Babbling On

O.T. #27   "Babbling On"
April 17, 2013
Genesis 11-Part 2
Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Genesis 11:9

LET IT GLOW

I've seen many babbling brooks where shallow water flows over rocks. I've heard babbling babies, making meaningless sounds. I've even listened to women babble on and on about something.
Babble, in Webster's Dictionary, means talk idly, chatter; utter words imperfectly.
That must have been what happened at the Tower of Babel (pronounced with a long a), but my slang uses a short a. I'm talking about after God confused their languages.

Here were these people building a tower to reach heaven, to honor themselves, not God.

God confounded the workers, making it impossible to work together. It was an act of mercy as well as judgment, for had they persisted in their plan, a more terrible judgment would have followed. (Wiersbe)

I had not looked at it that way. Their rebellion could have developed into judgment from God, not a good thing for the people.

How do we look at events in our lives, the ones that frustrate us? Do we see them as mercy or judgment?

They could have been standing next to a person, carrying on a conversation, and the next minute it was not understandable, just babbling. I wonder if God got their attention? Well, that's what it took to accomplish God's will-scattering the people on the earth.

What will it take for people around you to do God's will? For you and me?

LET IT GROW

The rest of chapter 11 lists the generations of Shem, Noah's son, the one through whom Christ was born. Verse 26 brings the line on down to Terrah.

Who was Terrah? Why was he so important to be listed here?

• He was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. The oldest son is not placed first, but the most important son from the messianic viewpoint is first. (Falwell)
• He lived 205 years, which means Abram was born when Terrah was 130.
• He worshipped heathen gods, according to Joshua 24:2.
• His own name, and those of Laban, Sarah, and Milcah, points toward the moon-god as the most prominent pagan deity. Haran was a moon-worship center. (Falwell)
• His son, Haran, died before father Terah in the land of his nativity, birthplace. (verse 28) Haran was older than his brother Abram. Haran had a son named Lot, which is familiar to us.
• The family moved in Ur of the Chaldees, a Sumerian city; thus very different from the Mesopotamian culture. (verse 31) They were traveling to the land of Canaan, but dwelt on the other side of the flood, referring to the Euphrates River (Joshua 24:2-3), at a place called Haran. (Acts 7:2-3)  
• God called Abraham to leave his country and people while still in Mesopotamia. (more detail in tomorrow's post)

What kind of influence are we having on our family, dear one? Do they know about our Father God, Jehovah? Or are passive and not sharing Jesus Christ with them?

LET IT GO

Instead of babbling on, honor God with my words.

Share Jesus with my family. Tell of His wonder deeds.