Big Picture

Genesis 2-9 spans a significant period in biblical history. Obviously, Genesis 2 is a part of the creation narrative. However, after the Fall of Man in Genesis 3, things soured quickly in the human story. The fourth page of the Bible is a sad tale where the first human family was victimized by the first murder when Cain killed his brother, Abel. The deterioration of humanity is summarized in Genesis 6:5, “The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” In fact, it was so bad that God “regretted” that He had made humans in the first place (Genesis 6:6).

God’s dismay and disappointment resulted in His judgment. He declared that the time span was 120 years until He would judge mankind (Genesis 6:3). His action would be swift and destructive. All creatures would be affected by this sweeping declaration. However, there was one man who had pleased God – Noah (Genesis 6:8).  God’s judgment was tinged with grace when He decided to spare Noah and his family. He also chose to use Noah to rescue a remnant of the creatures as well.

God’s instrument of destruction was a massive flood that destroyed the human race, except for Noah and his family. Further, the other created beings on earth were destroyed except for those who had been collected by Noah on the ark. Genesis 9 completes this story and Genesis 10 marks the beginning of a new era in history – a      “re-creation” of sorts.

So – this material opens with creation and Adam’s family’s story and ends with the completion of judgment and a sort of “re-creation” as Noah’s family now would re-populate the earth. It is a remarkable account of significant events in the human story. God created people to bear His image and co-rule His creation with Him. However, sin entered the picture and everything changed! God’s judgment was sweeping and effective. His grace led to the rescue of Noah and the re-establishment of the human family in creation.