Genesis 10-11 (Part 7) Babel and Babylon: Babylon: The System of Rebellion Toward God

Babylon: The system of rebellion toward God

• Genesis is the inception

• Israel is scattered and taken captive under Babylon (Daniel)

• Just before Christ returns (Revelation 17-18), the focus is on Babylon.

The family of Nimrod, Genesis 10:6-12

• Noah, 10:1

o Ham (9:25)—Canaanites

 Cush—Ethiopia

6 sons—one was Nimrod

Nimrod’s success

• Unity of language, 11:1

• Unity of geography, 11:2

• Unity of ideas, 11:3-4

o Physical plan, vv. 3-4a

o Mental motivation, v. 4

What is initially wrong with the unity idea?

• It is direct contradiction of God’s will, Genesis 9:1, 7

• It neglects the most basic principle of human relationship

One worldism

• God stops it immediately—radical response (scattered), Genesis 11:5-8. Why?

o One world is not the answer to the ills that brought about the flood

o The goals of Babylon (Genesis 11) express the heart of secular humanism

o It is the will of God in this present world that national distinctions be preserved

 God established, Genesis 10

 Man tried to get away from it, Genesis 11

• Was not until Genesis 10 that God established nationalism

• International rulership is the prerogative of the seed of David—Jesus Christ (anyone else who tries is a usurper)

Daniel

The strategy of Nebuchanezzar (Babylon)—Daniel 1:3

• Qualifications

o Family, 1:3b

o Age, v. 4a

o Physical appearance, v. 4

o Mental capacity, v. 4

o Social grace, v. 4b

• Method

o Changed viewpoint, v 4b

o Language

o Diet

o Names

 Daniel--God is just

Belteshazzar—to protect life

 Hananiah--God is gracious

Shadrach—same as the Babylonian God Murdoch

 Mishael—who is God

Meshach—Venus

 Azariah—God my helper

Abednego—servant of Nego

• Expanded techniques to get them on board

o Aesthetics

o Prestige