The Boat (Genesis 6-7)

Series: The Book of GenesisPreacher: Ps. James TangDate: 24th May, 2026Passage: Genesis 6-7Sermon Summary:While Genesis 3 describes the line of Cain, Genesis 4 devotes itself to the line of Seth. Seth’s line includes Enoch who walked with God and was not, because he was taken by God. (v.23) Enoch fathered Methuselah, who is widely believed to be the oldest person in the Bible, and Methuselah fathered Lamech, who fathered Noah. Unfortunately, Noah’s time is when it all starts to go wrong: those from the line of Seth (the sons of God) see that those from the line of Cain (the daughters of man) are attractive, and they intermix and mingle. Because of their compromise, the wickedness of man became great in the earth, and “every intention of the thoughts of [man’s] heart was only evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5) Their sinfulness is so great that it caused God to regret that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him to His heart. (v.6) Thus the Lord commands Noah to make for himself an ark as He intends to bring about a reset of all humanity. (v.13-14) The Hebrews 11 hall of fame applauds Noah for his faith (v.7), and Scripture tells us that Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation, who walked with God. (Gen. 6:9) Though Noah’s trust in and submission to God are things we must emulate, let us remember that before all these, Scripture already says that Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (v.8) He did not earn God’s favor through good moral conduct, and God did not see fit to choose Noah because of what he had done. Instead, God’s favor was lavished on him, the same way that God’s grace and mercy are lavished on us through Christ today—and Noah responded in holy fear by building the ark, just as God had commanded. As for us, church: will we remain in our sin or where we are when God calls, or will we be faithful to obey, no matter how far-fetched things seem?