Energized Planners
Opening Prayer
Pray that God will show you exactly his intended place for you in his plans.
Read Genesis 10:1-32
[1] This is the account of Shem, Ham and Japheth, Noah’s sons, who themselves had sons after the flood. [2]The Japhethites The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek and Tiras. [3] The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah. [4] The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites and the Rodanites. [5] (From these the maritime peoples spread out into their territories by their clans within their nations, each with its own language.) [6]The Hamites The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan. [7] The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah and Sabteka. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. [8] Cush was the father of Nimrod, who became a mighty warrior on the earth. [9] He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; that is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.” [10] The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad and Kalneh, in Shinar. [11] From that land he went to Assyria, where he built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah [12] and Resen, which is between Nineveh and Calah-which is the great city. [13] Egypt was the father of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, [14] Pathrusites, Kasluhites (from whom the Philistines came) and Caphtorites. [15] Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites, [16] Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, [17] Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, [18] Arvadites, Zemarites and Hamathites. Later the Canaanite clans scattered [19] and the borders of Canaan reached from Sidon toward Gerar as far as Gaza, and then toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboyim, as far as Lasha. [20] These are the sons of Ham by their clans and languages, in their territories and nations. [21]The Semites Sons were also born to Shem, whose older brother was Japheth; Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber. [22] The sons of Shem: Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram. [23] The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether and Meshek. [24] Arphaxad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah the father of Eber. [25] Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided; his brother was named Joktan. [26] Joktan was the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, [27] Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, [28] Obal, Abimael, Sheba, [29] Ophir, Havilah and Jobab. All these were sons of Joktan. [30] The region where they lived stretched from Mesha toward Sephar, in the eastern hill country. [31] These are the sons of Shem by their clans and languages, in their territories and nations. [32] These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
From whom are these nations listed here descended?The energetic development of humanity seems unstoppable. The mega-city where I live, Dhaka, is thrusting concrete and tarmac out onto the gentle Bangladesh countryside faster than anyone can control. In this chapter there is a similar trend, as Noah’s descendants reproduce, spread and reinvent themselves after the flood. Some characters receive only a mention while a few such as heroic Nimrod become celebrities. Many aspects of human society do not change with time. In ch. 9, Ham was cursed and even more unfairly, it seems to me, so are his descendants, the Canaanite nation. How can we come to terms with God’s declared intention: that Canaanites should be the slaves of Shem (9:26)? First, of course, if Genesis teaches us anything it is that we should acknowledge almighty God. Unless he chooses to involve us, his purposes are none of our business. Second, it is clear that the consequences of sin are often long-term. God doesn’t want this but it’s inevitable (see Exod. 20:5). Finally, it is good to know that Jesus shows us a more excellent way. In his kingdom, all are part of God’s plan, and the least shall be the greatest.
Apply
Do you have any questions about the rightness and justness of God? If so, tell him, but remember to trust him, too.
Closing prayer
Almighty God, I won’t understand everything You do, but help me to trust in Your ultimate wisdom and goodness.
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