Sons of God, Beautiful Women and Giants, OH MY!

So I'm reading through the Chronological Bible this year, and already I am having to scratch my head at some of the stories.  "When the human population began to grow rapidly on the earth the sons of God saw the beautiful women of the human race and took any they wanted for their wives . . . in those days, and even afterwards, giants lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God had intercourse with human women, they gave birth to children who became the heroes mentioned in legends of old."  (Genesis 6:1-2, 4)  WHAT!  Who in the world are these sons of God that produced giants with women of the human race?  This definitely sounds like a sci-fi story if you ask me.  And people say the Bible is boring.  I've never heard a preacher preach on this passage, and I'm not sure I want to.  Maybe it's best this one is left a mystery.  Yet, I know that all the stories are not to remain mysterious to us.  The stories of the saints of old reveal something very important for us today.  God is great and following Him is nothing short of adventurous.

After reading Noah and Abraham's story, I also recognize that following the Lord isn't easy.  As a child I distinctly remember the beauty of rainbows and promises in these stories, but as an adult I see the significance and difficulty of obedience.  So much of the story is untold.  What was Noah thinking when the Lord said to him, "I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for the earth is filled with violence because of them.  Yes, I will wipe them all from the face of the earth!" (Gen. 6:13)  Noah had friends and family that he was close to.  There were siblings, parents, fellow companions and neighbors that he cared about.  No doubt, this was heartbreaking news!  If that wasn't difficult enough, next God asks him to build this gigantic boat so that he could take care of the entire animal kingdom!  Imagine what Noah must have been feeling.  The world as he knew it was going to be destroyed.  How painful and lonely it must have been to build that boat knowing what he knew.  Yet Noah's thoughts aren't what we read.  His actions spoke louder than words, "So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him." (Gen. 6:22)

Abraham's story is no different.  The Lord tells him, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land I will show you."  Just think about it.  Abraham was asked to leave his home, the place he was most comfortable, and go.  He wasn't told where he was going.  He simply was told to go.  Imagine packing your bags, not knowing where you're going, yet getting in your car and driving until the Lord says stop.  People must have thought he was crazy.  Abraham probably had a moment or two when he thought he was crazy himself.  Yet once again actions speak louder than words, "So Abraham departed as the Lord had instructed him." (Gen. 12:4)

These stories really stand out to me.  How could these guys do it?  What enabled them to lay it all down and obey?  Belief!  Both Noah and Abraham were said to be righteous: men who believed God.  Because they believed they could do nothing else but obey, even though it was difficult and costly.  They weren't thinking about what they were giving up because they had their eyes set on the prize.  I want to be like them.  The rainbows and promises found in these stories remain very special to me, but I am even more thankful for this heritage of faith that's been passed down through the ages.  My prayer is that Abba finds me faith-full and willing to obey no matter what.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith." (Heb. 12:1-2)