Genesis 10-11
Our world seems extremely divided these days. From differences in COVID restrictions, struggles with race, and different political views. It seems like everyone has a list of who they like and who they don’t. As we read Genesis 10 and 11 it’s easy to skim over the names in chapter 10 and view it like the Pythagorean Theorem, something we learned once that doesn’t really apply to our everyday lives. However, I encourage you to take a deeper look. This chapter isn’t just a genealogy, but it’s also a history book, a map of the nations. It points to a bigger truth, that God isn’t just the God of one group of people, He is the God of ALL people. He is God of the Hebrews, the Assyrians, the Egyptians, the Canaanites and all the nations who descended first from the sons of Noah. And although God’s chosen nation is Israel, God still uses these other nations, and pagan rulers to accomplish His purposes.
From the fall, the book of Genesis seems to be an ongoing story of humankind rebelling against God, and God extending mercy to His creation. When the people settled in Babylon it was a blatant rebellion against God’s command for the people to scatter. Instead of scattering, they decided to make a name for themselves by staying together and building the most amazing structure the world has ever seen. Again, believing the lie from the serpent, that maybe then humans could be like God. When God judges Babylon, He not only deals with the sin, but in His mercy He gently leads them toward something better. God knew that if the people stayed together they would have a false sense of power leading them to further rebel against God. As Warren Weiserbe explains in his commentary, “By confusing their language and scattering them all over the earth, God graciously spared their lives and gave them an opportunity to return to Him. He could have chosen to destroy the builders, their tower, and their city; but He chose to let them live.”
We are not exempt from this type of rebellion. Although we may not be trying to physically build a tower, we are regularly building our own Kingdoms, where we rule and our way goes. And God’s response to us is the same, His kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4) and again we are restored to the Father.
As you process today's reading, spend some time praying that God would search your heart and reveal any sinful ways and lead you in the way everlasting (Psalm 139: 23-24).
