Genesis 10-11—The Babel Crisis I. What is the importance of the genealogical information in Genesis chapter 10? A. Noah’s prophecy concerning his three sons (Gen. 9:24-27) 1. Shem Shem was clearly established as the line through whom Jesus, the Seed of the Woman would come (Luke 3:36; Gen. 11:10-26).

2. Ham The curse of Ham seems to flow to all of his sons. Part of the curse on the Ham line is that they would serve Shem and Japheth and their line (Josh. 9:21, 27; Judg. 1:28; I Kgs. 9:20-21). 3. Japheth Japheth would also be blessed but he would clearly be under the patriarchal authority of Shem.

B. The seed of the serpent and the Seed of the Woman Ham’s line would end up being used by Satan to oppose the godly line throughout the Old Testament age. 1. Cush begat Nimrod the founder of Babylon and Nineveh (Gen. 10:6-8). 2. Mizraim became the father of the Egyptians (Gen. 10:6; Ps. 78:51).

3. Canaan became the father of the various Canaanite groups. 4. Phut was allied against the people of God under Tyrus (Ezek. 27:10).

C. The birth of the nations (Gen. 9:18- 19; 10:1). 1. The new population of the earth began with Noah (1), extended to his sons (3) and became seventy nations (70).

2. The seventy nations were represented in the three sons. a. Twenty six nations came from Shem (Gen. 10:21-31). b. Thirty nations came from Ham (Gen. 10:6-20). c. Fourteen nations came from Japheth (Gen. 10:2-5).

D. The four divisions of people (Gen. 10:5, 20, 31). 1. Families 2. Languages 3. Lands 4. Nations

II. What do we know about Nimrod, the father of Babel? A. Nimrod was an instrument in the hands of Satan. 1. He came from the cursed line of Ham (Gen. 10:8). 2. He his name means “rebel” or “let us rebel.” 3. He was a mighty chieftain (Gen. 10:8; I Chr. 1:10).

“He was the first that formed a plan of government, and brought men into subjection to it; and so the Jews make him to be the first king after God.” –John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible “He was the first that formed a plan of government, and brought men into subjection to it; and so the Jews make him to be the first king after God.” –John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible 4. He was a tyrant in the face of the Lord (Gen. 6:11). a. Josephus says that Nimrod hunted or opposed those in the godly line.

b. The Jerusalem Targum says, “He was powerful in hunting and in wickedness before the Lord, for he was a hunter of the sons of men, and he said to them, ‘Depart from the judgment of the Lord, and adhere to the judgment of Nimrod!’” Therefore it is said: “As Nimrod the strong one, strong in hunting, and in wickedness before the Lord.”

c. The Chaldee paraphrase of this verse says, “Cush begat Nimrod who began to prevail in wickedness, for he slew innocent blood and rebelled against Jehovah.”

5. He was a city builder (Gen. 9:1; 11:4). a. He built the city of Babel. b. He built the city of Nineveh. c. He built at least eight other cities (Gen. 10:10-12).

6. He built a tower to the heavens (Gen. 11:3-4). The city seems to represent a political system while the tower was clearly religious. a. Babel originally meant “Gate of God.” b. The tower was most likely meant to be an astrological observatory to see into the heavens.

7. His kingdom was filled with pride (Gen. 11:4) a. As such they wanted to build themselves a city. b. As such they wanted to build a tower ascending to the heavens. c. As such they wanted to make a name for themselves. d. As such they wanted to defy God’s clear command.

8. His kingdom was unified (Gen. 11:1, 5-6). a. They had one language or speech. b. They had one purpose.

B. Nimrod is a type of antichrist. NimrodAntichrist His name means “rebel”He is called the “lawless one” (II Th. 2:8) He exalted his will against GodHE will do the same (Dan. 11:36-38) He is called “mighty” four timesHe will come with signs and wonders (II. Th. 2:9). He was a hunter of the godly.He is called a bloody and deceitful man (Ps. 5:6). Nimrod was a king with a kingdomHe will have his kingdom as well (Dan. 11:36) His headquarters was in BabylonHis is in spiritual Babylon (Is. 14:4; Rev. 17:3-5) Nimrod was lifted up in prideHe will be lifted up (II Th. 2:4). Nimrod had a united kingdomHe will as well (Rev.17:1-6)

III. What is the significance of the crisis at Babel? A. It teaches us of the power of unity. 1. Unity is a most powerful force that can be used for good or evil (Gen. 11:6). 2. All that has to happen for purpose to be frustrated is for unity to be destroyed.

B. It helps us to understand the miracle of Pentecost. BabelPentecost Spirit of SatanSpirit of God Earthly Kingdom and CityHeavenly Kingdom and City RebellionObedience BlasphemyWorship Bitumen BricksLiving Stones False WorshipTrue Worship To glorify manTo glorify God To make man a nameTo exalt the name of the Lord Trying to Band TogetherWaiting to be Released Tongues bring ConfusionTongues bring Unity