Genesis 11 - Universal Language, Babel, Confusion

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https://www.slideshare.net/sanctitas/genesis-11532-genealogy-of-shem

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/10/genesis.html
"After the flood, all man spoke the same language.  Technology increased, and people began making bricks to build with.  So, the people began making towns and cities.  In particular, the people were building a large, towering building in Babylon.  Man did this in vain and mostly for selfish reasons.  So, God scattered the people over the face of the earth and confused their language.  God scattered the people from Babylon.  This is why different people groups speak different languages to this day.

The Bible then lists the family line from Shem to Abram (later to be known as Abraham).  This family lineage is as follows:

Shem--Arpachshad--Shelah--Eber--Peleg--Reu--Serug--Nahor--Terah--Abram

Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran.  Abram married Sarai, but she was barren and could have no children.  Nahor married Milcah (the Bible says nothing about their children), and Haran fathered Lot.  Terah along with Abram, Sarai, and Lot leave their home in Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan.  Before they get to the land of Canaan, they settle in Haran.  Abram's father, Terah, dies at the age of 205 in Haran."

Reading from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• "Now the whole earth spoke one language and used the same words (vocabulary)." v.1

• "They said, “Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into separate groups] and be dispersed over the surface of the entire earth [as the Lord instructed].” v.4

• "Now the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one [unified] people, and they all have the same language. This is only the beginning of what they will do [in rebellion against Me], and now no evil thing they imagine they can do will be impossible for them. Come, let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) go down and there confuse and mix up their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” v.5-7   

• "Therefore the name of the city was Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the entire earth; and from that place the Lord scattered and dispersed them over the surface of all the earth." v.9

• "These are the records of the generations of Shem [from whom Abraham descended]." v.10

My personal observations and reflections...

• I find it astounding how mankind/people can actually "unite" to achieve something. Sadly, in this case, it is in SIN, and in complete rebellion against God. They seem to forget God's PURPOSE in each person's life, instead they become blinded with "self-love" or self-aggrandizement of themselves. Who are we to think that we can disregard God, and make up our own plans (outside His will)? We are nothing but dusts; we depend to God every breath and moment of our lives.

God has given us a gift to build something, with the strength of our arms, and brilliance of our minds that COMES FROM HIM-- not to disobey God but to give honor and glory that is due Him.

• GOD'S LOVE. The act of confusing and mixing up the language, and dispersing all the people is an act of love from God. Note that the Lord did not punish them or something, God simply intervened and protected the people from the destructive consequences of their arrogance. Much like in our lives, I think.. I have come to understand that God will sometimes take something away from my life, if He knows it will destroy me, or it will not lead me to His great plans and purpose.. Again, like a parent who protects his/her children from things that will harm or hurt them.

The story of Tower of Babel also makes me ask myself this question, "Do I just want to make a name or fame for myself, or do I want my life to show and declare God's love and goodness?" I could pursue earthly things and riches, but I know that it will all be in vain in the end. What matters to me is God, His glory and splendor and everything that He is.. I hope and pray that that will always be where my heart and eyes, mind and soul are fixed-- to the eternal things of God.

Also, remembering the Lord Jesus when He walked the earth, He was so humble.. He did not desire earthly fame, or recognition, or to be reigned an earthly King,,, but in all His ways acknowledge God the Father, and obeyed to a "T" everything of God commandments. What we can never do as a man, Jesus took our place and fulfilled.

"Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:4-6

• MESSIAH. Descendants of Shem. Now the Bible is focusing particularly to this son of Noah, Shem. Step by step we are shown  generations that will lead to Abram (later called Abraham). Now we know where the Bible is going with this, details about the coming Christ (Savior)!

Read the Bible here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+11&version=AMP