Genesis 6 & Matthew 2 (The Epiphany)
These short summaries and questions are based on the Morning Prayer Scripture readings from the 2019 BCP Daily Office Lectionary.
Genesis 6
Summary
The first command in Scripture is "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it" (Gen. 1:28). Now, in Genesis 6:1, humans are multiplying, but there's a problem: the sons of God are marrying the daughters of men. Who are the sons of God and daughters of men? Many take the sons of God to be angels, who commingling with humans produce the giant Nephilim. Other places in Scripture, like Job 1:6, refer to "sons of God" as heavenly beings. 2 Peter 2:4-5 seems to have Genesis 6 in view, referring to fallen angels.
Others have proposed that the sons of God are the godly line of Seth. Adam is made in the image of God, and he fathered a son in his image, Seth (Gen. 5:3). This godly line runs parallel to the line of Cain, whose descendants are recounted in Genesis 4:17-24. The line of Cain culminates in Lamech, a man of ruthless violence. On this understanding, the problem in Genesis 6 for which the Lord brings judgment on the world is that the godly line has intermarried with un-godly line and produced a race and culture of wickedness and violence (Gen. 6:11-12). Both views are worth consideration and find support in the text, but the angelic view seems have the most weight in the whole of Scripture and is the oldest interpretation of the passage.
Whatever interpretation one takes, it's into this situation of spiraling violence and depravity that the Lord calls Noah to make an ark which will be the means of salvation through the coming judgment. The Lord makes a covenant with Noah and his descendants (Gen. 6:18) that they will be rescued.
Reflection Questions
- What might it mean that the Lord regretted making man and that it grieved his heart? What does this tell us about God?
- What do we learn about Noah in this chapter? Why did God chose him?
Matthew 2:1-12
Summary
Today is the feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany means "manifestation," and it's a celebration that the Christ has been manifest to the world. Traditionally, the visit of the wise men are associated with the Epiphany. The star the wise men see has caused much speculation--what sort of star was it? Israel was to be a light to the nations, drawing in the nations by their light of righteousness to worship Yaweh. The prophet Isaiah foresaw a time this would happen: “Arise shine, for you light has come…and nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:1, 3). Here, these great men journey from afar attracted by a great light. A possible Old Testament background is the Pillar of Fire that led Israel in the wilderness, who then entered the Promised Land from the East. That bright glory cloud would also fill up the Temple when Solomon dedicated it. Thus, something similar is happening with the wise men: they are drawn in by a great light, which leads to Jesus, over whom that great light rests.
Reflection Questions
- Describe Herod's role in the passage. How is Jesus being contrasted with Herod?
- What can we learn from the Magi's devotion to Jesus?