in spite of all the heartache, and in spite of His holiness and justified wrath, God shows grace to a man named Noah and, as we will soon learn, will use him mightily to save the human race from deserved extinction.

So What?

The low pressure system witnessed in this passage is not unlike what we are currently witnessing in our culture today. Mankind is teaming with potential, especially in America, as great wealth and institutions continue to gain influence. Human beings, unlike any other time in history have capabilities and capacities never before dreamed of. For instance, there is more technology in a smart phone than in the Saturn five rocket. Telecommunications and digital information is growing at an exponential rate. Our connectedness to this information and to each other is lightning fast. Whether in the field of philosophy, finance, art, or anthropology, human beings have all kinds of tools at their disposal to do good and, by proxy glorify God. However, the warm wind divergence this potential has created perpetually mixes with the cold winds of depravity. The greatness of human potential is all too often used for selfish, greedy, and nefarious purposes. As a result, people are more oppressed, more depressed, and more confused than they have ever been before. Just ask yourself the following question: “What has all of this advancement and acumen in the human race provided?” the answer is a generation in which humor has been exchanged for political correctness, truth has been relativized into oblivion, God has been erased from the social commentary, and people do not even know if they are male or female.

Given what we have learned from this passage, two things are certain. God is not pleased with a wicked world and will judge it accordingly. His holiness demands it. However, it is also clear from this passage that God’s grace allows for salvation in spite of great sin. These principles ought to inspire reverence for God’s holiness and praise for God’s love. Take heart church, God will deal soundly with this wicked world. He has done it before and the Bible promises that, albeit in different ways, He will do it again. Though this forecast may seem grim, we also have reason to celebrate. God has saved us from the storm in spite of ourselves! We have found favor in God’s eyes and will be given all that we need to weather the storm that the elements have created.