Genesis 10

Oh family trees in the Bible… if you are a genealogy lover this chapter is for you. I enjoy taking time to look up names and find meanings and guess at just how some names were pronounced. Other than that I get lost in all these lines of names and by the time I’ve finished a verse have already forgotten WHO it originated with.

It is always interesting to note the few names that get singled out with some tiny explanation that usually leaves you wanting a little more. I assume if the author took time to single the person out then there is good reason to pay attention.

10:8-12 Nimrod

• He is pronounced as the 1st great warrior in the world – WOW!
• He was a “great hunter before God” – what exactly does that mean?
• “His kingdom got its start with Babel” and he built Ninevah… hmmmm

Genesis 11

This chapter goes all wrong when they decide to make themselves famous (v.4) and build a tower to the heavens. There is always the danger of trying to build ourselves and our abilities up and make ourselves a name among others instead of seeking after God.

Interesting also to note that they say it is so they won’t be scattered (v.4) but then God comes down in 11:8-9 and breaks them into various languages and scatters them throughout the world. What they were afraid would happen they brought about.

It reminds me of Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (NIV)