Finding Favor In Unfavorable Times Series

Series: Finding Favor With God [#1]

FINDING FAVOR IN UNFAVORABLE TIMES

Genesis 6:1-22

Introduction:

Even when life gets tough and things seem against us, God's favor is still available to those who seek Him. In our series "Finding Favor With God," we are reminded that God's grace is not only for good times but is especially present when we face difficulties. As we look at the Bible, we see many examples of God showing favor to His people, even in hard situations.

In Genesis 5, we see a list of people from Adam to Noah. It might seem like just names and ages, but it teaches us something important. Even though sin entered the world in Genesis 3, God's favor is still shown in how life continued and how God kept a faithful remnant. This shows us that God's favor is about His ongoing grace to help us and protect us, even when things are difficult.

Genesis 5:21-24

Genesis 5 helps us see that being patient, faithful, and trusting God's plan can help us find His favor, even in hard times. In Genesis 6, the World was full of wickedness and chaos, but God's plan for Noah shows us that His favor is still present. Noah found favor with God because he was obedient and lived righteously, even when everyone else was doing wrong. His story teaches us that to find God's favor, we need to stay firm, trust God's guidance, and be faithful, even when everything around us is unstable. Today, we will learn how to find God's favor in our own difficult seasons by trusting Him, following His Word, and staying faithful.

Genesis 6:1-4

When the times…

1. Seem overwhelming, trust in God's sovereignty.

When life feels overwhelming and chaos seems all around us, it’s important to remember that God is in control. These verses show a time before the flood when the World was full of evil and violence, but even then, God's plan was still working. No matter how bad things get or how uncertain the situation feels, we can trust that God's purposes are not stopped by human sin or chaos. Trusting in God's sovereignty helps us let go of our worries, knowing that He is working everything out for good for those who love Him. This helps us focus less on how overwhelming life seems and more on the fact that God is still in control, which gives us hope and strength to stay faithful.

The Nephilim mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4 have generated a variety of theological interpretations and theories over the centuries. Here are some of the prominent perspectives:

* Fallen Angels Theory.

Many traditional interpretations, especially in Jewish and Christian ancient writings, suggest that the Nephilim were the offspring of fallen angels (or "sons of God") who mated with human women. This view is supported by Genesis 6:2-4, which refers to the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men," implying a supernatural origin. This theory posits that these angelic beings rebelled against God and corrupted the human race, leading to the birth of the Nephilim as giants or mighty beings.

* Elite Lineage or Royalty Theory.

Some scholars propose that the "sons of God" were actually descendants of Seth, considered righteous, who intermarried with the "daughters of men," identified as descendants of Cain, associated with wickedness. The Nephilim, in this view, were powerful kings or rulers, (human giants) whose power and influence contributed to the corruption of society. This interpretation emphasizes human lineage and political power rather than supernatural beings.

* Mythical or Legendary Beings.

Another perspective sees the Nephilim as legendary or mythic figures, representing ancient stories of giants or heroes that were part of oral traditions. These stories may have been exaggerated or symbolic, reflecting cultural memories of real or mythic giants that symbolized chaos and disorder.

* Hybrid Beings as a Theological Symbol.

Some theologians interpret the Nephilim as symbolic of the corrupting influence of sin and rebellion against God. The giants represent the extreme consequences of humanity’s departure from divine standards- An illustration of the chaos and violence that led to the flood.

* Natural or Literary Interpretations.

A less supernatural view suggests that the term "Nephilim" refers to a particular class of mighty warriors or people of great stature, possibly legendary heroes or tribes known for their size and strength, with no need to invoke supernatural origins.

Practically, trusting in God's control means praying intentionally and giving our fears to Him. It also means trying to live in a way that shows we believe His plan is best- By seeking to do what is right and showing kindness, even when it’s hard. Just as Noah found favor with God during a time of great wickedness, we can trust that God's favor is available to us when we rely on His sovereignty. When we remember that God is in control, we can face difficult times with confidence, knowing that His plans for salvation and justice will come true. This trust helps us stay hopeful and also prepares us to be a light to others in a World that needs God's love and redemption.