Expert: Scott Talbot - 8/8/2007

Question
I have some questions, actually lots, but I'll try not to bombard you with too many at once.

First, I'd like to hear your take on Gen.6. In vs. 2, sons of God - does this refer to man, or angels? Are we one in the same? The rest of the chapter repeatedly says man and refers to flesh. Also, these sons of God, were they sons by adoption, as the bible then refers to Jesus as the only begotten? I'm also confused about 1Cor. 11:10 "because of the angels"

Second, vs.6 says that God was sorry for creating man, and grieved in his spirit. Does this mean that god made a mistake?

Next, vs.7, says God would destroy man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air. Why would he destroy the animals because of man's corruptness? Why did he say he would kill all flesh with the breath of life (vs.17) and then spared some of the animals? If god is omnipotent, why does he say things and then change his mind?

Thanks for taking the time to share your input. I look forward to your reply. God bless.

Answer
Hi Greg,

It's nice to hear from you. Let's see if I can help you with your questions.

Genesis 6 - "Sons of God" - When the Bible uses the word, "son," it doesn't always mean "son" in the way we use it. The connotationn in the ancient near eastern culture was that of relationship. To be a son of God means to be identified with God or to share some kind of relationship. The sons of God in Genesis 6 is a reference to a godly line of men--men who desired to follow God and His principles.

The passage in I Corinthians 11:10 is meant to imply, "because the angels are watching." It means that they are witnesses to what happens on earth, and God intends certain things to happen for their learning and edification as well.

When it says that God was sorry for creating man, it doesn't mean that He changed His mind or made a mistake. Because we live in a temporal world and understand things only from our own perspective, God needs to communicate to us in ways that we understand. God knew from eternity past all that will ever happen, and it is all eternally present to Him. And it is all a part of His perfect, divine plan. But we cannot begin to comprehend things the way God can. So He conveys them in ways that make sense to us.

Why would God destroy animals? There may be several reasons. 1) To demonstrate His extreme wrath; 2) To show that death the consequence of sin; 3) To withhold His grace from undeserving mankind. (James 1 says that every good and perfect gift is from above. Even the animals are a gift from God to mankind. Part of God's judgment was to take away this gift.)

I hope this helps. You may want to get a good commentary or study book on the Bible, or on those specific books you are studying. Genesis is a very interesting book. There are many good commentaries on Genesis. One is The Old Testament Bible Knowledge Commentary (see http://www.amazon.com/Bible-Knowledge-Commentary-Old-Testament/dp/089693800X)

Scott