Genisis chapters 11-14

I find the chronological order of Genesis a bit confusing this morning. It really likes to sum up time frames with the table of nations, with the seven day creation, and then afterwards jumps back a bit, or well it must be anyways. The tower of Babel occurs in chapter 11. To me it seems kinda tossed in to be honest. Nothing leads up to it, it doesn't name anyone previously talked about to date when the tower of Babel began to be erected. It actually begins with the phrase "Now the whole world had one language and a common speech" (Genesis 11:1a.) Yet when we look back to chapter 10 verse 5 "From these the maritime peoples spread out into their territories by their clans within their nations, each with its own language." If each had their own language then the tower of Babel must of occurred before the sons of Javan settled in other areas, actually probably even before Noah's sons began to create other territories and they all must have been together in one place. To me chapter 11 verses 1-9 should almost be switched with chapter 10. That would make more sense. Just a little confused is all. Onward to the rest.

Now the tower of Babel has some good lessons within it. Here we have the collective knowledge, skill and vision of the entire human race working together. Can you imagine that? Everyone working together sharing skills and knowledge. Yet with it we still reverted back to the same as Adam and Eve. They wanted more. They decided that it would be good for them to make a tower to reach the heavens. They wanted to make a name for themselves. They were smart; they knew that stacked stones were unstable but if they make bricks of the same size and used mortar that the tower would hold up. I wonder upon why they thought this was a good idea still. As I look back into the passage a phrase pops out at me. "So that we ma make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth" (Gen 11:4b.) Why would they be worrying, before creating the tower, about being dispersed around the earth? I wonder if they were having unity problems and people were wondering off, or quarrels and people being thrown out or something different all together. But this was a fear that they had. This is part of the reason for building the tower. Ironically, it is the consequences for their actions as well. I think part of the problem may have arrived with them not looking towards God for understanding and unity, but that they decided to handle it themselves and reach God by their own means.

After the tower of Babel we again are brought to names and who had whos and the sorts. Fun stuff. Looking at the dates I remembered back at the begining of the flood that God was going to number our years to 120. I don't see that in the beginning of Gen 11:10-24. Humans are still living hundreds of years. Yet you see the years fall drastically. In verse 25 though we finally see someone living only to be 119. I think sometimes when we hear God say something we expect it to be immediate. With this we are often dissapointed because it often is not immediate. For us to change it's usually a process, for others it is also a process. If we don't see our prayers answer right away we sometimes get disappointed. Yet we need to hold to hope and remember that God has His timing to strengthen us and to do what is best for us. Be patient for the answering of prayers, which is very hard for people like me.

In Chapter 12 is the call for Abram to get up and go. I have wrote on this subject many times and feel that this is something God has called for me recently. With God on your side it is not something to worry about honestly, even though I do so often. In verses 2-3 God tells Abram that he will bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him. That is a very powerful protection in my mind. Abram is quit lucky to have God tell him that, right? Doesn't God promise to protect us as well? Doesn't He bless those who bless others still? Aren't we lucky that God protects us and has promised us!


In chapter 13 we again have querells over land and supplies. This caused Lot and Abram to split their groups up. They were so blessed that they needed more room and that was a good problem to have. In Chapter 14 it talks about a war that happend between some kings. Many armies would have clashed together. Through it Lot was taken. Abram assembled a whole 318 men to get Lot back. 318 against a king with armies and allies! Who won? Abram of course. Just shows the power that God has and protection that Abram was given.