A look at what has occurred up to this point in Genesis helps our understanding of these important chapters. After the good creation, Adam and Eve sinned resulting in judgment and a marred image of God that all of their progeny inherit. In the judgment there was a promise though (3.15). Cain soon dashed the hopes that he was that promised seed. Wickedness increased to the point that God judged the world in the flood. Noah, who is a descendant in the chosen line of Seth, finds favor with God. Noah and his sons do not prove to be the seed of promise. The sin of Ham brings about a new curse spoken by Noah, and then we come to Genesis 10 & 11.

In Genesis 10 we read the genealogies of Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, & Japeth. Little is said about Japeth. Ham’s line is developed in more detail and some of the nations that Israel encountered show up in his line. Although Shem is the oldest, his line is last. When taken with the blessings from Noah, this position points to the fact that Shem will continue the godly line that has been developing throughout the narrative. The common language of nations, languages, tribes, and people (see v.5, v.20, v.31, and v.32) is important in these genealogies. Also, there are two pauses to inform us about two characters. One is Nimrod, a great hunter who built cities in Shinar. The other is Peleg, who lived at the time when the earth was divided. The languages of the nations and the narrative about these two men point toward Gen.11.1-9, which should be read with the genealogies in Gen. 10.

The tower of Babel story reveals how the nations with their languages came to be, and it helps us understand what the text means when it says the earth was divided. In the building of Babel, all men have a common language and goal for which they are working. This may seem like a good situation, but the judgment of God proves that it was actually evil. In short, the building of this tower to reach to the heavens was a rebellion against God. The goal to make a name for themselves instead of glorifying God reminds us of similar man centered initiatives today. Their resistance to being spread out over the earth went against God’s command to fill the earth (9.1, 1.28). God went down to see their work (v. 5). This statement does not mean that God is bound by space or that he does not know all things. Rather, this language is an indictment revealing the smallness of their tower. God judges the people by confusing their language, and thus they disperse, as they should have done originally, and form nations by languages.

Even in the day of high-speed communication via the Internet, we deal with the confusion of cross-cultural communication. But these chapters are not only about judgment. There is mercy as well. The account of Babel is sandwiched between two genealogies of Shem. When we reach Eber in the first, he has two sons, Joktan and Peleg. The first genealogy follows Joktan’s line. The second genealogy follows Peleg’s line, and we learn that this is the chosen line. Abram comes from this line, and this sets us up for the rest of the Genesis narrative. In Gen. 12.1-3, God calls Abram from his homeland and promise to bless him. He will become a great nation and all of the nations of earth will be blessed in him. Through Abraham’s line Jesus Christ will come, who is the promised seed of Gen. 3:15. Christ brings salvation and he tells his disciples to take the good news to all of the nations.

When we look at Gen. 10 &11, we are reminded that there are two lines of people in the world. As followers of Christ, we should seek to glorify God rather than making a name for ourselves. Also, we are reminded that the nations are to be reached with the gospel so that all nations can come together as one people again. However, this new unity centers on Christ and glorifies his magnificent name. Let us consider what part God would have us to do in reaching the nations for his glory.

Audio from this week’s lesson: Genesis 6:0-11

~TWM