INTRODUCTION: These chapters are the only ancient documents that record the origins of race, language, and geographic divisions. Like Genesis chapters 1-3, their importance cannot be overstated. Only blind unbelief keeps modern historians from recognizing that in Genesis alone we have the earliest of ancient history. Dr. William F. Albright, who was widely recognized as the leading authority on the archaeology of the Near East, wrote concerning these chapters: "It stands absolutely alone in ancient literature, without a remote parallel, even among the Greeks, where we find the closest approach to a distribution of peoples in genealogical framework.... The Table of Nations remains an astonishingly accurate document." Unfortunately we can only skim over the contents of these chapters.
I. THE TABLE OF NATIONS - Genesis 10:1-32.
Through Noah's three sons the earth was re-populated.
Here we have the record of this for posterity:A. The Descendents Of Japheth - verses 1-5.
Japheth was the ancestor of the Greeks and of the various European nations. He was the eldest and of least importance in the Bible record.B. The Descendents of Ham - verses 6-20.
Notice that in the ancient world, it was the sons of Ham who first built great cities and empires [verses 10-11]. Ancient Egypt was also founded by one of Ham's sons (Mizraim). In verses 8-9, we meet briefly a man who was perhaps the most influential mortal man who has ever lived. Nimrod was the father of political "one-worldism" and the founder of organized false religion. He literally organized the world against God and his influence is very much alive today. Cush, his father, seems to have been a man who hated God. Perhaps he resented the rebuke and shame of his father's sin and the curse placed on Canaan. At any rate he named his son Nimrod, which means rebel and he seems to have instilled in him the desire to rebel against God's commands and worship. We will give this more attention in Genesis 11.C. The Descendents Of Shem - verses 21-32.
Shem means "name" and was the one through whom the Jewish people and finally the Messiah came into the world. In verses 21 and 24, we meet Shem's great grandson "Eber." Eber was the father of the Hebrew nation [Genesis 14:13]. One cannot help but wonder if all the people before Babel spoke Hebrew. In that case after God confused the languages, only Eber's descendants would have spoken the original language. Eber named one of his sons Peleg (division). This was probably done because the boy was born near the time of the events at the Tower of Babel [verses 25].II. THE TOWER OF BABEL - Genesis 11:1-9.
This portion of Scripture gives us a commentary on Genesis 10:8-10. Likewise Genesis 10, explains who the leader at Babel really was. Let us now take a closer look at Nimrod and then we will expound verses 1-9.A. Nimrod.
1. The name Nimrod means "rebel." He was the first man to actually organize a rebellion against God. This seems to have been instilled in him by his father Cush, who named him.2. Nimrod was a "mighty one" or chieftain in the earth [Genesis 10:8].
3. He seems to have struggled to power by organizing the extermination of dangerous animals. Animals reproduce faster than men and must have been a real problem after the flood. This situation is understood when we remember that in modern times there are records of single tigers that have killed hundreds of people over a period of years. He became a legend and a proverb in his own day [Genesis 10:9]. His popularity was much like that of famous generals who have been elected to high offices.
4. Nimrod organized a political rebellion against God. Men were commanded to re-populate the earth [Genesis 9:1]. They were to spread out and cover the earth. Nimrod, on the other hand, wished to keep everyone together. He wanted to build a one-world government and to consolidate the efforts of men. God seems to use nationalism to restrain man's sin [Acts 17:26-27]. The division of governments and languages hinders man's evil purposes. Note that it has always been evil men who have promoted a one-world system of government. Is not this evident in our own country? In this Nimrod stands as a type of the Antichrist.
5. Nimrod also organized a religious rebellion against the Lord. The Tower of Babel was a religious temple. This religion permeated the ancient world and is still very much alive today. In studying pagan religions, one is impressed by their many common features. Several excellent books have been written to show how the doctrines of Nimrod have completely infiltrated the Roman Catholic Church as it evolved over the years. This is so evident that the Catholic and Ecumenical system of religion which will be on earth when Antichrist comes is referred to as "Mystery Babylon The Great" [Revelation 17:1- 6].
6. The phrase "before the Lord" in Genesis 10:9 has an evil implication. It seems to indicate that Nimrod brazenly and knowingly defied the Lord.
B. The Tower Of Babel - Genesis 11:1-9.
After studying about Nimrod, we are now in a better position to understand Genesis 11:1-9.Verses 1-2. Nimrod's influence united the people and kept them from spreading abroad. Shem was still alive at this time and must have been amazed at this rebellion so soon after the Flood. There is no doubt he refused to take part in this movement.
Verses 3-4. Shem which means name was to glorify God's name by bringing into the world through his descendents the Messiah. These people, however, rebelled against God by desiring to make a name for themselves. Coming to the Plain of Shinar they built a large and beautiful city. This city was later known as Babylon. In this city they began to build a large tower. This was a religious temple and place of worship. It was intended to be the center of political and religious unity. (These Temples were called "ziggurats" and were often built in later days. Around Babylon there are several of these. Two of these are so ancient that men have speculated that one may be this original tower. Oven-baked brick lasts indefinitely.)
Verses 5-6. God noted the progress and intention of these wicked people. The plural pronoun in verse 7, refers to God's triune nature.
Verses 7-9. In mercy God refused to allow their wicked scheme to succeed. How many times in history has God stopped men who wished to organize the world under central control (Napoleon and Hitler are examples). This was effectually done by causing the different families to speak different languages and thus scattering them abroad. Thus God's original plan to re- populate the earth was carried out. Even today the multitude of languages hinders dictators from achieving world-wide control. The people wanted a great name. In God's judgment the city was called Babel which means confusion. Regrettably the spirit of these people is still with us.
III. THE LINE OF SHEM THROUGH ABRAHAM - Genesis 11:10-32
This portion of Scripture gives us the lineage from Shem through Abraham.A. Verses 10-26. This genealogy is important in showing that God's prophecies are true. Without it we would have no proof that Christ descended from Shem. Notice that the life- spans began to shorten after the Fall.
B. Verses 27-32. Here we receive several facts relative to Abraham:
1. We are informed of the death of Lot's father, which explains why Lot was with Abraham's family.2. We are informed of Abraham's marriage and of Sarah's barren state.
3. In verse 31 we find that Abraham's father left Ur of the Chaldees headed toward Canaan. The significance of this will be discussed in chapter 13.
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