WBS TTB February 14, 2019
Genesis 11
Verses 1-4 People Build a Tower
Since they are all descendants of Adam, there was most likely only one common language. Here we see them settling down together in Babylon (aka: Shinar) instead of spreading out over the earth as instructed. We also see them making their giant tower waterproof; they don’t believe God’s promise to never flood the earth again.
If they really wanted to build a tower to reach heaven, it is unlikely they would start on the plain of Shinar, which is about Sea Level. Common sense says they would start on one of the nearby mountains. This tower was real. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus said the tower of Babel still stood in his day and he had seen it.
(From Guzik commentary)
Question:
What kinds of things in our time show that society hasn’t changed much. What do people do that show disregard for God’s command and disbelief in his promises?
Verses 5-7 Theophanies
This is quite possibly an instance when God came to earth as a man (Jesus). Many students of Scripture conclude that “the Angel of the Lord” in the Old Testament is none other than Christ Himself. He is called God, given attributes of God, seen by people, worshiped, and distinguished from the Father and Spirit. So rather than undermining the uniqueness and importance of Christ, theophanies (Greek theos = God & phanies = appear) affirm the uniqueness of Jesus. They also show the intimacy of God with His creation, unlike the distant god of deism that some people incorrectly associate with the God of the Bible. (From Tim Chaffey, AIG)
Reflection:
Read Genesis 18:1-15. What is the instance of theophanies here? Are there others?
Question:
How do you feel about God’s interaction with mankind on such a personal level?
Verse 8-9 God Scatters the People
The forced separation of men from Babel was more God’s mercy than His judgment. God, in dividing man both linguistically and geographically, put a check on the power of his fallen nature...
Think what it was like for a family to leave the area of Babel and go out on their own. They must look for a suitable place to live, and once they found it, they must exist by hunting and gathering, living in crude dwellings or caves until they could support themselves by agriculture and taking advantage of the natural resources. Families would multiply rapidly, develop their own culture, and their own distinctive biological and physical characteristics influenced by their environment. In the small population, genetic characteristics change very quickly, and as the population of the group grew bigger, the changes stabilized and became more or less permanent...
The division of the languages is a fascinating subject. Modern linguists know man did not invent language, any more than man invented his own circulatory or nervous system... Language is so complex because languages exist as whole systems, not as small parts put together. Most modern linguists believe all languages come from one original language. (Guzik)
Reflection:
What truths and conclusions can you draw from these facts about dispersion and language?
Instead of punishing their wickedness, we see God intervenes on mankind’s behalf by inventing languages. People who understood others who spoke like themselves migrated to different areas together. Look up the following scriptures and confirm God’s character of kindness, mercy. He is always leading people towards himself so they can be saved.
*Romans 2:4 God’s kindness leads people to ___________________.
*2 Peter 3:9 God doesn’t want anyone to be ____________________.
*Psalm 103:8-10 God doesn’t punish us as we ___________________.
Explore: Genesis 11:9
That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord ___________ the people with different _________________. In this way he___________them all over the world.
Express:
1. God’s will prevails! (Proverbs 19:21)
2. God did not punish or judge; he miraculously intervened. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
3. God keeps his promises. (Genesis 9:14-15)
Engage: (personal prayer)
Genesis 11
Verses 1-4 People Build a Tower
Since they are all descendants of Adam, there was most likely only one common language. Here we see them settling down together in Babylon (aka: Shinar) instead of spreading out over the earth as instructed. We also see them making their giant tower waterproof; they don’t believe God’s promise to never flood the earth again.
If they really wanted to build a tower to reach heaven, it is unlikely they would start on the plain of Shinar, which is about Sea Level. Common sense says they would start on one of the nearby mountains. This tower was real. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus said the tower of Babel still stood in his day and he had seen it.
(From Guzik commentary)
Question:
What kinds of things in our time show that society hasn’t changed much. What do people do that show disregard for God’s command and disbelief in his promises?
Verses 5-7 Theophanies
This is quite possibly an instance when God came to earth as a man (Jesus). Many students of Scripture conclude that “the Angel of the Lord” in the Old Testament is none other than Christ Himself. He is called God, given attributes of God, seen by people, worshiped, and distinguished from the Father and Spirit. So rather than undermining the uniqueness and importance of Christ, theophanies (Greek theos = God & phanies = appear) affirm the uniqueness of Jesus. They also show the intimacy of God with His creation, unlike the distant god of deism that some people incorrectly associate with the God of the Bible. (From Tim Chaffey, AIG)
Reflection:
Read Genesis 18:1-15. What is the instance of theophanies here? Are there others?
Question:
How do you feel about God’s interaction with mankind on such a personal level?
Verse 8-9 God Scatters the People
The forced separation of men from Babel was more God’s mercy than His judgment. God, in dividing man both linguistically and geographically, put a check on the power of his fallen nature...
Think what it was like for a family to leave the area of Babel and go out on their own. They must look for a suitable place to live, and once they found it, they must exist by hunting and gathering, living in crude dwellings or caves until they could support themselves by agriculture and taking advantage of the natural resources. Families would multiply rapidly, develop their own culture, and their own distinctive biological and physical characteristics influenced by their environment. In the small population, genetic characteristics change very quickly, and as the population of the group grew bigger, the changes stabilized and became more or less permanent...
The division of the languages is a fascinating subject. Modern linguists know man did not invent language, any more than man invented his own circulatory or nervous system... Language is so complex because languages exist as whole systems, not as small parts put together. Most modern linguists believe all languages come from one original language. (Guzik)
Reflection:
What truths and conclusions can you draw from these facts about dispersion and language?
Instead of punishing their wickedness, we see God intervenes on mankind’s behalf by inventing languages. People who understood others who spoke like themselves migrated to different areas together. Look up the following scriptures and confirm God’s character of kindness, mercy. He is always leading people towards himself so they can be saved.
*Romans 2:4 God’s kindness leads people to ___________________.
*2 Peter 3:9 God doesn’t want anyone to be ____________________.
*Psalm 103:8-10 God doesn’t punish us as we ___________________.
Explore: Genesis 11:9
That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord ___________ the people with different _________________. In this way he___________them all over the world.
Express:
1. God’s will prevails! (Proverbs 19:21)
2. God did not punish or judge; he miraculously intervened. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
3. God keeps his promises. (Genesis 9:14-15)
Engage: (personal prayer)