Subject: The Sons of God in Genesis 6:1-4 |
Bible Note: First, I'm not going to quote the verses. I will provide the references so that you may follow along in your own Bible. I'll be utilizing the NASB translation. Genesis 6:1-4 let's get into the heart of the matter. Namely, who are the "sons of God." They are not angels, nor spirit beings possessing the human bodies. Turn to Hebrews chapter 1. This chapter gives one of the best and most important speaches about angels. Amazingly, I have never heard anyone refer to this passage when talking about the "Sons of God' being angels. Notice in verse 4, angels come into the picture. The writer begins by talking about God sending Jesus, then shifts to angels. in verse 5, The writer asks if God ever claimed the angels as his sons. he is asking these questions in a manner in which the answer is obvious. No! As he continues to compair Jesus to angels, he says, that angels are servants, ministers, have no power or authority over Jesus and mankind, and have no bodies. In verse 14, he says that angels are spirits, sent out to render service to the ones inheriting salvation. This passage removes the possibility of angels taking human form to mate with humans. Now, turn to Matthew 22:23-33. This is one of the tests put to Jesus by the Sadducees. This time, they ask Jesus about a woman who has had seven husbands. When she dies, to which brother will she be wife of in heaven? Jesus then answers there is no marriage nor the giving of marriage in heaven. They will be as the angels are. Basically that angels never marry nor are given in marriage. Therefore, angels did not come to earth and mate with humans. let's take a look at Job 1:6; and 2:1, both refer to the "sons of God" gathering themselves before God. Satan comes among them and the subject turns to Job. Now, because Job immediately becomes the topic of the discussion. This leads me to think that the "sons of God" in these passages aren't angel. I think that it is in reference to the descendants of Seth. What does nearly every Christian in todays world do on Sundays or Saturdays? Worship God. Because the "Sons of God" are mentioned twice as gathering before God, this leads me to think that it was a regular occurrance, and a time of worship. Turn to Genesis 4. What are Cain and Abel doing? They are making offerings to the Lord. The tone and language is such that God is there before them. So. in Job, it is reasonable and likely that the "Sons of God" are those of the line of Seth. Concidering that Job was believed to have been written during the time before Noah just strengthens my thoughts. Jude 6-7 is often quoted for supporting the notion that Angels came to earth and married humans. The only part of Jude that is referring to angels is Jude 6. Jude 7 is talking about those who he referenced in the earlier parts of the chapter, and starts a whole new context. The context isn't angels, but those who have defied the Lord and revolted against him. The only reference to angels is where they left their natural domain. Upon leaving, God chained them in darkness to be kept there until the day of Judgement. Therefore, they aren't a factor. There isn't support for angels marrying humans. Therefore, with no scriptural backing, I reject the idea that angels are the "Sons of God" in Genesis 6. So, who are they. The decendants of Seth. Also, the "sons of God" carries a meaning of a person who is obedient to the will of God. Before I continue with this thought, it is pertanent to remind you that the Bible ultimately points to Jesus. In fact, all of creation points to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the focus point of the universe. With that said, it is little wonder that Jesus is called the "Son of God". Demons, Satan, Peter, and many others called him that. Jesus even made the claim. It is my belief that the Genesis 6:1-4 passage of the "Sons of God" is a prophecy. it is prophecying that the Messiah, called "The Son of God", will come from the lineage of Seth. In Luke 3:23-38, it shows that Jesus came from the line of Seth. Also, It is prophecying the coming church. Turn to Romans 8. Beginning in Romans 8:12, notice what Paul says about the "Sons of God". He says, in verse 14, that those who are lead by the Holy Spirit are the Sons of God. Then in verses 15-16 that we are the children of God, adopted through the Holy Spirit. Look at 1 John 3:1-12. Here John begins with the same declaration that Paul stated in Romans. "We are the Children of God." In fact, all through out the New Testament, we are called this. It is my belief that Genesis 6:1-4 points to us as well as the Christ. In a sense, we, through adoption, carry on the lineage of Seth and Jesus Christ. I do appologize for the length. Jesusman |