Scattered: God's Plan for the Nations - Genesis 9:18-11:9

What is the Delight in the Word Blog Series?

Just as the title says, it is a weekly blog post that shares further reflections from the weekly sermon. It is here each week, where you can find a brief summary of the sermon, resources, and reflection questions to continue to meditate on the truths of Scripture from the sermon.

Scattered: God’s Plan for the Nations - Genesis 9:18 - 11:19 

We are currently in a sermon series called Origins looking at the first eleven chapters of Genesis. The first eleven chapters of Genesis lay the foundation for some of most critical truths for life with God and in His world. It shows us how God designed marriage, work, identity and humanity to name a few. It also shows us the reality of the world we live in that is marred by sin and brokenness but it doesn't leave us there. It demonstrates God’s redemptive plan as it is promised and unfolding

This week the sermon took a in depth look at God’s plan for the Nations through the family of Noah. What unfolds in Genesis 9:18-11:9 is both the story of the drama of Noah’s family and how through his family families became nations and spread out over the whole earth. This account of Noah’s family sets the stage for the rest of the Bible and God’s plan for redemption.

The Shame of Sin - Genesis 9:18-27

In the first section of Scripture in the sermon, we see the shame of sin through the uncovering of Noah’s nakedness by his son. The problem is both what he didn’t do when he saw his father’s nakedness but also what he did after seeing it. He dishonors his father and further exposes his nakedness by telling his brothers. Our sin (as Ham’s does) leads to shame because we have dishonored and disconnected ourselves from God. We can respond to our sin in one of two ways:

  • Hide - We either hide our sin from God and others because we dont want anyone to know the true condition of our heart.

  • Celebrate - We celebrate our sin and help others do the same because we dont want anyone to know the true condition of our heart.

Where do we see God’s redemptive plan in this? We see that God provided Shem and Japheth, Ham’s brothers, to cover the nakedness of their father and be a reflection and foreshadowing of what Jesus does in the face of our sin. He doesn't leave us in the shameful uncovering of sin but chooses by his grace to cover us, restore our honor, and bring us into his family forever.

The Diversity of Nations - Genesis 10:1-32

This section in the sermon, shows what God is doing with the nations of the world. The table of Nations is the earliest and most significant ethnographical record we have. Genesis 10:1 tells us that this is the family record of Noah’s three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Genesis 9:19 tells us that through these three sons “the whole earth was populated.” Diversity grounded in unity. Historically, this shows us that we are all from the same line and family. Theologically, it shows us that all nations share the same origin which means that we are all made in the image of God. Any time we lose this truth—human diversity is grounded in our historical and theological unity—it leads to racism, ethnocentrism, and xenophobia. Diversity grounded in unity.

The Delusion of Pride - Genesis 11:1-9

This section of Scripture holds one of the most famous stories of the Bible the tower of Babel. It is here that we see the delusion of pride on display. God commanded the people to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” In direct disobedience to God, “…they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” . Instead of making God’s name great by filling the earth with worshippers, they choose to make their name great. Thankfully, God in his grace restrained their sin and still brought about His redemptive plan. It is in the confusion of languages that we see God’s grace and unfolding redemption. God takes the effects of our sin and transforms them for the praise of His glory.

In summary, God has a plan for the nations, it is to cover their shame, be glorified in their diversity as it is grounded in unity, and to work through their sin, individual and corporate, to bring about His purposes. God’s plan of redemption can never be thwarted.

Revelation 5:9–10

[9] And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation,

[10] and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,

and they shall reign on the earth.” (ESV)

Resources

Article - Forsake your Fig Leaves - Edward Mwansia

Podcasts

Book - Talking About Race by Isaac Adams

Reflection Questions

  • How does Jesus’ covering of our sin give us a new way to deal with sin, instead of hiding or celebrating it?

  • How does the truth that we are all from the same family and all made in the image of God change your daily interactions with those around you?

  • How can we trust God’s good rule over us instead of seeking our own way in pride?

Delight in the WordAlyssa Poole