Giants
“There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.” Genesis 6.4
A well-known Bible expositor once published a book entitled, “A Bump in the Road.” He had been facing cancer – that word which brings cold chills into our spines. His premise suggested that for those who are in Christ – saved by the blood – physical problems often become distractions. My idea of a bump in the road is more akin to a pebble in your shoe or some other irritation rather than something major. If those situations are considered bumps in the road, I believe that the last four years of my life I have been riding on the edge of the highway with the roar of the rumble strips becoming louder with each passing mile.
Some situations are more like “facing the giants” than experiencing a “bump in the road.”
Most sports enthusiasts have never experienced an up-close and personal meeting with professional athletes. We sit on our recliner watching as giants roam the football fields and claim spots on the hardwood courts of basketball all the while thinking, “I could do what they do. Just give me the ball.” These giants rarely pass much beyond seven feet tall or more than 350 pounds. One of my wife’s cousins played college football. He was six feet and seven inches tall and weighed in at around 350 pounds. His brother was close behind. At one family Christmas gathering, we had a photo taken with the two boys and my youngest daughter (standing almost five feet tall). The distinction was extreme.
During the days of Noah, there were giants (nephilim) in the land –and also afterwards. The word “nephilim” is used only twice in the Bible. Here, in Genesis 6.4, where, before the Flood, they were vicious warriors – bullies – men who imposed their will upon the populous. The term is used twice in Numbers 13.33 linking these postdiluvians to the family of Anak. The Anakins were those who inhabited the Promised Land and made the Israelites look like grasshoppers in their sight. While the Nephilim were ferocious and the Rephadim were large, both were obstacles of gigantic proportion that the Israelites were required to face, and defeat, prior to entering into the Promised Land.
By all human standards, the Israelites had no chance – but, it was God’s will and His plan for it to happen. A well-known giant of Bashan, Og, whose bed was thirteen and one half long and six feet wide. Another famous giant was Goliath who was about nine and one half feet tall. To put this in perspective, the next time you are in a basketball gymnasium stand under the basket. Goliath would have had to duck slightly in order to walk under the backboard, and had Og not been careful, he may have bumped his nose on the rim.
The way for the Israelites was obstructed by warrior bullies who stood nearly twice their height – aggressive bullies who were quite willing to fight to retain possession of their land.
Each of us understands when there is a bump in the road – yea, even a rumble strip that is annoying. Sometimes we face the giants. Giants come in all shapes and sizes. My giants are not necessarily the same as your giants; however, no matter the giant, we can rest assured that our God is in control and that He will never leave us or forsake us.
Some situations are more like “facing the giants” than experiencing a “bump in the road.”
Most sports enthusiasts have never experienced an up-close and personal meeting with professional athletes. We sit on our recliner watching as giants roam the football fields and claim spots on the hardwood courts of basketball all the while thinking, “I could do what they do. Just give me the ball.” These giants rarely pass much beyond seven feet tall or more than 350 pounds. One of my wife’s cousins played college football. He was six feet and seven inches tall and weighed in at around 350 pounds. His brother was close behind. At one family Christmas gathering, we had a photo taken with the two boys and my youngest daughter (standing almost five feet tall). The distinction was extreme.
During the days of Noah, there were giants (nephilim) in the land –and also afterwards. The word “nephilim” is used only twice in the Bible. Here, in Genesis 6.4, where, before the Flood, they were vicious warriors – bullies – men who imposed their will upon the populous. The term is used twice in Numbers 13.33 linking these postdiluvians to the family of Anak. The Anakins were those who inhabited the Promised Land and made the Israelites look like grasshoppers in their sight. While the Nephilim were ferocious and the Rephadim were large, both were obstacles of gigantic proportion that the Israelites were required to face, and defeat, prior to entering into the Promised Land.
By all human standards, the Israelites had no chance – but, it was God’s will and His plan for it to happen. A well-known giant of Bashan, Og, whose bed was thirteen and one half long and six feet wide. Another famous giant was Goliath who was about nine and one half feet tall. To put this in perspective, the next time you are in a basketball gymnasium stand under the basket. Goliath would have had to duck slightly in order to walk under the backboard, and had Og not been careful, he may have bumped his nose on the rim.
The way for the Israelites was obstructed by warrior bullies who stood nearly twice their height – aggressive bullies who were quite willing to fight to retain possession of their land.
Each of us understands when there is a bump in the road – yea, even a rumble strip that is annoying. Sometimes we face the giants. Giants come in all shapes and sizes. My giants are not necessarily the same as your giants; however, no matter the giant, we can rest assured that our God is in control and that He will never leave us or forsake us.
Copyright © 2025 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/