Village Schools of the Bible

Genesis: A Devotional Study
by Max Frazier, Jr

These chapters of Genesis complete those scenes of the very early days of man's travels here upon the earth. We will conclude with an introduction to Abraham, whose story comes next.

Genesis 10

Key Words: "sons of"

Key Verse: Verse 32 is a good summary statement of the chapter.

Purpose Statement: This chapter describes how Noah and his family fulfilled God's command to be fruitful and multiply and to populate the earth following the flood.

Outline: The Table of Nations

I. Introduction (vs. 1)
II. Descendants of Japheth (vs. 2-5)
III. Descendants of Ham (vs. 6-20)
IV. Descendants of Shem (vs. 21-31)
V. Conclusion (vs. 32)

Questions to Probe: Do any of the nations mentioned in this chapter have any modern descendants?

Thoughts to Ponder: In the midst of this list of names of the descendants of Noah is that of his great-grandson Nimrod. We know that Nimrod was a mighty warrior, a man skilled with military might. We might say he was the very first "Alexander the Great" or "Napoleon" of the world. We also know that he was a great builder of cities, some of which went on to play major roles in world history. But the phrase that intrigues us is the statement that he was a mighty hunter before the Lord. Did Nimrod have time for God? Did he serve God? It seems the phrase "before the Lord" is somewhat ambiguous, but most scholars feel he worshiped his military might before the Lord. Certainly, Babylon, the city he founded, became the center for worship of false gods. It is always dangerous to place anything, including our own abilities and desires, before God.

Genesis 11

Key Words: "language", "Babel", "Abram"

Key Verse: No single verse really shares the key ideas of this chapter.

Purpose Statement: This chapter concludes the thoughts in chapter 10 by describing how the various languages were formed. But it also shows the selection by God of one family to become a special people.

Outline: From Babel to Abraham

I. The tower at Babel and the confusing of languages (vs. 1-9)
II. The line of Shem to Abraham (vs. 10-26)
III. The early life of Abraham (vs. 27-32)

Questions to Probe: Was Shem born after Noah began building the ark? (verse 10)

Thoughts to Ponder: One wonders if we are not progressing toward another Babel. The whole world is eager to learn English. Why? I am not sure. It does have positive benefits for the proclamation of the Gospel. But could it also have a very negative effect? Could English be the language that will draw the world together again under the leadership of the Antichrist to challenge God even as the common tongue of those at Babel caused them to challenge God? I am not certain of the answer to that question, but I do know that all languages must be used wisely and with care.

The whole story of the building of the tower at Babel is one of disobedience. How long after the flood this story occurred we are not told, but considerable time must have elapsed as there were sufficient people to build a city. God had commanded Noah to fill the earth (Genesis 9:1), yet here the people deliberately chose not to be scattered over the earth (Genesis 11:4). So with confused communications, God accomplished His will in spite of the people. God's will is always accomplished.

One wonders why Terah and his family left Ur. Perhaps it was the memories there of the loss of his son Haran. But, whatever it was, the move was a family affair. They followed the Euphrates River north to a place where these shepherds might become successful. Terah called that place Haran after his deceased son. It would be from Haran that Abram would receive God's call (Genesis 12:1-5).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: The Son of God became a man to enable men to become the sons of God. (C. S. Lewis)

Genesis 8-9 Return to Table of Contents Division 2