What’s up, WALK THRU Crew!
At WALK THRU, we dive beneath the surface of scripture to uncover hidden gems that have been waiting for you all along. Whether you know all the kings in Chronicles in order or are just beginning your journey, I'm thrilled you're here as we examine the extraordinary in what might seem ordinary.
For years, I struggled with a porn addiction. Each morning after falling into temptation, I'd wake up with this overwhelming sense of regret and shame, a heaviness that seemed to crush my spirit. I'd look in the mirror and barely recognize the person staring back at me, grieved by my own actions and choices. That's exactly how I feel every time I read Genesis 6.
When God looks at humanity and His heart grieves over their corruption, I understand that feeling on a deeply personal level. It's not just the prelude to a flood story – it's a profound glimpse into the heart of God and His relationship with humanity, including His response to our brokenness and His unwavering offer of grace.
The Dance of Corruption
Genesis 6 moves with the weight of mounting tension. "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become." This simple yet haunting observation sets the stage for everything that follows. The pattern is sobering:
Humanity multiplies → Evil increases → God observes → God's heart grieves
This isn't just literary structure – it's revealing something profound about God's nature. He isn't a distant, detached deity. He's deeply invested, personally affected by His creation's choices. Each verse builds upon the previous one, creating an intricate tapestry of divine-human relationship.
Breaking Down the Chapter
Verses 1-4: The mysterious sons of God
Verses 5-7: God's grief and decision
Verses 8-10: Noah finds grace
Verses 11-13: The earth's corruption detailed
Verses 14-22: Instructions for salvation
The chapter begins with supernatural boundaries being crossed and ends with precise measurements for an ark. It moves from chaos to order, from corruption to preservation.
Christ as our Ark
Genesis 6 reveals a profound foreshadowing of the gospel narrative. Just as mankind's corruption led God to provide one way of salvation through Noah's ark, our sin would later require God to provide one way of salvation through Christ. Noah, described as "righteous" and one who "walked with God," prefigures Christ as the perfectly righteous one.
The ark itself becomes a powerful type of Christ – just as there was only one door into the ark through which anyone could be saved from judgment, Jesus would later declare "I am the door" (John 10:9), offering the only way to salvation. The waters of the flood, which both judged sin and cleansed the world, point forward to how Christ's death both judges our sin and cleanses us from it.
Even the dimensions and specifications God gave for the ark parallel how salvation through Christ is precisely planned by God, not left to human design. Most powerfully, while Genesis 6 shows God grieving over human sin, this same divine grief would later lead to Christ's incarnation and sacrifice, revealing that God's response to human corruption isn't just judgment, but also provides a way of redemption.
The Human Element: Noah's Character
When we reach Noah's introduction, the tone shifts. Suddenly, the text becomes personal. In a world full of wickedness, one man stands out – not because he's perfect, but because he "walks with God." "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8).
This is revolutionary. In a world where everyone else was following their own desires, Noah chose relationship with God. He's not just a boat-builder – he's a bearer of hope, a preserver of both humanity and divine purpose.
Why This Matters Today
Genesis 6 isn't just ancient history – it's a foundation for understanding:
Divine Emotion: God experiences genuine feelings about human behavior Human
Choice: Our actions have cosmic consequences
Grace in Judgment: Even in darkness, God preserves hope
Purpose: We're called to faithfulness even when surrounded by corruption
Too often, we get caught up in debates about Genesis 6's more sensational elements – who were the Nephilim? What about the sons of God? While those discussions have their place, we miss something crucial when that's our only focus. This chapter is primarily about relationships:
God's emotional connection to humanity
The corruption of human relationships
The preservation of divine-human fellowship
CHILL OUT!!!
Even in humanity's darkest chapter - when EVERY thought was evil continually, when violence filled the earth, when things were so bad that God was grieved to His heart - the text suddenly breaks through with these words: "But Noah found GRACE."
Think about that! The first mention of GRACE in the entire Bible comes at humanity's lowest point! When everything was at its worst, grace made its debut. That's not a coincidence - it's a revelation of God's character!
In fact, before God ever mentioned building an ark, before He gave any instructions or commands, before Noah did ANYTHING - he FOUND GRACE. The Hebrew word "matsa" (found) suggests Noah stumbled upon it, like finding treasure. He didn't earn it, work for it, or deserve it - he found it!
And here's the mic drop moment: This means that even God's judgment (the flood) began with grace! When everything was falling apart, grace showed up first. When humanity hit rock bottom, grace was waiting there. When all seemed lost, grace had already been planted like a seed of hope.
That's why Noah didn't just build a boat - he built an arc of grace that would carry not just his family but the promise of redemption through the waters of judgment.
If grace could show up there, in Genesis 6, at humanity's darkest hour... imagine what grace is doing in your situation right now!
Your Turn to Walk Through
As you read Genesis 6 again (and I encourage you to do so), consider:
What does God's emotional response tell us about His character?
How does Noah's example inspire faithfulness in our own context?
Where do you see parallels between the corruption of Noah's day and our current challenges?
Remember, this isn't just an ancient flood story – it's a revelation of God's heart, a testament to His grace, and an invitation to walk with Him even in the darkest times.
Join the Conversation
I'd love to hear your thoughts on Genesis 6 and how it speaks to your own journey. Share your insights, questions, or personal reflections below - this is a space where we can walk through scripture together. Let’s GO!
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The insight letting us know that this is where Grace is first mentioned in the Bible is great , never realized it. Loved this !