We are not even a dozen chapters into the story of Scripture, and yet, God’s judgment of sin has reverberated on nearly every page. God judged Adam, Eve, the serpent, and creation in Eden (Genesis 3) and then Cain for murdering his brother (Genesis 4). Then we saw God’s judgment echoing in the refrain “then he died” throughout the genealogy from Adam to Noah (Genesis 5). Now, we see God’s judgment about to be poured out to wipe mankind off the face of the earth.

But if we look again, we see God’s judgment is not absent of love and grace. God was gracious to Adam and Eve not to take their lives immediately and to cover their shame with clothing made from an animal. God graciously placed a mark of protection on Cain. In the genealogy, we read of one man, Enoch, who did not die, showing us that there is a way to escape sin’s curse. And even here, as God prepares to flood the world, we will see that He will graciously bring one man and his family safely through the waters of judgment.

• Why should we acknowledge God’s judgment as well as His love and grace?