Genesis 10

“These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their family records, in their nations. The nations on earth spread out from these after the flood.” Genesis 10:32

I have friends who are really into genealogy. They spend countless hours online researching their family trees. Perhaps it can be attributed to the breakdown of the family in America, but a whole culture of these types has developed. I suppose we would all like to believe we are related to someone famous. Maybe it gives us hope that some of the old “magic” for success may still be in our DNA.

I once heard a preacher say he traced his family tree back to a lying nomad and a drunken sailor: Abraham & Noah!

The Bible says Noah was a RIGHTEOUS man, but let’s not forget that, at his core, he was a righteous MAN. That means he was by no means perfect, but like Abraham, Noah was considered righteous because he believed in God BY FAITH. Point to consider: The Bible says nothing of the righteousness of Noah’s wife or his sons and their wives. Only Noah is singled out as righteous.

At the end of chapter 9, we see Noah’s flaws, warts & all, because he is found to be drunk & naked…a sailor to the end: Go Navy! One redeeming note is that two of his sons seemed to have learned to honor the Lord (and their father) through the flood experience.

Chapter 10 sets up the story of worship after the ark. It is hauntingly reminiscent of Israel, one generation after entering the Promised Land, the generation after Joshua, who did not know God. How quickly we forget.

For me, the takeaway is the profound similarity of origins we share with all other people on earth. Perhaps, the most profound is the similarity between our sin and our collective need for salvation. Tomorrow, we will read what happens when men, apart from God, decide to unite, work, and worship together. Did I mention “Apart from God”?

These are pertinent chapters because the cry is still going out from the World for nations to unite. I have nothing against unity, but if the nucleus of that unity is anything other than Messiah Jesus, those unifying efforts are destined to fail. Sure, the nations have a strong unifying factor: Our sin. And their unity may appear to have positive consequences for a season. But the only One who can restore everlasting unity is Jesus.