Genesis 6:1-2 - Lust
Scripture:
Genesis 6:1-2
1 Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the
land, and daughters were born to them,
2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful;
and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.
NASU
Thoughts:
There has been much speculation and mythology popularized around these
verses. Who are the "sons of God?" Many theorize that these are
fallen angels. However, that is not at all clear from reading the text
and would generate more questions than answers. For instance, how does
a spiritual, non-physical being, marry a human? What nature
results when an eternal being and a mortal one produce an offspring?
These make for blockbuster movies, but don't pan out in real life.
I think a better view is to understand these sons as men of the godly
line of Seth (those in the lineage of Christ). Who are these daughters
of men, then? They are just that, women born from anyone on the face
of the Earth. What I believe is happening here then, is that the godly
line, those that followed God, were intermarrying with those who did
not: for example, the descendants of Cain. Rather than being careful
to marry among those who worshiped God, they married whomever they
wanted; whomever they found physically attractive. In short, these
godly men gave in to lust. Indeed, God found that all were corrupt,
except Noah:
Genesis 6:5-8
5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth,
and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
continually. 6 The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth,
and He was grieved in His heart. 7 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." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
NASU
Prayer:
Lord, lust is as much of a problem today as it was all the way back to
the time of Noah. Help us who are Christians today not to follow in
the footsteps of these ancient men of God. Help us not to let our
hearts desire such things.
For those of us who are married, give us eyes only for our spouses.
For those of us who look forward to marriage, may we commit to keeping
our eyes for our
future spouses, waiting for you to bring them, not window shopping
while we wait.
Amen