The Sorrow of Adonai

The Sorrow of Adonai. Gen. 6.9-7:24

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:9-10

Apostolic: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Gen. 6:5-9. Genesis 5 speaks of the “Toldot Adam” – the generations of Adam. Beginning in Genesis 6:9, we are told about the “Toldot Noach”. We have heard about what happened to Adam, to his progeny. Now the Torah seeks to tell us about someone new.

• Gen. 5:28-29 – Lamech has a Son.
• They name him , נֹחַ which means “” or “”.
  • Why do they name him “Noach”?
  • They were still expecting the promised offspring of Chavah.
  • They are looking for the one who is going to give them rest from the toil proclaimed at the curse of the ground.
  • They know it will be a “Son”.
  • Vs. 29: “This one shall give us Rest” Hebrew: יְנַחֲמֵנוּ – (Y’Nachamenu)
  • The hope was that Noach would be a Messiah.

Gen 6:6 tells us about the “” of God. Why?

• Hebrew: וַיִּנָּחֶם (Vayi-Nachem). This word has a functional connection to the end of Chapter Five. Noach is born during Adonai’s Nachem. (Sorrow)

Gen 6:5; 10-13. Thus the narrative: Vs. 5: The pervasive evil of humanity. The intentions of the human heart was “ ”

• Gen. 6:6: God’s response: He regretted making mankind. Why? “It him to his heart.”
  • .
    • It is the evil within the heart of man that grieves God’s own heart.
  • Isaiah 53:3. (See KJV.)
• Gen. 6:7. God announces judgement.
• Gen. 6:8. The Contrast. “But Noach found favor (Grace) in the eyes of the LORD.”

The narrative presents God’s response to corruption as deeply . It is not merely the enforcement of an impersonal law. It is the rejection of Him.

Gen. 6:9 Noach is described with three important traits:

• ONE: Noach is called “” צַדִּיק (Tzadiq). Webster: “Just; accordant to the divine law. It denotes one who is Holy in heart, and observant of the Divine Commands in practice.”

Gen. 6:22: The presence of Divine Law must have existed to contrast the righteousness of Noach, with the men of his generation.

• TWO: Noach is called “” תָּמִים (Tamim). Webster: “Without Fault; Innocent; Guiltless; not meriting censure.” Tamim means “Complete” or “Whole”
• This does NOT say that Noach was .
• Tamim expresses and wholehearted . This word is used of Abraham – Gen. 17:1 and the . Ex.12:5.
• THREE: Torah teaches us that Noach “ with ”. הִתְהַלֶּךְ (Chit-Halek)
• Noach lived uprightly in a wicked generation.
• He chose honesty instead of deceit. Contentment rather than greed.
• His life reflected a consistent decision and pursuit to do what was morally right.

Noah’s life stands as a contrast to the human caused evil that brings God deep sorrow – and because of that, we can find rest. Noah’s response is the glimmer of hope. His testimony is the ray of light in a world of darkness.

He chose to Love and loyalty to God, proving a different kind of relationship with The Creator.

That relationship resulted in Grace – through the judgement.

Will you lean into God, or will you harden your heart against Him? Will you be preserved in the judgment to come? Or will you grieve the Spirit of Elohim.