We see that nations that came from the family of Noah and his sons and their desire to build a tower at Babel. The flood did not change the condition of the heart. Noah and his sons carried the condition of Adam.
Genesis 10: Nations Descended from Noah
1 These are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood.
2 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
3 The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.
4 The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
5 From these the coastland peoples spread in their lands, each with his own language, by their clans, in their nations.
6 The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan.
7 The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
8 Cush fathered Nimrod; he was the first on earth to be a mighty man.
9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD. Therefore it is said, "Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD."
10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
11 From that land he went into Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and
12 Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.
14 Pathrusim, Casluhim (from whom the Philistines came), and Caphtorim.
15 Canaan fathered Sidon his firstborn and Heth,
16 and the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites,
17 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites,
18 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the clans of the Canaanites dispersed.
19 And the territory of the Canaanites extended from Sidon in the direction of Gerar as far as Gaza, and in the direction of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.
20 These are the sons of Ham, by their clans, their languages, their lands, and their nations.
21 To Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth, children were born.
22 The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram.
23 The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.
24 Arpachshad fathered Shelah; and Shelah fathered Eber.
25 To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided, and his brother's name was Joktan.
29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan.
30 The territory in which they lived extended from Mesha in the direction of Sephar to the hill country of the east.
31 These are the sons of Shem, by their clans, their languages, their lands, and their nations.
32 These are the clans of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, in their nations, and from these the nations spread abroad on the earth after the flood.
Genesis 11: The Tower of Babel
1 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words.
2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.
3 And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar.
4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth."
5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built.
6 And the LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.
7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech."
8 So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city.
9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.
Shem's Descendants
10 These are the generations of Shem. When Shem was 100 years old, he fathered Arpachshad two years after the flood.
11 And Shem lived after he fathered Arpachshad 500 years and had other sons and daughters.
12 When Arpachshad had lived 35 years, he fathered Shelah.
13 And Arpachshad lived after he fathered Shelah 403 years and had other sons and daughters.
14 When Shelah had lived 30 years, he fathered Eber.
15 And Shelah lived after he fathered Eber 403 years and had other sons and daughters.
16 When Eber had lived 34 years, he fathered Peleg.
17 And Eber lived after he fathered Peleg 430 years and had other sons and daughters.
18 When Peleg had lived 30 years, he fathered Reu.
19 And Peleg lived after he fathered Reu 209 years and had other sons and daughters.
20 When Reu had lived 32 years, he fathered Serug.
21 And Reu lived after he fathered Serug 207 years and had other sons and daughters.
22 When Serug had lived 30 years, he fathered Nahor.
23 And Serug lived after he fathered Nahor 200 years and had other sons and daughters.
24 When Nahor had lived 29 years, he fathered Terah.
25 And Nahor lived after he fathered Terah 119 years and had other sons and daughters.
26 When Terah had lived 70 years, he fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
Terah's Descendants
27 Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot.
28 Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his kindred, in Ur of the Chaldeans.
29 And Abram and Nahor took wives. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and Iscah.
30 Now Sarai was barren; she had no child.
31 Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there.
32 The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran.
Things to think about…
1. The unfortunate outworking of Noah’s drunkenness meant the Ham’s son Canaan would be cursed. Canaan of course fathered the Canaanite nations that would be overtaken by the Eber (the Hebrews) fathered by Shem, Gen 10:21-25. Abraham came from the east and was from the line of Eber, Gen 11:17-26. His line would know the outworking of this curse/blessing between himself and the land of Canaan. How do you reconcile that these events ultimately had their origin in the curse of a man who was drunk and whose son was clearly showing disrespect for his father. Sin is the curse of us all, but there is life, grace and forgiveness in Christ.
2. The different languages spoken of in Gen 10:5 is a summary of what happened as a result of the tower of Babel. This is not a contradiction in the scriptures. A bit like Gen 2 is a summary of Gen 1 and not meant to be another account of creation.
3. Have a look at the reason they wanted to build the tower of Babel in Gen 11:5. It was so they wouldn’t be dispersed over all the earth. But the Lord’s command to Adam was that they fill the earth. Their building activity showed their continued rebellion in the heart of man against the Lord. Even after the flood and a worldwide reset, there was still a native rebellion in the heart of man.
4. The ancient city of Babel is part of the ancient ruins of Babylon which Saddam Hussein tried to rebuild in modern day Iraq. We know that the city would be a haunt for jackals and never to be rebuilt – this is still the case. The tower of Babel stands as a testament to man’s arrogance and pride against God. One thing the evolutionists have all struggled with is how the different languages evolved. The bible story says it was a judgement and seems too simplistic. Today English has become the modern global language. Humanity is once again becoming united under a common language which we know will unite again in one global purpose against the Lord, His people and His message.
5. Note how quickly the lifespans drop off as noted in the line of Shem, Gen 11:10-32. Terah is the father of Abram who now becomes the focus for the next few chapters. God has always raised up individuals to represent Him and show His light in this fallen world. Abram (Abraham) was that light in the ancient world.
Vision Point
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Questions for Cell groups
Sunday’s sermon, “Am I my brother’s keeper” came from Gen 4:1-16 by Ps Jay.
1. Is there a person’s life that you envy, either past or present? Discuss reasons why.
2. God didn’t accept Cain’s sacrifice, but accepted Abel’s sacrifice. Why was this the case?
3. God told Cain that sin was crouching at the door, ready to strike. This is like Satan the snake. Cain didn’t listen, even though God spoke to him directly. Cain then murders Abel after speaking with him. Discuss why it is easier to destroy God’s servants rather than focus anger directly to the Lord.
3. Eve was told her seed would bring separation from the seed of the Serpent. What a tragedy for her when her son rather than being a messiah was a murderer. Discuss how you bring Christ to your children, even when they do not embrace the Saviour.
4. Pray for your cell group and prayer/praise points.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for those who heard the gospel on Sunday. Pray for Christ to grant them salvation.
2. Pray for Victoria they are in stage 4 lockdown. Curfews and very strict travel restrictions in place for 4 weeks.
3. Pray for our church services now meeting together and our streaming that both can continue to be done well every Sunday.
4. Continue to pray for our government for wisdom and economic management.
5. Sunday’s fb live messages and for Kids church. The message this week – “The legacy of Abraham” Gen 4 – Doug Horne.
6. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
7. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times.
Praise Points.
1. New visitors on Sunday. Please pray that they receive Christ as their Saviour. Pray they keep coming back to CBC.
2. Full church – had to use our overflow in house and café
3. Wonderful spirit of joy in our church. Thankyou Jesus.
4. Finances being maintained and donation to Café roof. Thankyou!
7. Praise God for worship and technical team – amazing individuals.
Announcements
1. One service at 9:30am Every Sunday morning. This service will also be live streamed. No kisses, hand-shakes or hugs are allowed. Hand sanitizer is to be used, tables will be wiped and chairs arranged for appropriate distancing. Families can of course sit together. CBC is allowed up to 50 people inside, then we will have an overflow into the café.
2. Cell groups – Ask for details as to how and what is required.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Kids Church will be run in the house when the message starts.
Q. 15. What do we pray for in the fifth petition? A. That God would pardon our sins for Christ's sake, and enable us to forgive those who have wronged us.
