Read Genesis 10
Highlights:
Descendants of Noah; Babel; origin of languages; the call and Covenant of God with Abram; his journeys to Canaan and Egypt.
Nimrod is the first king mentioned in the Bible: The beginning of his kingdom was Babel (Gen. 10:10). Nimrod means "rebel." He was a mighty hunter before the LORD (10:9). Later we read: Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth (I Chr. 1:10).
With Nimrod as their leader, the people united to build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven. They said: Let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth (Gen. 11:4). The words make us a name revealed their desire for power. The carnal human heart seeks a name for itself and wants to feel important. It has no desire to glorify God.
The mighty Nimrod established the first world empire and ruled it. His self-centered ambition to build a tower whose top may reach unto heaven did not mean he expected to reach the throne of the Almighty God — his desire was to make himself and his followers mighty enough to rule the world. Nimrod was a hunter — probably meaning a hunter of men who would support his ambitions. Before the LORD means that this rebel pursued his own ambitious plans in defiance of God, who had commanded Adam and Noah: Multiply, and replenish (fill) the earth (1:28; 9:1).
Just as it was in the days of Nimrod, there is a worldwide movement today to unite and control all people and all religions into a one-world government and one superchurch. This government and religious system is recorded in Revelation 17:3-5 (see December 29 devotion). The only assurance of not being deceived in this age of lawlessness is knowing the Word of God and having a personal relationship with Jesus. This knowledge exposes the motives behind the actions of leaders in world affairs.
The call of God demands that we make a choice. Even the closest ties of human loyalty or affection must be cut when they conflict with our submission to Christ and what is written in His Word. He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me (Matt. 10:38).
Thought for Today:
And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all (Mark 9:35).
Christ Revealed:
As the Promised Seed of Abraham (Gen. 12:3,7; compare Matthew 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). He took on Him the seed (offspring) of Abraham (Heb. 2:16).
Word Studies:
10:25 earth divided, people became separated; 11:3 Go to, Come; 12:7 seed, descendants; 12:10 sojourn, live temporarily; 12:16 had, gave him.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Chris Robison • Country: Maldives (300,000) 400 miles southwest of Sri Lanka • Major languages: Divehi and English • Christian witnessing is banned • 99.9% Muslim; .1% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord in times of trouble (Matt. 8:24-25).
Optional Reading: Matthew 4
Memory Verse for the Week: John 3:14