Justin Houtz

Hi. I’m Justin. I write code and things but enough about that…

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  • Daily Bible Study

    Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

    DateVersionReading Plan
    January 3, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

    Genesis 6-8

    Observation & Interpretation

    Gen. 6:3 – The LORD said that His “Spirit shall not abide in man forever” and that man’s days would be 120 years.

    • The meaning of this verse is one of the most disputed in the Bible: Is it about God shortening humanity’s life spans, or about God setting a time for the universal flood? There is no general agreement as to its meaning, so the various Bible translations reflect translators’ differing viewpoints. (CSB Notes)

    Gen. 6:13 – God spoke of how the earth is filled with violence through “all flesh” (man).

    • The cause of earth’s fallenness is tied directly to the sin of man.
    • As indicated first in Gn 6:5–7, God would put an end to every creature … because of human sin. But judgment would not be limited to people; God would also destroy … the earth. Sadly, one of the victims of human sin is the earth on which we live (Lv 26:18–20; Is 24:4–7; Jr 12:11; Hs 4:1–3). (CSB Notes)

    Gen. 7:2-3 – God instructed Noah to take with them seven pairs of clean animals and birds on to the ark, but only one pair of unclean animals.

    • The concept of clean animals is explained elsewhere in the Torah (Lv 11:1–46); essentially, these were animals that were fit for human consumption and could be offered as sacrifices to God. (CSB Notes)

    Gen. 7:20 – The waters of the flood were so extensive that they covered the mountains fifteen cubits (18 inches) deep.

    Gen. 8:12 – The dove that Noah had sent out did not return, making it the first animal to take up a terrain dwelling after the flood.

    Application

    Genesis 6:8 (ESV) But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

    Genesis 7:1 (ESV) Then the LORD said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.

    Genesis 8:1 (ESV) But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.

    The theme of God’s grace and favor displayed toward man through Noah despite man’s sin is strong in these chapters. Time and again, we read of how God acted with compassion and faithfulness to His covenant with Noah in allowing man to continue in existence. The steadfast love of our holy and righteous God is a wonder beyond all measure and such that we should respond with the utmost of gratitude.

    Luke 3

    Observation & Interpretation

    Luke 3:1-2 – By specifying the reign of certain governors and tetrarchs, Luke provides a particularly precise time frame of when the word of God came to John the Baptist to begin his ministry.

    Luke 3:8 – John the Baptist anticipated the objection of the crowds regarding repentance, that they would claim that Abraham was their father.

    Luke 3:15-16 – Another instance in which John the Baptist knew the hearts of the people, responding to the “questioning in their hearts…whether he might be the Christ.”

    Luke 3:22 – Luke records how God spoke directly to Jesus at His baptism while in Matthew, it is recorded that God spoke more generally: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17)

    Application

    Luke 3:2b (ESV) the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

    The word of God came to John the Baptist, granting him the great honor of paving the way for Jesus and heralding the good news that the long awaited Messiah had come. In similar fashion, God has given us His Word that we may know, love and abide in Him but also for missional purpose to make Him known. May we answer our calling in faithful obedience, proclaiming the good news of our Lord’s coming and the need for all to “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8).

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