Highlights In Today's Reading:
What a time to be alive! After the flood destroyed all of the human race except Noah's family, God introduces the Hebrew race beginning with Abram.
Our fallen nature, which desires greatness and has a passion for importance, should be our principle concern. Nimrod began to be a mighty one in the earth (10:8) and was the first leader of human government. Motivated by pride and ambition and led by Nimrod, the people intended to build us a city and a tower (of Babel) . . . and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth (11:4). They also attempted to build a kingdom in defiance of the Kingdom of God. God's plan of unity is spiritual. Spiritual unity is an invisible bond that binds believers to one another through Christ. The people at Babel attempted to defy the command of God to replenish the earth (1:28; 9:1). . . . lest we be scattered abroad. God dealt with this rebellion by dividing the people into nations who spoke different languages and He scattered them across the face of the earth. From that time on, Babel (or Babylon) became a symbol of this present evil world (Gal 1:4) motivated by Satan in defiance of the Word of God. Historic Babylon has been destroyed as prophesied in Isaiah 13:19-22, but this God-defying spirit of rebellion against the authority of God's Word still remains today, attempting to dominate and control the minds of men. (See Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2,10,21.)
There is no record of repentence for the sin committed at Babel and, in each successive generation, true worship was once again lost. Just one man, Abram, found favor in the eyes of God. He was called of God to leave the security of his home and friends to do the will of God. Abram is mentioned 74 times in the New Testament. Through faith all believers in Christ are counted as Abram's descendents: If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3:29).. Abram's first act of faith is recorded in Gen. 12:1-4 and confirmed again in the New Testament: By faith Abraham, when he was called . . . obeyed. . . . For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:8-10).
Many today, like the people of Babel, are too occupied with looking for sources other than God's Word in an attempt to build their own "kingdom," popularity, importance, and other goals in life. It is one thing to know that the Bible reveals God's will; it is quite another to prayerfully read it daily with a heartfelt desire to please Him — with eyes, like Abraham's, focused on the Kingdom of God. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Col. 3:1-2).
Thought for Today:
Since the spirit of defiance is alive and well in our world today, we must be even more on guard that we wholly follow the Word of God.
Christ Revealed:
As the Promised Seed of Abraham (Gen. 12:3,7; compare Matt. 1:1; Acts 3:25-26; Gal. 3:16). Abraham was a type of Christ who leads the way to a far better promised land (John 14:2-4,6; Heb. 11:8-10).
Word Studies:
10:5 isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands =hey became separate nations; after his tongue =ccording to their language; 11:3 Go to =ome; slime =robably pitch and tar; 11:4 upon =ver; make us a name =ecome a great people; glorify ourselves rather than God; lest we be =nstead of our being; 11:9 confound =onfuse; 12:5 substance =ossessions; 12:7 seed =escendants, offspring; 12:10 sojourn =ive temporarily; grievous =evere.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka Broadcasts for week sponsored by Mr. Derek Ronnie • Country: Tajikistan (6 million) southeast central Asia • Major languages: Tajik and Russian • Almost entirely Muslim • 82% Muslim; 4% Russian Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: When you pray, be brief and pray from your heart (Eccl. 5:2).
Optional Reading: Matthew 4
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 1:21