THE SIN OF INTERMARRIAGE
GENESIS 6:1–4
The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose
(Genesis 6:2).
Genesis 6:1–4 is a rather enigmatic passage and a number of bizarre interpretations have been offered for it. The question concerns the intermarriage of the “sons of God” with the “daughters of men,” and its possible relation to the Nephilim, the “heroes of old.”
Some have suggested that because “sons of God” refers to angels in Job 1 and 2, this passage is speaking about fallen angels who intermarried with or raped human women and gave birth to giants. There are two basic problems with this. First, Jesus said that angels do not marry or give in marriage, certainly implying that they do not cohabit with human beings (Matthew 22:30). Second, this interpretation has nothing to do with the context of this event, which we shall discuss below.
Another interpretation modifies the first by saying that the “sons of God” were demon-possessed men. A third view takes notice that “sons of God” is sometimes used of human rulers, and says that in this passage we have powerful tyrants seizing helpless women and taking them into harems. Both of these interpretations also fail to take the context into account.
Genesis 4 and 5 are the context of Genesis 6. In Genesis 4 we have the genealogy of the ungodly line of Cain with murderous Lamech, while in Genesis 5 we have the genealogy of the godly line of Seth. Now we are about to see that the whole earth has become corrupt and God is going to wash it clean with a universal flood. The question we have to ask, then, is this: Whatever happened to the godly line of Seth?
The answer is in Genesis 6:1–4. These verses describe the fall of the Sethites into the grave sin of intermarriage. These “sons of God,” who had inherited all the privileges and ethical strengths of their righteous heritage, gave away that strength to the wicked by intermarrying with their daughters. As Eve saw that the fruit was fair and seized it unlawfully, so the Sethites took forbidden fruit on the basis of external beauty. Their children had the self-discipline of their righteous fathers, but the sinful orientation of their godless mothers, and they plunged the world into moral chaos and destruction.
CORAM DEO
Numbers 21–23
Mark 8:1–21
How serious is the sin of intermarriage? What stories in the Old Testament can you remember that show how dangerous it is? What were the consequences in each of these cases?
For further study: Judges 16 • 1 Kings 11 • Ezra 9–10 • Nehemiah 13:23–28
TABLETALK
from ligonier ministries and teaching and encouraging believers • march 1991
THE TRINITY
Daily Studies From The Teaching Fellowship Of R. C. Sproul
publisher Ligonier Ministries editor Robert F. Ingram assistant editor Michael S. Beates art director David K. Freeland
marketing Gretchen L. Suskovic production Felicia T. Calhoun, W. David Fox, Melissa A. Prichard, R. C. Sproul, Jr.
writer Sharon J. Anderson circulation Gwen Weber board of directors Bruce Fogerty, Robert Fraley, G. Richard Hostetter, Robert C. Legler, Stephen H. Levée, Jr., C. G. Mills, Archie B. Parrish, James M. Seneff, Jr., R. C. Sproul, John Thompson, Ralph D. Veerman, Luder Whitlock, Charles Colson (Director Emeritus)
Published by Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, Inc. under license granted by ligonier Ministries, Inc. Copyright 1991, Ligonier Ministries, Inc. This Bible study is based upon teaching material by Dr. R. C. Sproul. Unless noted, all Scripture quotations in this publication are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan publisher.
member evangelical press association
Cover: Michael Mojher
robert ingram • editor
Coram Deo
With respect to their understanding of the Christian faith, some people plead mystery too quickly. They dismiss the hard work of theology, biblical analysis and historical research that could yet lead to many answers. For some it is an easy out to dismiss a disputed doctrine by consigning it to the category of mystery. Others imply that you just have to “stop thinking at this point.” In actuality, reason and revelation can progress considerably further than most will admit.
But mysteries abound in Christianity, particularly with the doctrine of the Trinity. Merely because a doctrine crosses the line from rational comprehension to mystery, however, does not mean that thinking must stop. Dogmatic conclusions and self-confident assertions might cease, but thinking must yet press on. Often the via negativa is most helpful. For example, we are sometimes more able to say who God is not, than to say who He is. (He is immutable, immortal, incomprehensible.) Also, at those places where we proceed with less biblical authority, speculative thought must be clearly labeled and jettisoned whenever possible in favor of doctrinal certainty.
The failure of propositional truth’s ability to fully disclose the character and work of God invites the prospect that analogies will accomplish this. Especially with the Trinity, examples of the triple state of water (ice, steam, liquid) and the analogy of relationships (husband, man, father) are noble attempts that ultimately fail. They simply cannot carry the theological weight we typically assign to them.
In this issue of Tabletalk we have undertaken a close examination of the Trinity before finally pleading mystery. While attempting to avoid error, it has been our desire to say more about the Godhead than some consider possible. Earnestly desiring to refine your knowledge of God is an honorable expression of living life Coram Deo. if by that phrase we intend to live all our life before the face of God, under His authority and for His glory, then it must include our doctrine of the Trinity. May He be pleased by what follows. ■
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