Man’s Fascination with Superheroes

I. THE UNHOLY UNION

A. The Parties Involved (Genesis 6:1-2)

1. The sons of God
a. Identifiable by name
1.) Every time the phrase “sons of God” is found in the Old Testament, it refers to angels (Genesis 6:2, 4; Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7).
2.) Adam is identified as “the son of God” in Luke 3:38, but then he had a son after his own likeness or image (Genesis 5:3). The first mention in your New Testament says “as many as receive him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12).
b. Identifiable by judgment
1.) They were the “spirits” in prison to whom Christ preached when He went to hell (1 Peter 3:19-20). This would fit the description of angels (Psalm 104:4). However, there would have been no spirits of men in hell (Ecclesiastes 3:21; Ecclesiastes 12:7).
2.) Their time of disobedience occurred “in the days of Noah” (1 Peter 3:20).
2. The daughters of men

B. The Offspring Birthed (Genesis 6:4)

1. Their stature – “giants”
a. Giant in personal stature (i.e., Goliath’s height was six cubits and a span, or ~9ft 9inches – see 1 Samuel 17:4)
b. Giant in dwellings (i.e., their cities were “walled up to heaven” – see Deuteronomy 1:28)
c. Giant in furnishings (i.e. Og’s bedstead of iron was nine cubits long and four cubits wide, or ~14ft x 6ft – see Deuteronomy 3:11)
2. Their power – “mighty men”
3. Their popularity – “men of renown”

II. THE UNHOLY WAR

A. The Pre-Flood War (Genesis 6:1-13)

1. The powers these giants exhibited made them renowned among the perishing world (Genesis 6:4).
2. Their presence, however, were the foundational call to action on the part of God to destroy the earth (Genesis 6:3).
3. Their presence apparently heightened the wickedness of the imaginations of men (Genesis 6:5).
4. Somehow their presence introduced concerns not only for humanity, but also for the animal kingdom (Genesis 6:7).
5. Their presence also introduced an increase in violence (Genesis 6:11-13).

B. The Post-Flood War

1. Known by multiple names (Deuteronomy 2:10-23)
a. Emims
b. Anakims
c. Horims
d. Zamzummims
e. Avims
f. Caphtorims
2. Known at various times
a. When Israel journeyed from Egypt to Canaan (Numbers 13:33; Deuteronomy 2:11, 20; Deuteronomy 3:11, 13) continuing into the settling of the land (Joshua 11:21-22).
b. During the reigns of the kings of Israel
1.) Saul’s reign – David killed Goliath, of Gath (1 Samuel 17:4). Note: He likely gathered five stones in preparations for Goliath’s brothers.
2.) David’s reign – Goliath’s brothers were also giants (2 Samuel 21:16-22)
i. Ishbibenob (2 Samuel 21:16)
ii. Saph (2 Samuel 21:18)
iii. Unnamed (2 Samuel 21:19)
iv. Unnamed (2 Samuel 21:20)
3. Always the same enemy
a. In general – God’s people
b. In specific – the seed or lineage of the Son of God

III. THE UNHOLY AFFECTION

A. Intrigue

1. The initial reaction to the giants born in Genesis chapter six was likely that of intrigue.
2. After all, these creatures were larger in stature, likely had supernatural strengths or abilities, and were quite likely seen as leaders.

B. Idolatry

1. What started as intrigue swiftly moved to popularity, causing these men to be considered men of renown.
2. Noah’s preaching obviously fell on deaf ears. Perhaps our common thought is because it had never before rained, but consider that the people were likely occupied with the uniqueness of the giants.

C. Impurity

1. Though the ultimate purpose of the giants was to destroy Christ’s seed, they did so, in part, by destroying the minds of those being exposed to the truth.
2. These people grew comfortable with inappropriate imaginations and violence. Those who did not die at the hands of the giants would die in the flood. It was a win-win for the giants.