We’re starting a new series titled “Kingdom Rebellion,” in this session, we’ll summarize Genesis chapters 3 to 11. This is in preparation for a more in-depth examination of these chapters. The “Kingdom Rebellion” segment in God’s narrative encompasses three key events: the fall of man, the great flood, and the construction of the Tower of Babel.
The Fall
In the story of the Fall, a divine being, contrary to God’s plan for a human family, tempts Eve, hoping her disobedience will lead to the destruction of both her and Adam. This entity, appearing as a serpent, manages to lead Eve into sin but fails to eliminate humanity.
Genesis 3:1-7 (NIV)
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” 4 “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked, so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
The events in Eden mark just the beginning. Adam and Eve’s rebellion brings severe consequences. God expels them from Eden, curses the serpent, and banishes him from His presence. However, the situation deteriorates even further.
The Flood
Genesis 6:1-4 (NIV)
1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days–and also afterward–when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old men of renown.
The narrative then introduces the “elohim,” divine beings who are attracted to human women and father children known as Nephilim. This act causes lasting harm to humanity. The flood is God’s response to this situation.
Genesis 6:7 (NIV)
7 So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth–men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air–for I am grieved that I have made them.”
God’s reaction is not anger but deep sorrow over these developments. He decides to start anew, using the flood as a cosmic reset, reminiscent of the pre-creation state of the earth covered in water. Noah and his family are chosen to rebuild humanity post-flood, echoing the original directive given to Adam and Eve.
Genesis 9:1 (NIV)
1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.
This marks a fresh beginning, with God still desiring a human family. However, another act of defiance soon emerges.
The Tower of Babel
Post-flood, God instructs Noah’s descendants to multiply and populate the earth, serving as stewards of creation. Contrary to this, they congregate at Babel, constructing a city and tower for their glorification.
Genesis 11:1-4 (ESV)
1 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.”
Following previous acts of disobedience, including the expulsion from Eden and the flood, humanity again deviates from God’s will. In response, God assigns the governance of different nations to various divine beings, the “elohim.”
Deuteronomy 32:8-9 (ESV)
8 When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. 9 But the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.
The Bible later reveals that these elohim fail in their duties, leading to their judgment. God plans to strip them of their immortality and reclaim the nations.
Psalm 82:1-8 (ESV)
1 God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods, he holds judgment: 2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” 5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Highest, all of you; 7 nevertheless, like men, you shall die and fall like any prince.” 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!
This overview sets the stage for our upcoming deeper exploration of these pivotal chapters in Genesis, highlighting the recurring theme of rebellion and God’s responses to it.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
