Read | Genesis 6:1–22
When mankind began to multiply on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful, and they took any they chose as wives for themselves. And the LORD said, “My Spirit will not remain with mankind forever, because they are corrupt. Their days will be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth both in those days and afterward, when the sons of God came to the daughters of mankind, who bore children to them. They were the powerful men of old, the famous men.
When the LORD saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time, the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved. Then the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I created, off the face of the earth, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky—for I regret that I made them.” Noah, however, found favor with the LORD.
These are the family records of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God. And Noah fathered three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with wickedness. God saw how corrupt the earth was, for every creature had corrupted its way on the earth. Then God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to every creature, for the earth is filled with wickedness because of them; therefore I am going to destroy them along with the earth.
“Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it with pitch inside and outside. This is how you are to make it: The ark will be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. You are to make a roof, finishing the sides of the ark to within eighteen inches of the roof. You are to put a door in the side of the ark. Make it with lower, middle, and upper decks.
“Understand that I am bringing a flood—floodwaters on the earth to destroy every creature under heaven with the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark with your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives. You are also to bring into the ark two of all the living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of everything—from the birds according to their kinds, from the livestock according to their kinds, and from the animals that crawl on the ground according to their kinds—will come to you so that you can keep them alive. Take with you every kind of food that is eaten; gather it as food for you and for them.” And Noah did this. He did everything that God had commanded him.
Click here to listen to the Scripture in ESV.
Each week, we’re reminded that experiencing God happens best through Scripture alongside others—join us for worship today at one of our five campuses and grow together in faith. Today’s sermon is titled "Flood."
Focus
.jpg?width=482&height=709&name=Sintflut%2c_Margret_Hofheinz-D%C3%B6ring%2c_Aquarell%2c_1962_(WV-Nr.1201).jpg)
View this work of art titled Sintflut (The Flood), by Margret Hofheinz-Döring, connected to Sunday’s sermon passage.
Visio Divina, or ‘divine seeing,’ is a way of praying and reflecting through art. As you look at this week’s piece, take a few quiet moments to notice details, colors, or emotions that stand out to you. Ask God what he might be saying through the image, and listen for his insight in your thoughts, feelings, or prayers.
Commentary:
Margret Hofheinz-Döring was a prolific German painter and graphic artist who produced over 9,000 works of art in her lifetime. Sintflut, or Deluge, is one of her few biblical works of art.
She borrows from the visual language of some of the most famous representations of the flood, including Gustav Doré’s “Flood Destroying The World” engraving. Hofheinz-Döring conveys the confusion and helplessness of masses of human and animal bodies through overlapping and chaotic linework. Some human figures are partially blocked in with color, while others remain transparent. Amid the chaos, the viewer can see adults with children and figures struggling against the raging water. At the top of the composition, straight lines convey what may be some kind of structure, possibly the ark.
One key difference between Hofheinz-Döring’s rendition of the flood and many of the others that come before her are the focus on light and color within the image. While the subject is decidedly horrific, somehow light shines through it all. The work pulsates with soft primary colors which can be interpreted in myriad ways. It’s worth noting that red, blue, and yellow are the primary colors in art from which all other colors are derived, including the colors of the rainbow, which stands at the end of this story as a sign of the covenantal promise. This promise from God will ultimately make a way through the impossibility of death and chaos toward a new life, free from the bondage of human sin and destruction.
Art Source: Sintflut (The Flood), Margret Hofheinz-Döring, 1962, Galerie Brigitte Mauch Göppingen. CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Pray
Lord Jesus,
Today is your day—the gift of rest, the open door to worship, the living reminder of your resurrection, and a glimpse of the eternal Sabbath to come. On this day, may all your people—struggling and triumphant—join in endless praise.
Fill my mind with peace that surpasses understanding. Let my thoughts be sweet, my worship alive, my heart free and joyful. May I drink deeply from the streams that flow from your throne, feed on your precious Word, and stand strong behind the shield of faith. Draw my heart ever closer to you, Jesus, today and always.
— Adapted from The Valley of Vision, edited by Arthur Bennett
Going Deeper
If you are also following the BibleProject’s One Story That Leads to Jesus reading plan, complete today’s reading.
Conversation Starters
The Bible is best studied with others. Talk about today’s sermon with someone else (friends, family, neighbors, at lunch, or in your community group). Use the questions below to get you started!
The story of the flood shows that God takes evil seriously. How does that shape your understanding of what God is doing in the world today?
Noah is described as tome—blameless—and obedient. What do you think it looks like to live that way in our world?
The flood story ends with a renewed call to bear God’s image and steward creation. Where do you see opportunities to join God in that work?