The book of 1 Samuel shows us the early years of Israel when they demanded a king. They rejected God as king, and wanted a man they could follow like all the other nations. Through the man of Saul, God shows us what happens when we try to follow God in our own efforts and strength.

Join us as Pastor AJ Gonzalez, Pastor of Discipleship at Evergreen, brings us a word from Scripture.

The Babel account is not the end of early Genesis. If it were, the story would conclude on a sad note of human failure. But, as always, God’s grace again supersedes human sin, insuring the continuation of the redemption promise. Now, the author traces out the line of Shem until he comes to that point where the chosen line develops into one distinct people—Israel.

Genesis 10-11 give us the historical summary of the postdiluvian world. They show us the ways of men in this new world—in revolt against God and seeking to glorify and deify themselves; and they set before us the principles and judgments upon which this world is founded. They also connect the days of Noah to the story of Abraham.

After a merciful deliverance from the flood, after such a demonstration of holy wrath against sin, after a new beginning marked by blessing and provision, certainly mankind will now forever walk the path of righteousness before God. But, wait!

It seems obvious that the natural world today is different in significant ways from the ancient stories told of creation in cultural legends from across the earth. There seems to have been dramatic changes. How can this fact be explained? And how does the biblical story of the flood fit into the narrative of man’s redemption?

Genesis 7 is set in time seven days before the onset of the global deluge. The construction of the ark is complete. The supplies are stored. The living cargo alone remains to be housed. The high drama of judgment and salvation is about to be unveiled.

As the depravity of rebellion accelerated in human history, God intervened. This chapter is misunderstood when described as the story of the flood. It is the story of a righteous man named Noah, a parenthesis in the genealogy of Seth. In every generation and despite sin, God succeeds with men and women of holiness.