Genesis²

It is good to note, as we head into the coming week, that the Bible is not a general history of the world, nor is it merely the history of the Jews. Rather, it is the story of the world from God’s perspective.

As you read, approach the text as you would someone retelling a story. A storyteller does not tell everything; they tell what they observed, what they found relevant, and what serves the point they are making. What is left out is not forgotten — it is simply not central to the conversation at that moment.

In chapter 5, for example, you will notice that Cain and Abel are no longer mentioned as sons of Adam, nor are the wives of these men. The reason is simple: to the storyteller, they are not relevant to what is being unfolded at that point. The names that are mentioned are key names. Please read them intentionally.

The final person on that list is Noah and his sons, whose relevance becomes central to the next movement of the story. Noah is the man God uses to preserve life in the midst of widespread corruption — corruption that Scripture traces to the “sons of God.” If you ever have the time, reading the book of Enoch gives a vivid description of this period and the depth of that corruption. It was so great that the Lord regretted creating mankind. Yet, in the midst of it all, there was a man who was different. His name was Noah.

We then read about the ark, the flood, a fresh beginning — and sadly, the fall of humanity once again. This time, it happens under the leadership of Nimrod in Mesopotamia, where the kingdom of Babel is established.

Please please, do not skip the lists of names. They matter to the storyteller, and therefore they matter to us.

Humanity reached a level of unity and oneness that gave birth to evil. The iniquity at the heart of Babel was pride — the desire to make a name for themselves. With shared purpose and pooled resources, they set out to build a tower that would reach the heavens. Once again, God intervened to restrain evil. The first time, He drove humanity out of the garden. The second time, He submerged the earth. This time, He scattered them.

And once again, there was a man who stood apart.

His name was Abram.

Please note this carefully: at this point in the story, there are no Jews and no Israelites. The story must unfold further before the children of Jacob are born.

Hoping your Sunday is going on well. Enjoy the reading.