Genesis
Chapter 11 and 12
The City of Babylon Chapter 11: 1-9
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1Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words. 2It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3They said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly." And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4They said, "Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." 5The LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6The LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. 7"Come,let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another's speech." 8So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city. 9Therefore its name was called [a]Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth. New American Standard |
Verses 1-9
I. Shem (10:22) Shem (11:10)
Eber (v.24) Eber (v.14)
Joktan (vs. 26-26) Peleg (v.17)
A. Chapter 11 is to some extent a repeat or explanation of chapter 10. The languages have already been divided, 10:5, 20, 31 as part of spreading abroad. Babel was named in 10:10.
B. These two text are not in chronological order. The text of 10 comments on the natural outcome of growth after the flood. The text of chapter 11 looks at the matter from a different perspective.
. The account of the founding of Babylon falls at the end of a list of 14 names from the line of Joktan (v.10:26-29)
C.. Then, at end of the list of 10 names in the line of Peleg is the call of Abraham (11:27-12:10).
D. They settled in the "plain of Shinar" (V.2)
1. This is later known as the land of "Sumer" or even later "Mesopotamia" (between the rivers) This was the land between the "Tigris" and the "Euphrates". These rivers once flowed from the Garden in Eden (Gen. 2:14).
2. By this time, Nimrod was king of all the "Shinarians." He was Ham's grandson and his father was Cush. He probably resented the curse put on the family by Noah and decided to lead a rebellion against God. An interesting paradox. Nimrod's kingdom was centered in Babylon (Gen.10:10) and apparently he refused to follow the command of God (Gen. 9:1,7) in that humans were commanded to "replenish the earth." Nimord on the other hand was having none of that. His words, "Let us build a city and a tower, whose to may reach unto heaven; and let us make a name , lest we be scattered abroad on the face of the earth" (Gen. 11:4)
3. The tower was to be "unto heavens." Nimrod did not try and build a tower to get to heaven but only a large tower pointing toward the heavens.
4. This tower was dedicated to the 'host of heavens" and to the "worship unto heavens." In other words, Nimrod founded Babylonian astrology. Now he worship the creation instead of the creator. 1
E. Why did God judge to builders of the city/tower?
1. The reasons for building the city was to make a name (sem) for themselves.
2. The conclusion of the story returns to the name (sem) of the city, Babylon, Babel with the confusion of balal their language v.9). So, making a name for themselves is the theme of the story.
3. The term scattered ( v.4) is another them. The purpose of the city was so the inhabitants may not be scattered, over the face of the whole earth. The conclusion of the story they are "scattered" over the whole earth (vs. 8-9)
4. The real story of the Tower of Babylon then is man's distrust of God. God had promised to give man a blessing (what was good) but man wants to do it on his own.
5.
At Pentecost in Acts chapter, 2 we find each person present heard the
gospel in their own language. Pentecost reversed the damage of the
City of Babylon (men seeking to make a name for themselves) and the
division of languages
After
Pentecost, the people are then scattered all over the earth (Acts
8:1-4) and they proclaim the gospel rather than their own concerns
(Acts 2:11)
The Line of Shem
Genesis 11:10-26
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10These are the records of the generations of Shem. Shem was one hundred years old, and became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood 11and Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and he had other sons and daughters. 12Arpachshad lived thirty-five years, and became the father of Shelah;13and Arpachshad lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Shelah, and he had other sons and daughters.14Shelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber;15and Shelah lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Eber, and he had other sons and daughters.16Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg;17and Eber lived four hundred and thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and he had other sons and daughters.18Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu; 19and Peleg lived two hundred and nine years after he became the father of Reu, and he had other sons and daughters. 20Reu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug; 21and Reu lived two hundred and seven years after he became the father of Serug, and he had other sons and daughters. 22Serug lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor; 23and Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and he had other sons and daughters. 24Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father of Terah; 25and Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and he had other sons and daughters.26Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. |
II. The list has ten more names: Compare with the list of chapter 5
A. Notice, in chapter 5 the line is of the "faithful" from Noah to Abraham. The "unfaithful are by-passed."
B. The list from Adam to Abraham provides us with the "offspring" that will eventually be the Messiah the fulfillment of Gen. 3:15.
C. Before the flood we had "two" potential directions to fulfill the seed promise. One from Cain and one form Seth. (see Luke 3:36-38).
D. Now we see that God's promise (Gen.3:15) concerning the seed cannot be changed even with the nations scattered at Babylon.
III. Abraham- 11:27-32
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27Now
these are the records of the generations of Terah. Terah became
the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran; and Haran became the
father of Lot.
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A. This list provides us with the background for understanding the Story of Abraham.
(1) So far in the book of Genesis the author has followed a pattern of using 10 names.
(2) Why did the author include "Iscah" in this list.
(3) The author list on 8 names in this list. Why not ten?
If we continue the narrative, the list will amount to 10 with the sons of Abraham, "Ishmael" (16:15) and "Isaac" (21:3)
(4) So, in this list author anticipates the birth of Isaac.
B. In vs. 27-32--Ur of Chaldeans was Abraham's birth place.
(1) Chapter 11 ten gives us geographical details we do not find in 12.
C. Abraham's call was for him to leave "Ur of Chaldeans" See a also, Nehemiah 9:7 and Acts 7:2-3. It was not from Haran!
D. Ur of Chaldeans becomes an important place as we move through the Bible. For Isaiah, the glory of the Chaldeans is the city of Babylon (Isa.13:19). God will overturn like Sodom and Gomorrah (cf. 48:14b). And of course, it is Babylon who later takes God's people captive.
Genesis 12 (See 20:1-18 and Isaac in 26:1-11)
Abram Journeys to Egypt
I. Abraham's call came in the midst of judgment on Babylon. His call was salvation from in the Midst of the wicked.
A. This is a pattern that is being followed. Abraham like Noah, marks a new beginning.
B. This is also a continued theme of God giving a blessing (1:28 and 9:1).
C. In chapter 10 we have a representative list of all mankind according to their families (v.32). The blessing then is to be on all mankind. Now we see that these families of the earth are to be blessed in Abraham (12:3) so now Abraham becomes a new "Adam." The seed of Abraham as a second Adam and a new humanity. Those who "bless" him God will bless and those who "curse" him God will curse.
D. The seed of Abraham is a major theme from here on. At the close of the book (49:8-12) we have a curtain drawn back so that we may glimpse the seed. This one seed is to come to whom the right of kingship belongs, and will be the "lion of the tribe of Judah" (cf.49:9) and the "obedience of the nations" is His (49:10).
II. Verse 6-9 The sites mentioned when Abraham enters the promised land are selective. Schechem (v6) between Bethel and Ao (v.8) and the Negev (v.9).
These are the same three sites visited by Jacob in chapters 34-35 and later the same sites occupied in the account of the conquest by Joshua.
(12:8)In the third journey he travels to NegA. The Torah does not recount its narrative simply to instruct about ancient history. Rather, its aim is that of teaching religion and heritage and it uses ancient tradition for this purpose. By carefully choosing words, the Torah signals to the reader key relationships within ancient tradition that have meaning. Already in the first section of chapter 12 of Genesis it is possible to recognize this method. Abram comes up out of the north and passes through all the land of Canaan in three journeys. In the first journey he goes to the place of Shechem and there he builds an altar to the Lord (12:6-7). In the second journey he arrives on the east of Bethel, and Ai on the East. Again, he builds an altar and on the place and calls on theev (12:9) and there in Hebron he purchased the field of Machpelah (Gen.23) Jacob's return from the east and his journeys in the land are like those of Abraham. First he goes to Shechem and purchases a field where he puts an altar to God (33:18-20). Before he leaves the site, he commands his household to put away their foreign gods which are in their midst (35:2) and hides all of the idols he received at Shechem beneath the oak tree which is there (35:4). The he goes to Bethel and sets up a pillar to the glory of his God (35:14-15). Finally he travels to the south to Negev and comes to Hebron (35:27).So, the main points in Abraham's journey are the same as those in Jacob's journey and both of the accounts will be exactly the same as Joshua's during the conquest.
B. So, the deeds of the fathers in former times prefigure the deeds of later generations. In this case, the conquest of the land of Canaan was accomplished before Joshua is a symbolic manner.
Abraham in Egypt---Genesis 12:10-13:4
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10Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11It came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; 12and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife'; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13"Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that may live on account of you." 14It came about when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15Pharaoh's officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels. 17But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. 18Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19"Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go." 20Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him. |
I. Verse 12:10-13-4
A. There was a famine and the famine was severe. Abraham was forced to go to Egypt.
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Abraham |
Jacob |
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12:10 There was a famine in the land |
41:54 - There was a famine in the land |
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12:11 ...When he drew near to go to Egypt |
46:28...When they came to the land of Goshen12:11. |
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12:11...He said to his wife Saria |
46:31...Joseph said to his brother |
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12:11...I know that |
46:31...I will go up and say to Pharaoh |
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12:12...And it shall come to pass when the Egyptians see you they shall say |
46:33...And it shall come to pass when Pharaoh sees you he shall say.... |
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12:13...Say |
46:34a..Say |
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12:13...that it might be well with me on the account of you |
46:34b...That you might dwell in the land of Goshen |
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12:13 And the officers of Pharaoh saw her and declared it to Pharaoh |
47:1...And Joseph came and declared to Pharaoh |
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12:15..And the wife was taken to the house of Pharaoh |
47:5...And Pharaoh said "settle your father and brothers in the best part of the land |
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12:15...And Abraham acquired sheep and cattle.... |
47:6...Put them in charge of my livestock |
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12:17...And the Lord struck Pharaoh with great plagues |
Exodus 11:1...One more plague I will bring against Pharaoh |
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12:18...And Pharaoh called to Abram and said |
12:31 ...And Pharaoh called to Moses and Aaron and said |
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12:19...Take and go- |
12:32...Take and go |
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12:20...and sent them away |
12:33...to send them away |
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13:1 ...And Abraham went up from Egypt toward Negev |
12:37...And the sons of Israel traveled from Rameses toward Succoth |
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13:1....And Lot went with him |
12:28...and also a great multitude went with him |
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13:2...And Abraham was very rich |
12:28...And they had very much livestock |
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13:4...Returned to the altar and worshiped God |
12:4...the Passover |
A. God does not allow His past deeds to remain in the past. We then may look at how God has worked in the past and judge as to how He will work in t he future.
B. The reason there are repetitions and recursions of similar narratives though-out the Pentateuch is to show that the matter has already been decided by God and God will act quickly bring about His plan.
C. Major themes in Genesis
1. Even Abraham will be an example of a New Creation
2, Promises (God's promise to Abraham as well as the promise to Noah and the promise is linked to salvation
3. Son...This time it will be Isaac and eventually God's only Son.
4. Land....the Land is a place of rest and security for God's people.
5. Descendants.... fulfilled in those who are In Christ
6. Blessing....Eventually means "justification by faith."
7. Faithfulness.
by
Lane Rogers
1The sign of the Zodiac was developed from these people. Nimrod suggested that honoring the beautiful starry heaven was paying honor to God. The constellations which had been given as "signs" (Gen. 1:14) . These "signs" were signs of God and to worship the "signs" were to honor God. These stars were seen as aids to one's faith. Eventually it was taught that on these stars is where the angelic host of the heavens lived. Therefore, looking at the stars was the same as looking at the gods who controlled life on earth.