Except for the account in chapters 1 and 2, the first eleven chapters of Genesis record one failure of man after another, failures that are being repeated today.

1. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and were cast out of the Garden (chap. 3).
   
2. Cain murdered his brother Abel and lied about it (chap. 4).
   
3. Humanity became so corrupt that God cleansed the earth with a flood (chaps. 6-8). Noah got drunk and exposed himself to his son Ham (chap. 9).
   
4. In their defiance of God, men built a city and a tower; and God had to send confusion to end the rebellion (chap. 10).
   

• True faith is based on the Word of God and leads to obedience. God could not bless and use Abraham and Sarah unless they were in the place of His appointment.
  

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NLT)

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them.

I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”

• Salvation comes because by God’s grace He calls and sinners respond by faith. Abraham did not know the true God, and had done nothing to deserve knowing Him, but God graciously called him. “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you” (John 15:16).

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NLT) 13As for us…a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 14He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News…