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God’s sovereign mercy on nations provides eternal opportunity for the Lord’s people.

Genesis 10-11 are the last 2 chapters in the “Degeneration” section. We have seen the effects of sin on individuals and the family; now we see what sin does to nations. These 2 chapters are not written chronologically but part of a simultaneous narrative. They layer over one another.

Chapter 10

This chapter has been criticized as nothing but a list of names, but the first and last verses reveal the author’s intent in recording the lineage of Noah’s sons. Japheth’s descendants were the ones to extend farthest geographically into the regions of Greece, Cypress, and Spain.

Ham’s name means “hot,” and his descendants spread into regions of Egypt, Ethiopia, Canaan, Lebanon, Sinai, and Gaza. Ham’s descendant Nimrod was an ancient king, predecessor to the nation of Babylon, whose reputation was known worldwide. Interestingly, in the end times the nation of Babylon will be revived, led by a similar worldwide king called the antichrist, along with the false prophet. The nations of the world will again gather against God and again be defeated.

The descendants of Shem, through whom the Messiah would come, spread into areas of Assyria and Iran. They were the speakers of Semitic languages. Shem’s descendant Peleg’s name means “divided.” The cavernous region from Palestine all the way down to Lake Victoria was named for him. Abraham would descend from Peleg.

Chapter 11

Next week we will study chapter 11 in more detail. Using G. Campbell Morgan’s simple outline, we will first see the confederacy of 70 nations coming together to confront God. God responds by orchestrating confusion of their languages so they will follow His original intent for nations to be spread out over the earth. Lastly we see the continuity of God’s plan to bring a Redeemer through the line of Shem.

Tools for Further Study

A Hymn to Encourage: “Rejoice, the Lord is King!”

Rejoice, the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns, the God of truth and love;
When He had purged our stains He took His seat above;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o’er earth and Heav’n,
The keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He sits at God’s right hand till all His foes submit,
And bow to His command, and fall beneath His feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

He all His foes shall quell, shall all our sins destroy,
And every bosom swell with pure seraphic joy;
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope! Jesus the Judge shall come,
And take His servants up to their eternal home.
We soon shall hear th’archangel’s voice;
The trump of God shall sound, rejoice!