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Genesis 10 - 11
Genesis 10:9 Introducing Nimrod
Here we are introduced to a person named Nimrod, which means “mighty hunter”. This expression means “a hunter of men,” a warrior. And, being a fierce warrior, he became the very first empire builder, and world tyrant. And, that first empire was Babel…… the most ancient Babylon, not the Babylon of Nebuchadnezzar which came many centuries later.
The spelling of Bav-el ends in “EL” indicates the word “God,” the highest god, actually. Originally, Bav-el meant the city of God. Eventually, its meaning changed to reflect what happened there; and the word Bavel came to mean confusion.
Genesis Chapter 11: The Tower of Babel
Are you all familiar with Stonehenge, that prehistoric structure in England? It consists of a ring of standing stones, each around 13 feet high, seven feet wide, and weighing around 25 tons. Stonehenge was produced by a culture that left no written records, so we must try to figure out how they built it and why. And no, it wasn’t built by ancient astronauts from another planet. Stonehenge sounds mysterious, like the Tower of Babel. What exactly was this tower? Why was it built? What happened to it?
After the Flood, God commanded humanity to "increase in number and fill the earth" (Gen. 9:1). Humanity decided to increase in number, but to stay pretty much where they were. Gen. 11:4, “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth’”. They didn’t want to relocate, and they wanted something to glorify themselves.
Perhaps it’s human nature to want to remain where you are comfortable and to build something to impress others. In Matt. 28:19, Jesus told the disciples, “GO into all the world . . . preach the Gospel . . . make disciples (students) baptize and teach.” Rather than going, some churches focus on staying and building.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he said in Acts 1:8 “But you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” I imagine there were some in the group who thought to themselves, “I hope I don’t have to go far away. I don’t like strange people or the foods they eat. I want to stay here where I am comfortable.” So, to help some in the early church to “go” God didn’t confuse their languages, but he did allow for persecution to assist them in moving out of their comfort zone to spread the Gospel.
Let’s get back to the Tower of Babel. Why did the people of old build the tower? There are several theories. One is that they built it to protect themselves from another flood. That makes some sense. But how many people could fit in or on this structure? Perhaps it was FOR MEMBERS ONLY, like an exclusive country club. Other scholars believe that it was a temple for worshipping on or in. Whatever it was, it wasn’t what God wanted them to occupy themselves with.
Who led the people to build this tower? His name was Nimrod, great grandson of Noah. How can we go from Noah, who found favor in the eyes of the LORD (Gen. 6:8), to Nimrod in just a few generations? Well, it was Noah who found favor in the eyes of the Lord, not necessarily his family members. Perhaps his family members were saved only because of the righteousness of Noah. Later in our study we will find a righteous king whose son and successor was one of the most wicked kings.
We have theories as to who built it and why. But why did God scatter the people? Why didn’t he just knock the structure down?
Perhaps, as one scholar suggested, the confusing of the languages may have been the means to protect the people from falling under the control of one tyrant ruling the entire world. We think this might happen someday during the Great Tribulation where a one world government is ruled by on tyrant, and everyone had to learn one language.
Can there be another reason why God wanted to scatter the people? Have you ever watched a mob during a riot? You might see rioters breaking the front windows of businesses downtown, turning over cars, setting fires, etc. People tend to do some things in a crowd that they would never do alone. It is easier to be anonymous in a crowd. A crowd can encourage you to act against your better nature. Perhaps in a densely populated area there might be more sin, more crime. Are we more inclined to sin if we are in a city where there are more people who are strangers to us than if we are in a more rural area where everyone knows everyone else? Are any of you sociologists? Can you tell me if crime increases with population density?
So, what happened to the tower? Is it a tourist sight like Stonehenge? Can we go there on buses like tourists do to visit the Pyramids? Sorry, it’s gone. There is no mention in the Bible of its destruction. One source suggests that God overturned the tower with a great wind. If so, I guess they didn’t have very strict building codes back them. Or, the general contractor was as corrupt as some of the leaders.
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Why Study the Bible?
Don’t many consider the Bible to be just a book of myths? Why do we read the Bible rather than the sacred literature of other religions?
How do we know that it is from God? How do we know that what we have today is an accurate translation from the original? Is the Bible complete or have there been some books that have been lost?
We should be able to answer these questions, and there are answers! So start here!
Answers to Common Bible Questions
Lent is a six week period of spiritual devotion starting on Ash Wednesday and ending at Easter. Those who observe Lent usually give up something for Lent. Some might give up coffee, or soda pop, or alcohol, or chocolate. May I suggest that you give up something that will really impress God and make this season of Lent one of the most memorable and meaningful seasons of your life? May I suggest that if you are giving up something, why not give up some of the acts of our sinful nature mentioned in Gal. 5:19? Why don’t we give up lying about others? Do you think you can give up the hate you feel towards others? How about envy, can we work on putting envy aside this year? How about giving up on the naïve idea that all pastors are mature Christian leaders whose word should always be accepted, rather than wolfs in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15). How about giving up the idea that everyone in church is a real Christian (Matt 7:21-23). How about giving up your desire to seek revenge on those who have hurt you (Matt 18:21-22)? If you are insecure and feel threatened when you see the success of others in ministry, how about giving up efforts to hinder others who have been called to minister (Rom 12:4-8)? Of course it is easier to give up something like chocolate, etc. and make yourself feel like you are doing something that is pleasing to God. If you are not willing to give up unchristian behavior, might I suggest something that will really please God this Lent? Give up all evidence of your profession of Christian faith, such as books, pictures and jewelry. Don’t talk about God, Jesus or the Church. I think God would appreciate it if you would stop giving HIM a bad name by the way you live. Let’s give up what hinders our witness and become a better ambassador for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) this Lenten season.
In Matthew 2:1-2 is says that the magi saw "His star in the east." What was this star that guided these men to Jesus? Some have suggested that it could have been a comet, an asteroid, or perhaps a meteor or an especially bright star. The problem with these suggestions is that these physical things either quickly move across the sky and then disappear or are too far away to provide directions with any precision. It would be hard to get directions from such objects. The "star" had to move constantly or intermittently at the same pace as the magi. Then it says that it hovered over the house where Mary and Joseph had moved to with Jesus. It hardly sounds like a comet or meteor or a star as we know them. Can you think of another time that people in the Bible were guided by some form of light? How about the time when Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt? He didn't have a global positioning system with him. He did have a pillar of fire that led him at night (Ex 13:21-22). We see this light in Solomon's Temple (2 Chron 7:1-3) and when the Jews were about to go into Babylonian captivity, we see it leaving the Temple (Ezek 9-11). In the New Testament we see it at the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:9) at His transfiguration (Matt 17:5) and His ascension (Acts 1:9). What exactly was this guiding light? The word "star" can also be translated as "radiance." It appears that it was this "radiance" that guided Moses and the magi. The Jews call this the "Shekinah", a physical manifestation of the glory of God in the form of a supernatural radiance. This, I believe, is what the Star of Bethlehem was.
Imagine that you are the pastor of a church. A young married couple is having some difficulties in their relationship and they seek counsel from you. On Monday the wife comes in to give her assessment of their marriage. What do you think she will say? She might say that she is a hardworking, caring and supportive wife and that it is her husband who is the neglectful, insensitive brute and the source of all problems in the marriage. You feel so sorry for this wife and when you see her husband in the hallway, you think to yourself, "What a jerk." On Friday the husband comes in and gives his assessment of the marriage. He tells you that he is hard working and very generous and that she is the major problem in the relationship. As the pastor, you are wondering if they both are talking about the same marriage. Each person tells you what makes them look best and their spouse the worst. Where is the truth? The truth is probably somewhere in between Proverbs 18:17 says, "The first to present his case seems right, til another comes forward and questions him." There are conflicts in all relationships, between spouses, parents and children, employees and employers. When you hear one side of a story, don’t assume that what you hear is the complete truth. And don’t pass on to someone else what you have heard. Probably, at least some of what you heard is untrue to gain your support in a conflict.