Genesis 10

2006.Nov.28 21:30

The Building of Nations

Read Genesis 10:1-32 | Full Chapter

From these the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every one according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.
(Genesis 10:4, NASB)

Genesis 10 list the descendents of Noah with here-and-there commentary. I suppose I could research all this a bit and discover all sorts of interesting stuff. Not likely this week, though.

Apparently, the tower of Babel fiasco (Genesis 11) occurs somewhere in the period covered in this chapter. Verse 25 says of Peleg, "in his days the earth was divided" (Genesis 10:25, NASB) , which might well refer to the breakup of languages, cultures, etc after Babel.

What this chapter seems to especially follow is how the descendents of Noah divided into distinct nations, particularly distinguished by language. Sin separated Adam and Eve from each other to some extent, and so it does throughout humanity. Now, this has some nice results, in particular the vast array of human culture, which is, well, wonderful. I’d like to think that that piece wouldn’t require the division of humanity, but I don’t know. What I do know is that the history of humanity is full of nations dividing themselves against other nations. I’d cite examples, but where would I start.

It is not God’s desire for one group of humans to war against another, but in our sin against God, we also sin against other humans. If we are proud before Jehovah, how could we not be before out siblings? It’s a sobering thought to realize that when I give in to my sin, I am taking the exact same steps as have started countless wars. My pride is not essentially different from the pride that has led people to attempt genocide. Sin for a season is not worth it because it separates me from God. It’s also not worth the separation from other people.