From the moment Adam and Eve fell, mankind looked for the promised seed who would restore the fall and reverse the curse (Gen 3:15). Eve thought Cain the seed (here for details). She was wrong. But her err only meant one would come. Christmas celebrates Jesus coming in the flesh two times. The first time has already happened and the second time will come. We know the second will come because God is faithful to His word, always. Proof? The Son came the first time proving prophecies true.

But from the fall onward, man has awaited the Promised One, who was promised before the heavens and earth even created. Eve blundered thinking Cain was the seed. Lamech however was sure he fathered the seed. “[Lamech] became the father of a son. Now he called his name Noah, saying, “This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the LORD has cursed” (Genesis 5:28-29. Lamech, living under the curse references the curse from Genesis 3:17-19,

Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.

Lamech knew exactly why this earth was so difficult to live in and he longed for its restoration. He lived in a sinful world, restoration would remove sin, conquer death, and bring paradise. He believed Noah was the seed to reverse the curse. If it weren’t for one particular account regarding Noah’s life, we would have ample opportunity to believe Noah is the seed.

The story of Noah’s ark is no G-film. Too many children’s books make it a story merely about saving animals as if Noah was PETA’s first member. Well Noah didn’t worship the animals, he obeyed God and put them on the ark to preserve them during the destruction and judgment coming to mankind. This story would be rated R for violent content. Noah’s family went on the Ark too. Why? Because after mankind was wiped off the earth, Noah and his family would repopulate the earth. Think about this story. God judged and punished (probably) millions clearing them from off the earth. Total destruction. Total annihilation. Only a few people remained.

Why? Because God hated man’s sin and wanted to remove it from the earth (Gen. 6:5-8). This accords with the reasons for the curse and death. Sin tainted humanity and the seed can restore it. Considering God’s purpose, Lamech’s declaration, and Noah’s actions we might think the curse reversed. But one account prevents us from going there: Noah’s drunkenness.

If you’re like me, the first few times I read about Noah’s drunkenness I was baffled. Why did they have to taint the hero? Why mar him? Why did Moses need to record this account? Simple. Noah’s drunkenness proves sin still exists on earth. Although a massive amount of sinful people were judged and vacated the earth, sin still exists, and we still need the promised seed.

Noah’s drunkenness proves two things. First, sin still exists on earth. Second, Noah is not blameless. We need a blameless seed. He will wipe sin off the earth, conquer death, and restore Paradise. Lamech’s hopes would have been squelched. Yet, as a believer in the promise, he would know God would be faithful to His promise. The hope exists yet not realized. As the earth repopulated and grew, mankind continued to look for the seed.

Mankind was not the only one who knew about the seed. Satan knew about the seed too and desired to thwart God’s plan. Moses tells us,

Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose (Genesis 6:1-2).

Now, there is much debate regarding this passage and who the “sons of God” are. But I believe they were demons attempting to thwart the DNA of man and therefore thwart the promised seed. Most will say, “Wait, demons can’t mingle with humans.” But this is a presupposition requiring the same proof as my presupposition. Which presupposition makes sense in the context? It makes sense that Satan would want to thwart the seed. The promise was directly addressed to him. He knew about it and he does not want to be conquered. He believed changing the DNA of humanity would change history. He is not on board with total restoration. Satan would love nothing more than to derail the promise and conquer the seed.

Yet we know Satan did not thwart God’s  plan or His faithfulness. His plan came to pass. Jesus came in the flesh and died for us. But like Lamech we await the second coming where Jesus will bring final restoration to believers and judge, for good, unbelievers and sin.

** You can listen to the sermon here.