Read Genesis 11:8-9,  and Genesis 9:1; compare with Genesis 1:28. Why is God’s dispersion redemptive?

God’s design and blessing for humans was that they would “multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1, NKJV; compare with Genesis 1:28, NKJV). Against God’s plan, the builders of Babel preferred to stick together as the same people. One reason they said they wanted to build the city was so that they would not “be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4, NKJV). They refused to move elsewhere, perhaps thinking that together they would be more powerful than they would be separated and scattered. And, in one sense, they were right.

Image © Kim Justinen at Goodsalt.com

Unfortunately, they sought to use their united power for evil, not good. They wanted to “make a name for ourselves,” a powerful reflection of their own arrogance and pride. Indeed, whenever humans, in open defiance of God, want to “make a name” for themselves, we can be sure it won’t turn out well. It never has.

Hence, in a judgment against their outright defiance, God scattered them across “the face of all the earth” (Genesis 11:9), exactly what they didn’t want to happen.

Interestingly enough, the name Babel, which means “door of God,” is related to the verb balal, which means “confuse” (Genesis 11:9). It is because they wanted to reach the “door” of God, because they thought of themselves as God, that they ended up confused and much less powerful than before.

“The men of Babel had determined to establish a government that should be independent of God. There were some among them, however, who feared the Lord, but who had been deceived by the pretensions of the ungodly and drawn into their schemes. For the sake of these faithful ones the Lord delayed His judgments and gave the people time to reveal their true character. As this was developed, the sons of God labored to turn them from their purpose; but the people were fully united in their Heaven-daring undertaking. Had they gone on unchecked, they would have demoralized the world in its infancy. Their confederacy was founded in rebellion; a kingdom established for self-exaltation, but in which God was to have no rule or honor.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 123.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Thursday: The Redemption of the Exile appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/thursday-redemption-of-exile/

Join the Hit the Mark Sabbath School Panel as they have a lively, interactive discussion of the week’s lesson.

Amen!(0)

The post All Nations and Babel – Hit the Mark appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/all-nations-and-babel-hit-the-mark/

Read Genesis 11:5-7 and Psalm 139:7-12. Why did God come down to the earth here? What was the event that motivated this divine reaction?

Ironically, although the men were going up, God had to come down to them. The descent of God is an affirmation of His supremacy. God will always be beyond our human reach. Any human effort to rise up to Him and to meet Him in heaven is useless and ridiculous. No question, that’s why, in order to save us, Jesus came down to us; there was, indeed, no other way for Him to save us.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

A great irony in the Tower of Babel account is seen in God’s statement: “to see the city and the tower” (Genesis 11:5). God did not have to come down to see (Psalm 139:7-12; compare with Psalm 2:4), but He did so anyway. The concept emphasizes God’s involvement with humanity.

Read Luke 1:26-33. What does this teach us about God’s coming down to us?

The descent of God reminds us also of the principle of righteousness by faith and of the process of God’s grace. Whatever work we may perform for God, He will still have to come down to meet with us. It is not what we do for God that will bring us to Him and to redemption. Instead, it is God’s move toward us that will save us. In fact, twice the text in Genesis talks about God going “down,” which seems to imply how much He cared about what was happening there.

According to the text, the Lord wanted to put an end to the people’s deep-seated unity, which — given their fallen state — could lead only to more and more evil. That’s why He chose to confuse their languages, which would bring an end to their united schemes.

“The schemes of the Babel builders ended in shame and defeat. The monument to their pride became the memorial of their folly. Yet men are continually pursuing the same course — depending upon self, and rejecting God’s law. It is the principle that Satan tried to carry out in heaven; the same that governed Cain in presenting his offering.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 123.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Wednesday: “Let Us Go Down” appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/wednesday-let-us-go-down/

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).

Image © Classic Bible Art Goodsalt.com

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–>

Amen!(0)

The post Tuesday: One Language appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/tuesday-one-language/

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.”

Amen!(1)

The post 5: All Nations and Babel – Singing with Inspiration appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/all-nations-and-babel-singing-with-inspiration/