BBBI - 2017.12.13 - PM - Confusion (Gen. 10-11)

Introduction:

Recap prophecy to Noah’s Sons: Setting; to Canaan; to Japheth; to Shem; Lessons - it’s more important that we finish well.

I. Division of the Earth (Gen. 10:25).

Genesis 10:25 KJV 1900

And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.

A. The Days of Peleg

Name means “division”

B. Interpretation of Gen. 10:25

Continental Drift Theory - Land masses drift apart forming Continents

Genesis 1:9 KJV 1900

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

The Division of the People - Simply speaks of what happens in the next chapter-

Genesis 10:32 KJV 1900

These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

Genesis 11:8–9 KJV 1900

So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

II. The Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9).

A. Man’s Rebellion (Gen. 11:1-4).

1. The Flood destroyed sinful men, not the sin-nature of mankind.

2. All people spoke the same language and the same dialect. (Hebrew?)

Genesis 11:1 KJV 1900

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

3. People are migrating from Ararat to the plain of Shinar.

Genesis 11:2 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

4. They described the project excitedly to one another as if it were the ultimate achievement [compare modern man’s advancements]

Genesis 11:3–4 KJV 1900

And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

5. Nimrod, a powerful leader, was the force behind this.

Genesis 11:9–10 KJV 1900

Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:

6. They determine to build a city, and most notably, a Tower that would be famous for its design, size and worship.

Genesis 11:4 KJV 1900

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

7. Their sin is two-fold:

a. Direct disobedience to God’s command to fill the earth.

Genesis 9:1 KJV 1900

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

b. Attempting to steal the glory that belongs to God alone (making themselves a name).

B. God’s Response (Gen. 11:5-9).

Genesis 11:5–9 KJV 1900

And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

1. God views the city and the Tower (and the evil they represent) and determines to put an end to it.

2. He confuses their language, causing communication (and the construction) to stop.

3. A half-built city is left as a monument to man’s achievements.

Psalm 127:1 KJV 1900

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

4. The blessing of Pentecost is a direct contrast to the confusion of Babel.

See Acts 2

5. In the Millennium, unity and holiness will come together for the glory of God.

Zephaniah 3:9 KJV 1900

For then will I turn to the people a pure language, That they may all call upon the name of the Lord, To serve him with one consent.

Conclusion:

God’s way is the best way; the devil may have his Nimrod’s, but God will bring His purposes to pass by direct involvement in humanity and individual lives.