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This article was written by Hayley Mizell, producer of Bible Book Club.
If you thought Genesis 5 was a lot to take in, buckle up to because Genesis 6 covers a lot. Nephilim and Noah in just one chapter; I love the contrast between those two. Like Susan said, in church, the topic of Nephilim is rarely covered while the story of Noah is taught to everyone on a very regular basis. We focus on the solution of Noah vs the reason behind the need for a solution, the Nephalim. I think that rings true, even today. We focus, with immaculate clarity, on the solution or the hope while the reason behind the need for the hope becomes murky and mysterious to us. Just a little thing to ponder…
HAYLEY’S BIBLE BENDER:
Now, my Bible bender of the week actually comes from a quote instead of scripture. I’m switching things up–no need to get too predictable. The C.S. Lewis quote about the ambivalence of death got me:
On the other hand, only he who loses his life will save it. We are baptized into the death of Christ, and it is the remedy for the Fall. Death is, in fact, what some modern people call ‘ambivalent’. It is Satan’s great weapon and also God’s great weapon: it is holy and unholy, our supreme disgrace and our only hope; the thing Christ came to conquer and the means by which he conquered.
Death is used by Satan for evil and God uses his conquering of death to bring salvation and hope to humanity against Satan and evil. Talk about a profound quote. I think that perspective on death is going to stick with me for a while.
What about you? How did you react to that quote? Which explanation makes the most sense to you for who the Nephalim were? What are your first thoughts on Noah?
VERSES MENTIONED:
- Genesis 6
- Job 1
- Job 2
- Psalm 29
- Psalm 89
- Genesis 3
- Numbers 13:33
- Genesis 4
- Genesis 5
- 2 Peter 3:5
- Exodus 33:17
- Deuteronomy 33:23
- 1 Kings 3:10
- 1 Samuel 2:26
- Hebrews 11:5
- Luke 1:30
SHOW NOTES:
Sons of God, daughters of man, and Nephilim? 3 Popular Explanations
- The Ancient Ruler interpretation
- The Angelic interpretation
- The Sethite interpretation
Notable CS Lewis quote on the purpose of death:
On the other hand, only he who loses his life will save it. We are baptized into the death of Christ, and it is the remedy for the Fall. Death is, in fact, what some modern people call ‘ambivalent’. It is Satan’s great weapon and also God’s great weapon: it is holy and unholy, our supreme disgrace and our only hope; the thing Christ came to conquer and the means by which he conquered.
