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Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 At least 101 years have passed since the flood Gen 11:10-16 10:25 The actions of Noah’s descendants in this story depict something good & bad Good Ù The “strength of unity” Bad Ù Disregard for a command of God

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 The people’s description v. 1 The whole earth “used the same language and the same words” The people’s actions vv. 2-4 They settle in a plain in Shinar v. 2 They decide to “bake bricks” and use tar for COMMUNICATION mortar v. 3

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 The people’s actions vv. 2-4 Utilizing these new “skills,” they made known their plans v. 4 They wanted to build a city Especially, they wanted to erect a tower that reached to the heavens to “make a name for themselves” & to keep them from scattering

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 The people’s actions vv. 2-4 This appeared to be an “attitude” of pride and a “desire” for fame and notoriety Never portrayed positively in the Scripture Prov 6:16-19 16:18 Jas 4:6 1 Pet 5:5-6 God’s people shouldn’t have such an “ambition” 1 Thess 4:11-12 1 Tim 2:2-3

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 The people’s actions vv. 2-4 Besides being an unhealthy “attitude,” the people’s actions were contrary to previous commands of God 1:28 9:1 It would be hard (impossible) for them to “multiply & replenish the earth” if they were all located in Shinar

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 He “came down” to the building site v. 5 He was not “unaware” of their activities Psa 139:1-12 Heb 4:13 His coming down was like His actions in 3:8 It was for a “judicial review” and to thwart man’s actions that were contrary to His will

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 He “came down” to the building site v. 5 He could have acted in the same way from His throne The fact that He “came down” shows just how serious He viewed the situation

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 He recognized their “potential” v. 6 He saw them as “one people” He knew they “spoke the same language” He knew that “…nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them” This is the “STRENGTH OF UNITY”

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 Understanding v. 6 provides insight into some important N.T. teaching re: unity Jesus prayed for all who would believe in Him through the apostles’ testimony to be unified, or “be one” Jn 17:21

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 Understanding v. 6 provides insight into some important N.T. teaching re: unity In rebuking Corinth’s divisiveness, Paul commanded they be “joined together” and “speak the same thing” 1 Cor 1:10

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 Understanding v. 6 provides insight into some important N.T. teaching re: unity Paul also exhorted the Philippian Christians to be “like-minded” & to “be of one accord” Phil 2:1-2

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 Understanding v. 6 provides insight into some important N.T. teaching re: unity A high premium is placed upon UNITY Even though what the people of Gen 11 were doing was not pleasing to God, it still must be admitted what God recognized…

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 Understanding v. 6 provides insight into some important N.T. teaching re: unity …when people unite behind a common cause, there is nothing they cannot accomplish

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 God “confused their language” v. 7 He thwarted their ability to use the same language Ù to COMMUNICATE Once they could no longer effectively communicate, the building project would naturally stop

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 God “scattered” them abroad v. 8a Actions that harmonized with 1:28 & 9:1 LESSON: When the word of God is given on a certain matter, we must recognize its certainty…whatever has been said will be accomplished cp. Isa 55:8-11

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 God “scattered” them abroad v. 8a APPLICATION: Consider Rom 14:10b-12 One great day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Christ as Lord (a “certainty”)

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 God “scattered” them abroad v. 8a APPLICATION: Consider Rom 14:10b-12 Unbelievers may live their entire lives in opposition to God, His will But, they will not escape this day They, too, will bow the knee & confess

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 God “scattered” them abroad v. 8a APPLICATION: Consider Rom 14:10b-12 What a tragic & eternal shame to be made to do something that will not benefit them!! All need to bow the knee & confess NOW while such actions will do us good

The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 Cherished Bible Stories Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11 God’s response v. 5-8 The building project was stopped v. 8b Once men began scattering, the building of the city (and tower) could not continue The place was named “Babel” v. 9 “Confuse” because of the confounding of man’s tongues

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