Genesis 10:1-11:9

Following the flood judgment for man’s continual disobedience (Genesis 6-8), Noah’s family was commanded to repopulate the earth (9:1).  Over the course of time, the earth was filled with people who descended from Noah’s three sons – Ham, Shem, and Japheth (10:1).  The fourteen descendants of Japheth are detailed in Genesis 10:2-5 and their tribes eventually occupy the northern territories (10:5).  These northern tribes do not have much connection to Israel’s history, except for some mentions in some of the prophetic books.  In Genesis 10:6-20 the descendants of Ham, who would eventually occupy the eastern and southern territories, are detailed.  Noah cursed Ham’s descendants  (9:18-27) and throughout history the tribes of Ham became enemies of Israel.  Found within the genealogy of Ham’s descendants, Nimrod (a grandson of Ham) is revealed as a very powerful leader who was known as being a mighty hunter (10:8-9).  Scripture also reveals that he also established numerous powerful cities, which would eventually become the enemies of Israel (10:11-12).  It is also significant to point out that Nimrod is responsible for establishing Babel (Babylon), who would later destroy Jerusalem and God’s people in approximately 605-539 BC.  Genesis 10:21-31 details the descendants of Shem.  Notable in Shem’s genealogy  is the birth of Peleg, who lived at a time when the “earth was divided” (10:25).

This mention of the earth being divided is detailed in Genesis 11:1-9.  The entire earth spoke one language at this time (11:1), but men became prideful and attempted to build a tower in Babel whose height reached into the heavens (11:2-4a).  Instead of scattering to fill the earth, the people (led by Nimrod) decided to settle down, establish a city, and build a tower as a monument to make a name for themselves (11:4b).  As a judgment for their pride, God confused the one language of the earth and caused people to speak many languages (11:5-7).  Since they could no longer understand what each other were saying, they moved to different regions (Genesis 10) according to the language that they spoke (11:8-9).  When Israel read Moses’ account of this incident, they would understand three things.  First, Israel would understand the origin of languages.  Secondly, they would know more about enemy nations such as Babylon.  Lastly, Israel would come to understand that obeying God leads to blessing, but disobeying Him leads to punishment.

Dear God, continue to remind me that obeying You is the best thing I can do.