Q&A Part I

Question #1
Are the “sons of God” in Genesis 6 referring to the descendants of Seth marrying the descendants of Cain, or actual angels having sexual relations with humans and producing giants?

Answer #1

The question involves two major views concerning the identity of the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:1-2. “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”

The first view supposes the “sons of God” to be descendants of Seth who married the ungodly daughters of Cain. Those who hold on to this view argue that Seth was recognised by God to take the place of Abel in the godly line (Genesis 4:25-26). Thus the descendants of Seth are called the sons of God just as how Israel is often regarded as the son of God in the Scriptures (see Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 32:5; Psalm 73:15 Hosea 1:10; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 31:20 etc.) The passage should thus be taken as a warning against marrying unbelievers and is a reflection of the evil and corruption found in the world that resulted in God sending the global flood.

However, the phrase “sons of God” appears a total of five times in the Old Testament. Besides Genesis 6:2 and Genesis 6:4, the other three occurrences are found in the book of Job (1:6; 2:1; 38:7) and all three occurrences refer to angelic beings (both good and bad).

The second view regards “the sons of God in Genesis 6:2 and 6:4 as fallen angels who cohabitated with human daughters to produce extremely powerful and wicked men. However, this view seems to contradict the teaching of Christ in Matthew 22:30 which states that angels do not marry. Nevertheless, this is easily resolved when we consider how these fallen angels can take bodily possession of men to cohabit with women.

Moreover, the second view appears to square with the testimonies of Jude 6 and 2 Peter 2:4. “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” (Jude 1:6) “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;” (2 Peter 2:4)

Genesis 6:1-4 thus speaks of how fallen angels tried to wipe out the promised Messianic line (Gen. 3:1-5) by possessing male descendants of Seth. These male Sethites proceeded to impregnate the daughters of Cain which resulted in numerous wicked and powerful human monstrosities. Thus, God determined that the evil generation had to be destroyed by a global deluge. Nevertheless, in his mercy God spared Noah and his family (see Genesis 6). It is through Noah that the Messiah would eventually come to this world.

 

Question #2

How do children with abusive parents honour their parents?

Answer #2

First, observe that the fifth commandment demands that we should honour our parents (Exodus 20:12). It does not say that we are to only honour honourable parents. Thus, it is the Christian’s duty to honour our parents, even if they may not seem to be honourable at times.

Second, we must understand that abuse can come in various forms. A parent can be physically or verbally abusive. He may shower his child with all manner of material provisions such as food, clothing and shelter. He may even provide the child with a top-class education. However, he may fail to provide any affection for the child and treat the child as just an inconvenience or a shame to the family. Though the child does not suffer from any physical harm, however, his spirit is broken by abusive words and cold neglect. The concern is for the many children who may have been abused but fall through the cracks, just because they have not been physically abused.

Having understood the above, how then may I honour my parents if they are abusive?

First, we must understand that while we may have abusive parents, we have a perfect father who is the Father of the fatherless (Psalm 68:5). We have no lack in our Wonderful Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), and He will work out all things for good for His children (Romans 8:28). Whenever we need wisdom and strength to handle abuse, we can always seek God in His Word and in prayer. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a ser[1]pent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:7-11)

Second, we must be prepared and willing to forgive (Matthew 18:21-22).

Consider the example of Christ – “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:21-24) It is therefore the Christian’s calling to suffer for Christ’s sake even if the reviling may come from our parents. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

Third, we must not return evil for evil, for doing so would mean that we would be overcome by evil. Instead do good even to those who abuse us. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Do not seek your own vengeance, but surrender all things to God. Pray for your abusive parent instead and ask God to intervene. Consider the words of Joseph to his abusive brothers – “Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:19-20). It may be through your good conversation in Christ that your abusive parent is led to repentance and salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We must also note that in some cases, the child may be in much danger if placed in closed contact with an abusive parent. In such cases, there should be no guilt attached to the child to be separated from the parent so that he or she can be protected. The child can still honour the parent by praying for the parent. The command to honour one’s parents does not preclude a child from reporting any abuse to the civil authorities. Civil authorities are God’s ordinance to provide justice and protection for the child (Romans 13:4).

Finally, here is a word for Christian parents. It is your duty to bring up your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and not to abuse them. Paul warns the fathers in Ephesians 6:4, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Do not employ harsh and unloving discipline to your children, neither engage in emotional manipulation or verbal abuse. Do not exasperate your child to turn away from the faith by subjecting them to a volatile and unloving environment. Speak the truth in love to them and show them the love of Christ (Ephesians 4:15-19).

It is our prayer that the Lord will give us homes built upon the Saviour among the congregation of God.

Yours affectionately,
Pastor Clement Chew