The Bible in 2020

Today’s reading: Genesis 9-11; Matthew 4

Select verses

So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth and they left off building the city. Genesis 11:8

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

Reflections

Following the flood God commands Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply. And multiply they do! You might get dizzy reading all the names of their descendants.

But some things never change. In the midst of these generations of human beings who are listed for us, the cosmic battle between sin and righteousness continues. It divides the sons of Noah with blessing on Shem and a curse on Canaan. Mankind, united by one language and forgetting the lessons learned from God’s judgment through the flood, seeks to unite and build a tower of rebellion against God and for self-glorification. Again, God acts in judgment creating division through language differences. The spiritual hostility is not eliminated but it is hampered as God creates the boundaries of culture to point Man to Himself (Acts 17:26-27).

We should not conclude that God’s promise to defeat the serpent has failed. Rather, His plan of judgment and redemption has not completely unfolded. In Genesis 11, we meet Abram. Soon we will see what a pivotal role he plays in God’s plan. Through Abram will come Jesus Christ and blessing to the whole earth.

In Matthew, we follow the inauguration of Jesus’ ministry. He proclaims the arrival of the Kingdom of God. “Repent,” He commands, “for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). The same God who acted in judgment is calling all to come to Him in faith and repentance beginning with the Jews, but (as we shall see) extending to all nations, tribes, and languages.

Think about it

God deserves praise. Praise Him for His wisdom in planning the redemption of His people. Praise Him for His sovereignty in carrying out this plan over the millennia of history. He will surely bring it to completion at the end of time. Praise Him that we can know of our adoption as His children and of the assurance that He will take us all the way home. His eternal purposes will be fulfilled though we pass through dark and difficult times on our journey through life. Meanwhile, let us repent of our sins and believe in His salvation.

© 2017 John A Carroll Used by permission.

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