The History of the Two Seeds: Genesis 11

Chapter 11 of Genesis provides us with the wrap up of the first section of the book. The creation of humanity, the fall, and the resulting ramifications are offered. The promise of the Seed of the woman in 3:15, and the resulting conflict between the seed of the serpent and the Seed of the woman is presented in many ways (Cain and Abel, Noah and his generation, Noah’s children, and the descendents of each of Noah’s sons.

Chapter 11 takes place in chapter 10 (around 10:25). It records the development of the entire human population into the land of Shinar. It also presents the development of the seed of the woman in Abram.

I. The Seed of the Serpent- 11:1-9

We notice first the focus on the seed of the serpent. Here is the account of the tower of Babel. More than simply a fascinating architectural study or Sunday school story, this section offers glimpses into the heart of human wickedness, and many opportunities for us to search our own hearts for the deceiving nature of sin.

Notice first the unity in humanity. The whole earth had one language. This will have impact on what happens next, but before we get to far in this passage I want to return to 9:1 and 7 and reiterate a command that God gave Noah (and us, as our representative),

“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”

“Be fruitful and multiply, increase greatly on the earth and multiply in it.”

These were the commands that Noah and all humanity afterwards would receive. Now, back to chapter 11. Here is collective humanity, and they migrated to a land called Shinar (see 10:10 for the connection). No doubt Nimrod is somehow involved in this, and we will see the rebellious nature of this unity momentarily.

A. The Seed of the Serpent Displays Great Pride- 11:2-4

These people come together and decide that they are going to a city and tower “with its top in the heavens.” There are two possibilities here. First, there is a possibility that they seek to avoid a flood like the one recorded in chapter 7-8. However, this seems unlikely since there is a mention of a “plain.”

The second possibility, and one that seems legitimate in light of this context and the greater framework of Scripture, is that these people were arrogantly rebelling against the direct commands of God. First, notice the language. They want to “make a name for ourselves.” There is a connection to 6:4, “These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.” Renown could also be translated name.

Is this not the prideful arrogance of the serpent? Isaiah 14:12-15 gives us a glimpse, I believe, into the fall of Satan and his reason for rebelling against God. Compare this passage with Genesis chapter 3, and you see complete and utter arrogance against God. Now, as we have discussed the differences between the two seeds (of the woman and of the serpent), pride and arrogance is a mark of the serpent. This is also the point that Jesus made with the Pharisees in John 8:39-47.

Next, notice that their reason, “lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” This is the very command God gave, twice, and the second time rather emphatically, to the people of earth. He wanted them to disperse and fill the earth, and they wanted to remain together in one place.

The seed of the serpent displays great pride.

B. The Seed of the Serpent Displays Great Unity- 11:2-4

Now, this appears first in the section, but I treat it secondarily because I think it stems for their prideful arrogance against God. Humanity, unhindered by purpose or language, united. This is an important aspect that is not always displayed in the seed of the serpent, as the progression of not only biblical but also general history will attest. Think of the various nations in the biblical records and the many wars that are waged. You can see glimpses of this in various biblical accounts such as chapter 14 of our book and many other nations that fight against Israel. Ultimately, the book of Revelation and the uniting of earth against God provides the starkest contrast with the unity of the world.

The seed of the serpent will work together against God’s plans. As I mentioned, examples of this can be drawn from history and the Bible. One example is the life of Christ. Since we are in the Advent season, his birth offers us an example of how the seed of the serpent, though represented in many forms and fashions, can work together against God, as well as His life and ministry. In Matthew chapter 2, you have Herod actively trying to kill the baby Jesus. Then, the religious leaders who should have welcomed Messiah, actively opposed His teaching and even worked with the Roman oppressors to kill Jesus.

The serpent’s seed will unite around their ultimate purpose against God. My pastor Rit discussed this in a sermon he preached on 12 July. In the sermon, he was discussing how different groups that would normally oppose one another uniting together. For example, it is not unknown that in Middle Eastern countries, homosexuality is outlawed. Yet, you see a uniting together of Homosexual organizations with Islamic groups. Again, we could discuss many more examples, but the serpent’s seed is united against God and His will.

C. The Seed of the Serpent is Adaptable but Always Sinful- 11:2-4

We will not do this for time constraints, but go back and look at the various manifestations of the seed of the serpent (think of Cain and Abel as one example). Though they sin in different ways (murder, promiscuity, rampant violence, or uniting rebellion), they adapt. Sin does not change, it just is manifested differently.

To demonstrate how adaptable the seed of the serpent is, look at Matthew 15:1-9. The seed of the serpent adapts, but is always sinful.

There are several questions that we must ask ourselves to see if we are living like the seed of the serpent. Paul tells us to examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5), and we will devote a few moments to do this now.

First, how is our own pride? Do we demonstrate prideful arrogance in the face of God? One of the terrible aspects of pride is how insidious it is. You can be proud in your heart while being humble in your actions. Are we, like these people, seeking to build a tower and city for ourselves?

When we do work for God, whether in the church, the community, or in our families, do we do so to build our own fame?

What about working with others? Are we uniting with people against God? Have we forgotten Paul’s exhortation in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18? We can have no unity with the seed of the serpent, and to unite with said seed is to sin against the Lord.

Or, how about the adaptability of our sin? Sin is a horribly deceitful thing, and it is terrifyingly adaptable. A look at the Scriptures reveals a host of manifestations of sins. At times, sin lies hidden only in our hearts (think of Ananias and Sipphira in Acts 5:1-11). It was only through the Spirit that Peter came to know of their sin.

At other times sin is very apparent. The children of Israel’s orgy, while Moses was on the mountain top with God, was undeniable (see Exodus 32). We must conduct an in depth look at our souls because sin is so adaptable. We must flee to Psalm 139:23-24 and plead for the Spirit’s help.

D. The Seed of the Serpent is Always Frustrated- 11:5-9

There is a lot here that we simply do not have the to examine. But compare the words of the Babylonian builders with the words of God. “Come, let us...” Also notice the language, “Let us build for ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens,” and of God it is written “The LORD came down to see the city and the tower.” The contrast between the earth-bound seeds of the serpent to the transcendent Lord of the heavens is not to be missed.

There is also the dismissal of both their pride and unity. In one fell swoop, God stops their plans by simply giving them different languages. Now, we must remember the Lord’s commands in 9:1 and 7. They were to multiply and fill the earth. In their pride and arrogance they chose to disobey the Lord.

The Lord, however, accomplishes His will. Moses records, “And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.”

God always displays His victories over all. The seed of the serpent, though prideful, united, and adaptable, will always be frustrated by the triune God.

II. The Seed of the Woman- 11:10-32

We will not spend a great deal of time on this passage simply because it is mostly a genealogical record connecting Shem to Abram and the ongoing development of God’s redemption of His people.

There are, however, a few points that I want to draw your attention to this evening.

A. The Seed of the Woman always exists with the Seed of the Serpent- 11:27, cf. Josh. 24:2

Terah is Abram’s father. Joshua states plainly in his departing speech, “they served other gods.” The reason I raise this point is that Abram, a man of incredible faith, lived in a household that served false gods.

The Seed of the Woman (and by this I mean true believers of every age) always exist with the Seed of the Serpent. We live in this world, and this is the devil’s world with the devil’s people. We, at the command of Jesus, preach the Gospel to this lost and dying world, but we still live in the midst of it.

Paul offers us some helpful words on this point in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. We are in the world but not of the world.

B. The Seed of the Woman Advances Regardless of Present Circumstances- 11:30

It seems odd that in this genealogical record special mention is made of Sarai’s inability to bear children. Of course, when considered in its greater context, it is not surprising at all. Yet it bears incredible importance to us personally.

When we run into problems, struggles, or dead ends, we can throw our hands up in defeat and think all is lost. But the Scriptures repeatedly show the advancement of God’s plan regardless of the opposition or present circumstances. Consider the many women in Scripture who had difficulty conceiving. Yet, God worked miracles in them. In particular, Abram and Sarai would be promised a great blessing through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed. We will deal with that in chapter 12, but we must remember that the Seed of the woman advances regardless of present circumstances.

Placing it in our own context, persecution cannot stop the growth of the church. We see churches opening up and expanding regardless of the persecution they are facing.