The Great Flood

Today’s Reading: Genesis 6; Matthew 6; Ezra 6; Acts 6

View of storm seascape

The Flood has been a great source of questions for me but none more than why. Why would God do this? From today’s reading, recent studies, and a most interesting lesson from a good friend; I think perhaps another piece as to why this happened, has fallen into place for me. Along a journey that starts in the Garden of Eden and ends in Revelation I think some clues are provided as to why.

Our journey starts where the conflict started, in the Garden of Eden. Satan has tossed in a wrench of deception in God’s perfect creation which led to the fall of man. God is allotting the punishment for the tragic episode and it is the serpent’s turn:  

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. -Genesis 3:15

Interesting. So the seed of the woman will bruise the head of satan. 

Similar to how satan attempts to foil God’s design in the Garden of Eden we see again satan’s attempt to thwart God’s judgement three chapters latter in the prolog to the story of the Flood. If the seed of the woman were to bruise the serpent’s head, is it possible that he would attempt corrupt her offspring to cut off God’s planned judgement from the source?

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,  That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.Genesis 6:1–3

From my research the majority of Bible Scholars seem to hold that the term here ‘sons of God’ is in reference to angels. If anyone will ever know for certain I am not quite sure. Whether it was satan and his angels who laid with the daughters of Eve, Cain’s line intermarrying with Adam’s new seed (Gen 4:25) which was Seth’s line, or something else happened here, the result is certain and clear; a corruption of the generations or otherwise put; a corruption of the offspring. 

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. -Genesis 6:5

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. -Genesis 6:11–12

But lo, there was still one who was “perfect in his generations.” A remnant from which God would replenish the earth.

These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. -Genesis 6:9

By replenishing the earth through Noah is it possible that God was purifying the world from satan’s attempt to save himself from God’s judgement? Was it perhaps satan’s plan to corrupt all of mankind to save himself? 

I mentioned earlier that the story continues through Revelation. We know now that the seed of the woman is Jesus Christ our LORD and Savior. We have seen the cosmic battle between God and satan continue throughout the Bible so that God can bring this Seed forth to save us. Indeed, though the battle is won, it appears to still rage to this day. That satan would deceive. That many may not know the battle even happened. May the truth prevail. 

I think Revelation 12 depicts the cosmic battle on a sort of spiritual realm. Perhaps a realm where time happens all at once. Certainly a realm I have had difficulty understanding. I encourage you to consider reading it with this battle in mind. It has always made for an interesting Christmas eve story in our home.

God, amidst the holiday season I am reminded I am Yours by purchase. Thank You for paying the price to save me even though the cost was so great. I do not deserve to be purchased LORD. Amen.