Discover The Word

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

“So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.’ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:7-9).

IDEA: Violence and corruption are twins that bring God’s judgment.

PURPOSE: To show listeners why God hates violence and corruption in a society.

Does it ever bother you that we have a great display of violence in our society? Television and movies have replaced sex as the great stimulant. Video games are marked by violence and blood. The major stories in newspapers often feature violence.

I. The author of Genesis elaborates on the wickedness of the people in Noah’s world. He says twice that the wickedness showed itself in corruption and violence (Genesis 6:11-13).

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”

Violence is a general term that ranges from international contexts to social injustice. It can be physical or psychological and covers a wide range of things (New International Dictionary of the OT , Theology and Exegesis, pp 177-180).

Corruption – the same word used for destroyed for 6:12, 13, 17. It is a destructive force that permeates every inch of society. It is destructive like a fire or a flood. It is as if the whole thing is decayed.

How are corruption and violence related?