Week 5: Genesis 11:1-9

Week 5: Genesis 11:1-9

At A Glance:

Author: Moses or J

Form: Ancient Origin Story

Themes: The growing pride of peoples.  Rebellion against God’s command to scatter.  God’s intervention and punishment of rebellion.

Summary:  These 9 verses mark the transition from the Noah & Sons epic to the Abraham epic.  It delineates how once more humanity rebelled against God and sought to create a name for themselves rather than following the command to scatter across the earth and subdue it.  The rebellion gathers in one city founded by Nimrod (the instigator of the rebellion according to the Josephus tradition).  They erect a tower for themselves to mark their own glory separated from God.  God seeing their actions confuses their speech which forces them to scatter as he had originally commanded.

Commentary:

11:1-9 – Many scholars attribute this story to the J source.  It is placed at some point during the years in which Nimrod and Peleg lived.  The reference in Gn 10:25 could be an allusion to the idea that during his life the Lord divided the languages from the rebellion at the Tower of Babel. 

11:2 – Considering the map from my previous post you can see that Shinar is where the kingdom of Babylon will arise.  We know from 10:8-12 that Nimrod founded this kingdom and according to Josephus it was Nimrod that instigated this rebellion and called people to depart from God’s plan and unite in a single massive city. 

11:3-4 – Twice the rebels say “come let us” God will use this very language in his response to their rebellion.  They desired to make themselves famous by making a name for themselves through building of this enormous tower showing that ultimately their sin comes from pride (the love of oneself over God which is also self-idolatry).  There is also an additional play on words here.  They desire to make a “name” for themselves  the descendants of Ham were to be under the authority of Shem whose name literally translates to “name” in Hebrew.  Additionally God will make the connection to making a name in Abraham when he promises that he “will make your name great” 12:5. 

11:5 – It is curious that in the midst of rebellion God seems to be close even though those rebelling against him do not recognize him and repent.   This occurred in Gen 3 when God came to visit Adam in the garden and in 6 when God came down to see the limits of the depravity of man. 

11:6 – “nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them”  Some readers interpret this sentence as if God is afraid of the creative power of humanity, but this interpretation does not fit the theme of the rest of the text well.  God has been shown thus far with supreme sovereignty over all and supreme power of creation and destruction.  God also has been shown to show great mercy.  This verse is better understood as a verse of mercy.  If man is allowed to continue to do anything without limits he will surely destroy himself as he began to in the days before the great flood. 

11:7-8 – Rather than destroying them for their prideful rebellion God confused their language and scattered them across the earth.

11:9 – This verse gives the origin of why the city is called Babylon. 

Final thoughts:

            This story shows our great need for closeness to God and his revelation to us.  During the years after the flood as the earth began to be repopulated there was no further revelation from God other than the tradition handed down from Noah and his sons.  This caused their faith to waver given humanities evil inclinations.  They may have believed on some level, but they lived as if there was no God. 

            This is one of the primary reasons why I endeavor in completing this immense Bible Study.  Many of us believe with our lips but live our lives as if there is no God.  Like the rebellion at Babylon we are content to hold onto our own powers to find our true happiness rather than relying on God.  Do not misunderstand as if I am instructing you.  I am instructing myself as much as anyone else.  Diving into God’s word at this depth is not an easy undertaking, but it forces me to be consumed by God’s revelation.  I’m surrounded by commentaries, translations, and prayers through the scriptures reminding me that in God is where I am most fulfilled and apart from him I am less myself.  I struggle daily to follow God’s will over my own and separated from the accountability of this Online Bible Study I could easily put aside my studies for more leisurely weekends.  I find that the more I separate myself from God’s revelation the easier I fall into sin.  I believe but when I am not surrounded by God’s revelation my words and deeds resemble someone who lives as if there is no God. 

            “Hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours” 2 Thes 2:15. It is in God’s self-revelation where we find out who we really are and his plan for us.  Uniting our will with his we can build a lasting, full, and joy-filled life for “Unless the LORD build the house, they labor in vain who build” Ps 127:1.

Please feel free to share your additional thoughts and insights on this passage…