Read Genesis 11:1-4. Why were the people of “the whole earth” so keen to achieve unity?

The phrase “the whole earth” refers to a small number of people, those alive after the Flood. The reason for this gathering is clearly indicated: they want to build a tower to reach the heavens (Genesis 11:4).

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In fact, their real intention is to take the place of God Himself, the Creator. Significantly, the description of the people’s intentions and actions echo God’s intentions and actions in the Creation account: “they said” (Genesis 11:3-4; compare with Genesis 1:6, Genesis 1:9, Genesis 1:14, etc.); “let us make” (Genesis 11:3-4; compare with Genesis 1:26). Their intention is explicitly stated: “Let us make a name for ourselves” (Genesis 11:4, NKJV), an expression that is exclusively used for God (Isaiah 63:12, Isaiah 63:14).

In short, the builders of Babel entertained the misplaced ambition to replace God, the Creator. (We know who inspired that, don’t we? See Isaiah 14:14.) The memory of the Flood surely must have played a role in their project. They built a high tower in order to survive another flood, were another to come, despite God’s promise. The memory of the Flood has been preserved in Babylonian tradition, albeit distorted, in connection with the construction of the city of Babel (Babylon). This upward effort to reach heaven and usurp God will, indeed, characterize the spirit of Babylon.

This is why the story of the Tower of Babel is such an important motif in the book of Daniel, as well. The reference to Shinar, which introduces the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:2), reappears in the beginning of the book of Daniel, in order to designate the place where Nebuchadnezzar has brought the articles of the temple of Jerusalem (Daniel 1:2). Among many other passages of the book, the episode of Nebuchadnezzar’s erecting the golden statue, probably on the same place in the same “plain,” is the most illustrative of this frame of mind. In his visions of the end, Daniel sees the same scenario of the nations of the earth gathering together to achieve unity against God (Daniel 2:43, Daniel 11:43-45; compare with Revelation 16:14-16), though this attempt fails here, as it did with Babel, as well.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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The book of Genesis offers us so many and vast topics from which to choose a theme hymn. As we are starting at the very beginning, I would like to give praise to our Creator of heaven and earth in singing 
Hymn 320 – Lord of Creation and 
Hymn 2 – All Creatures of Our God and King. The stories that follow creation will lean back towards our amazing God and what He has done for each of us in creation.

Just as Abraham had the promise of God’s blessings, it was anticipated this blessing would go to all nations (Genesis 12:3), so we wish to share the love of God and “tell it to every kindred and nation” in 
Hymn 202 – Hail Him the King of Glory (verse 1). Sabbath afternoon’s introduction goes on to tell of how God scattered the people over the earth (Genesis 11:8). We sing of this in 
Hymn 447 – Long Upon the Mountains (verse 1).

The curse of Ham will, in fact, be a blessing for all nations who may “bow in sacred joy”: 
Hymn 82 – Before Jehovah’s Awful Throne (verse 1). These descendants were able to accept the salvation offered them by the Lord, just as we are able to do today. We will 
Praise The Lord! – Hymn 26 (verse 2), “the God of our salvation!”

On Tuesday, we return to 
Hymn 26 – Praise the Lord! You Heavens Adore Him as we see the wonderful promise of God to never flood the earth again, just as we sing “Never shall His promise fail”. 
Hymn 31 – Tell out My Soul confirms how “firm is His promise”.

On Wednesday we read of Babel being built up into the Heavens, but Jesus came down to us, to save us: 
Hymn 134 – O Jesus Sweet (verse 2), 
Hymn 149 – Once in Royal David’s City (verse 2), 
Hymn 180 – O Listen to Our Wondrous Story and 
Hymn 417 – O Solemn Thought (verse 2).

As the people were scattered across the face of this old world, we are now like 
Watchmen, on the Walls of Zion – Hymn 601 waiting for the Lord’s “redemption draweth nigh”.

God’s abundant blessings as we study through the first book of the Bible which our gracious God has given. May we be faithful and all say “Come, Lord Jesus, come – very soon” so we are able to go to our new home in Heaven, as 
We Have This Hope – Hymn 214.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing, but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Key Thought: The curse of Ham and the curse of the confused nations at the tower of Babel will eventually be turned into a blessing for the nations.
April 30, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 9:18-27.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What message do you see in this story for us today?
3. Personal Application: What does Noah getting drunk tell us about how flawed humans really are and why we need God’s grace at all times in our lives? Share your thoughts..
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why is there so much emphasis on genealogy in the Bible? Is there a reason for this?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Genesis 11:1-4.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Why were the people of earth so keen to achieve unity?
3. Personal Application: Do you see more unity among people outside the church or inside the church? Does unity involve compromise? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why do people always try to twist the words of God to fit their ideas and lifestyle? When people are faced with pure truth and facts from the Bible, they say that it doesn’t apply to us today or its not relevant. Instead of adjusting to the Bible, they try to fit the Bible to them, or they ignore it altogether.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Genesis 1:5-7 ; Psalm 139:7-12..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. Why did God come down to the earth here? What event motivated His reaction?
3. Personal Application: In what ways do people make a towel of Babel today in trying to bring honor and glory to themselves? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “I wonder if God is concerned with our scientists cloning life in the laboratory, seeking to make life and alter genetic material, trying to manipulate the weather, and promoting ideas of life as evolutionary rather than created? Where does He draw the line to “come down” and do something about it?” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Genesis 11:8,9 ; 9:1..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How is God’s act of dispersing the people a redemptive one?
3. Personal Application: Why must we be careful in making a name for ourselves? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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The chronological information about Noah’s age makes us realize that Noah serves as a link between the pre-Flood and the post-Flood civilizations. The last two verses of the preceding story (Genesis 9:28-29) take us back to the last link of the genealogy of Adam (Genesis 5:32). Because Adam died when Lamech, Noah’s father, was 56 years old, Noah must surely have heard stories about Adam, which he could have transmitted to his descendants before and after the Flood.

Read Genesis 10:1-32. What is the purpose of this genealogy in the Bible? (See also Luke 3:23-38.)

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The biblical genealogy has three functions. First, it emphasizes the historical nature of the biblical events, which are related to real people who lived and died and whose days are precisely numbered. Second, it demonstrates the continuity from antiquity to the contemporary time of the writer, establishing a clear link with the past to the “present.” Third, it reminds us of human fragility and of the tragic effect of sin’s curse and its deadly results on all the generations that have followed.

Note that the classification of “Hamite,” “Semite,” and “Japhethite” does not follow clear criteria. The 70 nations foreshadow the 70 members of the family of Jacob (Genesis 46:27) and the 70 elders of Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 24:9). The idea of a correspondence between the 70 nations and the 70 elders suggests the mission of Israel toward the nations: “When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel” (Deuteronomy 32:8, NKJV). Along the same line, Jesus sends 70 disciples to evangelize (Luke 10:1).

What this information shows us is the direct link between Adam and the patriarchs; they all are historical figures, real people from Adam onward. This also helps us understand that the patriarchs had direct access to witnesses who had personal memories of these ancient events.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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Read Genesis 9:18-27. What is the message of this strange story?

Noah’s act in his vineyard echoes Adam in the Garden of Eden. The two stories contain common motifs: eating of the fruit and resulting in nakedness; then a covering, a curse, and a blessing. Noah reconnects to his Adamic roots and, unfortunately, continues that failed history.

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The fermentation of fruit was not a part of God’s original creation. Noah indulged, then lost self-control and uncovered himself. The fact that Ham “saw” his nakedness hints at Eve, who also “saw” the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:6). This parallel suggests that Ham did not just “see” furtively, by accident, his father’s nakedness. He went around and talked about it, without even trying to take care of his father’s problem. In contrast, his brothers’ immediate reaction to cover their father, while Ham left him naked, implicitly denounced Ham’s actions.

The issue at stake here is more about the respect of one’s parents. Failure to honor your parents, who represent your past, will affect your future (Exodus 20:12; compare with Ephesians 6:2). Hence the curse, which will influence Ham’s future and that of his son Canaan.

Of course, it is a gross theological mistake and an ethical crime to use this text to justify racist theories against anyone. The prophecy is strictly restricted to Canaan, Ham’s son. The biblical author has in mind some of the corrupt practices of the Canaanites (Genesis 19:5-7, Genesis 19:31-35).

In addition, the curse contains a promise of blessing, playing on the name “Canaan,” which is derived from the verb kana‘, meaning “subdue.” It is through subduing of Canaan that God’s people, the descendants of Shem, will enter the Promised Land and prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah, who will enlarge Japheth “in the tents of Shem” (Genesis 9:27). This is a prophetic allusion to the expansion of God’s covenant to all nations, which will embrace Israel’s message of salvation to the world (Daniel 9:27, Isaiah 66:18-20, Romans 11:25). The curse of Ham will, in fact, be a blessing for all nations, including whichever descendants of Ham and Canaan accept the salvation offered them by the Lord.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

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