Genesis 11:10-26 By keeping a pure heart, we stay on the path of eternal life
Genesis 11:10-26
These are the records of the generations of Shem. Shem was one hundred years old, and became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood; 11 and Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and he had other sons and daughters.
12 Arpachshad lived thirty-five years, and became the father of Shelah; 13 and Arpachshad lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Shelah, and he had other sons and daughters.
14 Shelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber; 15 and Shelah lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Eber, and he had other sons and daughters.
16 Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg; 17 and Eber lived four hundred and thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and he had other sons and daughters.
18 Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu; 19 and Peleg lived two hundred and nine years after he became the father of Reu, and he had other sons and daughters.
20 Reu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug; 21 and Reu lived two hundred and seven years after he became the father of Serug, and he had other sons and daughters.
22 Serug lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor; 23 and Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and he had other sons and daughters.
24 Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father of Terah; 25 and Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and he had other sons and daughters.
26 Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.
Background
What appears as an account of Shem’s descendants on closer examination reveals God’s sovereign plans to save humanity and to once again unite them under God. This section appears as a transition from the flood to Abraham; it serves as a springboard in leaving behind the unfortunate event of a scattered humanity while looking forward to a united humanity through the faith of Abraham. The narrator, through the clever use of genealogy has positioned this section (Genesis 11:10-26), as a turning point for humanity. Through Abraham, man will learn to live by faith resulting in righteousness and unity (see image below).
In today’s devotion, we see the importance of being watchful of our heart’s desires in an ever scattering society. By keeping a pure heart, we stay on the path of eternal life.
Observation
These are the records of the generations of Shem… Genesis 11:10-17
By recounting the genealogy from Shem to Peleg in this section (Genesis 11:10-17, compare 10:22-25), the narrator reminds readers of God’s intended blessings upon humanity through the lineage of Shem (see Genesis 9:27). At the same, the mention of the flood (Genesis 11:10) underscores the existential sinfulness of humanity that eventually leads to their scattering at Babel.
Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu… Genesis 11:18-26
In continuing with the list of Peleg’s descendants ending with Abram (Genesis 11:18-26), the narrator attempts to conjure within the readers’ minds God’s gracious plans to raise up a holy nation that will eventually unite all nations under God. The scattering of humanity is in fact an interim solution at Babel to prevent the oppression of the people under one man. The scattering inevitably precipitates disunity and escalates wars and conflicts between nations. Eber’s naming of his sons portents this fateful event: Peleg, which means for in his days the earth was divided, and Yoktan bears an Aramaic name meaning “watchful” (Genesis 10:25). However, the scattering of humanity even though a divine resolution is never God’s original intent. In making a connection to Abram through the lineage of Peleg (Genesis 10:18-26), God births hope and vision of a new world order where nations unite themselves under God’s rule.
Truth
By keeping a pure heart, we stay on the path of eternal life.
When God confounded their speech at Babel and in the presence of confusion, it is natural for people to gravitate towards those with similar languages. Similarly, in today’s society, people congregate among those of homogenous backgrounds, interests and mindsets. The names that Eber gives his sons shed light on the attitude one must have in an ever scattering society. That one must be “watchful” as to who he is following lest he ends up in a cul-de-sac. The list of descendants of Yoktan (Peleg’s brother) ends at Jobab as they are scattered at Babel (Genesis 10:27). Whereas Peleg’s descendants (Genesis 11:10-26) opens to the future of salvation with Abraham following the call of God towards the Promised Land. Therefore, believers must be “watchful” as to who they are following and not succumb to their fleshly desires and prideful instincts.
Many follow their heart’s desires, being blinded by greed, they incur great financial losses. Some follow the lust of their flesh, suppose no one will know, they summarily suffer the loss of their career and family. In an ever scattering society, there are multiple routes that seem right, but all lead to death and destruction. However, the route to righteousness and salvation is narrow and often despised. Proverbs warns us be watchful of the desires of our hearts,
Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
Avoid all perverse talk;
stay away from corrupt speech.
Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4:23-27
A person’s desires will determine the course of his life. Having said, we come to know our heart’s desires by listening to the things we say. How can we keep our heart’s desires aright? By constraining our eyes to look at things that are pure and meaningful (look straight ahead), and not at things that distract us from road of eternal life. Therefore, it is important for the believer to read the word daily and saturate himself with the Spirit of truth. In that way, the Spirit sanctifies our heart and make straight our path.
Unity cannot be engineered; it is the manifestation of the Spirit.
The dispersal of humanity results in unbridled nations warring against one another. However, the curse of disunity and estrangement is reversed at the Pentecost when the Spirit replaces the hearts of stone with flesh. Although the Spirit does not reinstate a uniform language, but it causes hearts to unite through the language of truth and love. The root of all misunderstanding and disunity is fear, selfish ambition and falsehood. With the Holy Spirit, love, God-centeredness and truth is restored resulting in unity and harmony.
Many suppose with the right training and clarity in work processes will result in unity for the organisation. However, the real issue is not with communication or clarity of processes but with the fallenness of the heart. Unity cannot be engineered; it is the manifestation of the Spirit resulting in regeneration of the heart. However, regeneration must begin with the leader. In letting the Spirit of truth dictate his every decision and intents of the heart, he will unleash an unstoppable change in the organisation for good. When a leader leads by example, he facilitates change in the people who work closest to him. As his decisions are not motivated by personal gain but by justice and the good of the whole, he sets a precedence, a modus operandi for all to follow.
Application
Are you easily affected by the movements of the collectivity? Do you make decisions based on popular opinion? Experience tells us that the majority are more than often wrong. How then can we be assured of what is right or wrong? By letting the Spirit speak to us through the word. A person who saturates his heart and mind with the word daily will not be scattered by falsehood, fear or by greed. He will see with clarity the way of eternal life and keep himself from stumbling.
Is there incessant in-fighting within your church or community? Disunity is the symptom of an unspiritual leadership whose emphasis on the truth is scanty and superficial. Unity does not arise out of a vacuum. Any church or organisation must unite itself around an immovable reference point – the word of God. Be determined to become a bible reading church and a truth focused community. In doing so, you will see unity and love returning to your community.
Dear Lord, sanctify my heart with your truth and the cleansing power of your Spirit. Help me keep my eyes from going astray and my feet from wandering. I pray that my church and family may become united in the authority of your truth. Use me as a uniting factor and remove the elements that scatter the people from your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.