5. All Nations and Babel

Sabbath Afternoon

Prayer Thought

Here they decided to build a city, and in it a tower of such stupendous height as should render it the wonder of the world. These enterprises were designed to prevent the people from scattering abroad in colonies. God had directed men and women to disperse throughout the earth, to replenish and subdue it; but these Babel builders determined to keep their community united in one body, and to found a monarchy that should eventually embrace the whole earth. . . . The magnificent tower, reaching to the heavens, was intended to stand as a monument of the power and wisdom of its builders, perpetuating their fame to the latest generations.—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 117-119. {CTr 68.6}

Memory Text

Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. {Gen. 11:9}

This SS Lesson will show how the descendants of Noah after the flood had degenerated from the truth and suffered the curse. It also depicts the forgetfulness of men to the promises and covenant of God made to Noah (Covenant of Life and Preservation), which resulted in the curse and consequences of wickedness in man.

Outline of the Study

Noah's Descendants

Sunday: The Curse of Ham (The Curse of Canaan)

Gen. 9:18-27; 3:6; 19:5-7, 31-35; Exo. 20:12; Eph. 6:21; Dan. 9:27; Isa. 66:18-20

Monday: The Genesis Genealogy (The History of the Nations)

Gen. 9:28, 29; 5:32; 45:27; Ex. 24:9; Deut. 32:8; Lk. 10:1; Matt. 1:1-17

The Tower of Babel

Tuesday: One Language (The Rebellion)

Gen. 11:1-4; 1:6. 9, 14:1:26; Isa. 63:12, 14; 14:14; Dan. 2:43, 11:43-45; Rev. 16:14-16

Wednesday: Let Us Go Down (God Came Down)

Gen. 11:5-7; Ps. 139:7-12, 2:4; Lk. 1:26-33

Thursday: The Redemption of the Exile (The Dispersion)

Gen. 11:8, 9; 9:1; 1:28

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

Noah's Descendants

Sunday: The Curse of Ham (The Curse of Canaan)

Gen. 9:18-27; 3:6; 19:5-7, 31-35; Exo. 20:12; Eph. 6:21; Dan. 9:27; Isa. 66:18-20

“Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants He shall be to his brethren.” (Genesis 9:25)

Preservation of One Family

To repeople the desolate earth, which the Flood had so lately swept from its moral corruption, God had preserved but one family, the household of Noah, to whom He had declared, “Thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” Yet in the three sons of Noah was speedily developed the same great distinction seen in the world before the Flood. In Shem, Ham, and Japheth, who were to be the founders of the human race, was foreshadowed the character of their posterity. {CTr 68.2}

The Unnatural Crime of Ham

Noah, speaking by divine inspiration, foretold the history of the three great races to spring from these fathers of mankind. Tracing the descendants of Ham, through the son rather than the father, he declared, "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren." The unnatural crime of Ham declared that filial reverence had long before been cast from his soul, and it revealed the impiety and vileness of his character. These evil characteristics were perpetuated in Canaan and his posterity, whose continued guilt called upon them the judgments of God. {PP 117.2}

The Prophetic of Canaan - Descendants of Ham

The posterity of Canaan descended to the most degrading forms of heathenism. Though the prophetic curse had doomed them to slavery, the doom was withheld for centuries. God bore with their impiety and corruption until they passed the limits of divine forbearance. Then they were dispossessed, and became bondmen to the descendants of Shem and Japheth... Thus the vileness and irreverence of Ham were reproduced in his posterity, bringing a curse upon them for many generations. "One sinner destroyeth much good." Ecclesiastes 9:18. {PP 118.2}

Consider the Following

Drunkenness makes us lose self-control (Proverbs 23:31-35). Noah got drunk and undressed in his tent.

Ham saw his father and made fun of him, thus dishonoring him, and breaking the fifth commandment. He also shared it with others. Ham’s son Canaan might’ve been with him in that moment (Genesis 9:22).

The curse of Canaan condemned all the evil practices of his descendants. It also introduced Shem’s seed as the redeemer of all nations (Genesis 9:25-27; 22:18).

Monday: The Genesis Genealogy (The History of the Nations)

Gen. 9:28, 29; 5:32; 45:27; Ex. 24:9; Deut. 32:8; Lk. 10:1; Matt. 1:1-17

“These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations, in their nations; and from these the nations were divided on the earth after the flood.” (Genesis 10:32)

Apostasy Manifested when Noah's Descendants Increased in Numbers

But as Noah's descendants increased in numbers, apostasy manifested itself. Those who desired to cast off the restraint of God's law decided to separate from the worshipers of Jehovah. They determined to keep their community united in one body and to found a monarchy which should eventually embrace the whole earth. In the plain of Shinar they resolved to build a city, and in it a tower that should be the wonder of the world. This tower was to be so high that no flood could rise to the top, so massive that nothing could sweep it away. Thus they hoped to secure their own safety and make themselves independent of God. {8T 213.2}

Intemperance Curse the World

Intemperance has cursed the world almost from its infancy. Noah's son was so debased by the excessive use of wine that he lost all sense of propriety, and the curse which followed his sin has never been lifted from his descendants. {CTBH 28.3}

Consider the Following

Genesis mentions 70 of Noah’s descendants. Each clan settled in different regions. This resulted in 70 different nations on Earth.

All knew about the story of sin and the promised redemption that Noah had shared with them. Adam had told the story to Lamech, and Lamech had shared it with his son Noah.

Unfortunately, few people remained faithful to God.

But among the men of Babel there were living some God-fearing men who had been deceived by the pretensions of the ungodly and drawn into their schemes. These men would not join this confederacy to thwart the purposes of God. They refused to be deceived by the wonderful representations and the grand outlook. For the sake of these faithful ones, the Lord delayed His judgments, and gave the people time to reveal their true character. They heeded not the counsel of the Lord, but carried out their own purposes. The great majority were fully united in their heaven-daring undertaking. Had they been permitted to go on unchecked, they would have demoralized the world by their wonderful plans. {8MR 42.2}

The Tower of Babel

Tuesday: One Language (The Rebellion)

Gen. 11:1-4; 1:6. 9, 14:1:26; Isa. 63:12, 14; 14:14; Dan. 2:43, 11:43-45; Rev. 16:14-16

“Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:4)

Apostatize through Building a City and Tower

Some of the descendants of Noah soon began to apostatize. . . . They journeyed a distance . . . and selected a large plain wherein to dwell. There they built a city, and then conceived the idea of erecting a large tower to reach unto the clouds, that they might dwell together in the city and tower, and be no more scattered. They reasoned that they would secure themselves in case of another flood, for they would build their tower to a much greater height than the waters prevailed in the time of the Flood, and all the world would honor them. . . . Before the work of building was accomplished, people dwelt in the tower. Rooms gorgeously furnished and decorated were devoted to their idols. . . ..—Signs of the Times, Mar. 20, 1879. {CTr 69.2}

Monument of Human Power and Wisdom

Here they decided to build a city, and in it a tower of such stupendous height as should render it the wonder of the world. These enterprises were designed to prevent the people from scattering abroad in colonies. God had directed men and women to disperse throughout the earth, to replenish and subdue it; but these Babel builders determined to keep their community united in one body, and to found a monarchy that should eventually embrace the whole earth. . . . The magnificent tower, reaching to the heavens, was intended to stand as a monument of the power and wisdom of its builders, perpetuating their fame to the latest generations.—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 117-119. {CTr 68.6}

Building the Tower of Creeds/Doctrines of Men

In the professedly Christian world many turn away from the plain teachings of the Bible and build up a creed from human speculations and pleasing fables, and they point to their tower as a way to climb up to heaven. People hang with admiration upon the lips of eloquence while it teaches that the transgressor shall not die, that salvation may be secured without obedience to the law of God. If the professed followers of Christ would accept God’s standard, it would bring them into unity; but so long as human wisdom is exalted above His Holy Word, there will be divisions and dissension. {CTr 70.4}

Consider the Following

The gathering at Babel was an open rebellion against God.

Babylon represents every movement that tries to replace God, encouraged by Satan and his philosophy (Isaiah 14:14; Revelation 18:2).

The existing confusion of conflicting creeds and sects is fitly represented by the term “Babylon,” which prophecy applies to the world-loving churches of the last days. Many seek to make a heaven for themselves by obtaining riches and power. They “speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily,” trampling upon human rights and disregarding divine authority. The proud may be for a time in great power, and may see success in all that they undertake, but in the end they will find only disappointment and wretchedness. {CTr 70.5}

Wednesday: Let Us Go Down (God Came Down)

Gen. 11:5-7; Ps. 139:7-12, 2:4; Lk. 1:26-33

“But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.” (Genesis 11:5)

Confounded the Language of the Builders

God bears long with the perversity of human beings, giving them ample opportunity for repentance, but He marks all their devices to resist the authority of His just and holy law. As an evidence of His displeasure over the building of this tower, He confounded the language of the builders, so that none could understand the words of fellow workers.—Manuscript 94, 1903 (Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, pp. 42, 43). {CTr 69.6}

Lesson to Learn: Builders are Only Men

"And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower [the great idol-building], which the children of men builded." Angels were sent to bring to naught the purposes of the builders. {RH, December 10, 1903 par. 6}

The tower had reached a lofty height, and it was impossible for the workmen at the top to communicate directly with those at the base; therefore men were stationed at different points, each to receive and report to the one next below him the orders for needed material, or other directions regarding the work. As messages were thus passing from one to another, the language was confounded, so that material was called for which was not needed, and the directions received were often the reverse of those that had been given. Confusion and dismay followed. All work came to a standstill. There could be no further harmony or co-operation. The builders were wholly unable to account for the strange misunderstandings among them, and in their rage and disappointment they reproached one another. Their confederacy ended in strife and bloodshed. Lightnings from heaven broke off the upper portion of the tower, and cast it to the ground. Men were made to feel that there is a God who ruleth in the heavens, and that he is able to confuse and to multiply confusions in order to teach men that they are only men. {RH, December 10, 1903 par. 7}

Consider the Following

God didn’t wait for humankind to reach Him (something impossible, actually). He came down.

God came down before the rebellion went too far. He prevented humans from destroying themselves again (Genesis 7-8).

In the same manner, God came down “when the fullness of the time had come” (Galatians 4:4) as Jesus to free us from destruction and to give us eternal life.

We cannot get to God by ourselves, so He comes down by His grace.

Thursday: The Redemption of the Exile (The Dispersion)

Gen. 11:8, 9; 9:1; 1:28

“Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.” (Genesis 11:9)

Self-exaltation Banishing Righteousness and Inaugurating New Religion

The dwellers on the plain of Shinar established their kingdom for self-exaltation, not for the glory of God. Had they succeeded, a mighty power would have borne sway, banishing righteousness and inaugurating a new religion. The world would have been demoralized. . . . But God never leaves the world without witnesses for Him. At this time there were men who humbled themselves before God and cried unto Him. "O God," they pleaded, "interpose between Thy cause, and the plans and methods of men." {CC 43.2}

Dispersion, not Colonization that Prevents the Lord's Purpose

Up to this time all men had spoken the same language; now those that could understand one another's speech united in companies; some went one way, and some another. "The Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth." This dispersion was the means of peopling the earth, and thus the Lord's purpose was accomplished through the very means that men had employed to prevent its fulfillment. {CC 43.5}

In our day the Lord desires that His people shall be dispersed throughout the earth. They are not to colonize. Jesus said: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). {CC 43.6}

Consider the Following

Humans tried to build a gate to the throne of God to usurp it, but it became a place of confusion [“Babel” stands for “gate of God” in Akkadian, and it’s similar to the Hebrew verb “to confuse”].

When humans left the ark, they were ordered to fill the earth (Genesis 9:1), but they refused to do so. After Babel they were forced to fulfill the order.

Most of them still rejected God, worshipped idols, and became depraved.

However, a remnant remained faithful and kept worshipping God (Genesis 11:27). God also has a faithful remnant today

Friday: Further Study and Meditation

Of special value to God's church on earth today--the keepers of His vineyard--are the messages of counsel and admonition given through the prophets who have made plain His eternal purpose in behalf of mankind. In the teachings of the prophets, His love for the lost race and His plan for their salvation are clearly revealed. The story of Israel's call, of their successes and failures, of their restoration to divine favor, of their rejection of the Master of the vineyard, and of the carrying out of the plan of the ages by a goodly remnant to whom are to be fulfilled all the covenant promises--this has been the theme of God's messengers to His church throughout the centuries that have passed. And today God's message to His church--to those who are occupying His vineyard as faithful husbandmen--is none other than that spoken through the prophet of old:

"Sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day." Isaiah 27:2, 3. {PK 22.1}

Let Israel hope in God. The Master of the vineyard is even now gathering from among men of all nations and peoples the precious fruits for which He has long been waiting. Soon He will come unto His own; and in that glad day His eternal purpose for the house of Israel will finally be fulfilled. "He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit." Verse 6. {PK 22.2}

Questions to Ponder

1. What lesson could we learn from the curse of Ham?

2. Why did Ham's actions (Gen. 9:22) result in a curse which it turned out to be a blessing in disguise to the future of Israel?

3. Why it is so significant to record the genealogy in the Bible? (See. Luke 3:23-38)

4. Based on our Tuesday’s lesson, what is the main issue of the descendants of Noah, during the building of a city and a tower? Why it is so important for them?

5. People during the building of a city and a tower wanted to reach heaven, but then God get down to confound their language, for what purpose?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“In mercy to the world, He defeated the purpose of the tower builders and overthrew the memorial of their daring. In mercy He confounded their speech, thus putting a check on their purposes of rebellion. God bears long with the perversity of men, giving them ample opportunity for repentance; but He marks all their devices to resist the authority of His just and holy law. From time to time, the unseen hand that holds the scepter of government is stretched out to restrain iniquity. Unmistakable evidence is given that the Creator of the universe, the One infinite in wisdom and love and truth, is the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth and that none can with impunity defy His power.” E. G. W. (Patriarchs and Prophets, cp. 10, p. 123)

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