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2. Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion
Cherished
Bible
Stories
Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

3. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
At least 101 years have passed since the flood Gen 11: :25
The actions of Noah’s descendants in this story depict something good & bad
Good Ù The “strength of unity”
Bad Ù Disregard for a command of God

4. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
The people’s description v. 1
The whole earth “used the same language and the same words”
The people’s actions vv. 2-4
They settle in a plain in Shinar v. 2
They decide to “bake bricks” and use tar for
COMMUNICATION
mortar v. 3

5. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
The people’s actions vv. 2-4
Utilizing these new “skills,” they made known their plans v. 4
They wanted to build a city
Especially, they wanted to erect a tower that reached to the heavens to “make a name for themselves” & to keep them from scattering

6. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
The people’s actions vv. 2-4
This appeared to be an “attitude” of pride and a “desire” for fame and notoriety
Never portrayed positively in the Scripture Prov 6: :18 Jas 4:6 1 Pet 5:5-6
God’s people shouldn’t have such an “ambition” 1 Thess 4: Tim 2:2-3

7. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
The people’s actions vv. 2-4
Besides being an unhealthy “attitude,” the people’s actions were contrary to previous commands of God 1:28 9:1
It would be hard (impossible) for them to “multiply & replenish the earth” if they were all located in Shinar

8. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
He “came down” to the building site v. 5
He was not “unaware” of their activities Psa 139: Heb 4:13
His coming down was like His actions in 3:8
It was for a “judicial review” and to thwart man’s actions that were contrary to His will

9. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
He “came down” to the building site v. 5
He could have acted in the same way from His throne
The fact that He “came down” shows just how serious He viewed the situation

10. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
He recognized their “potential” v. 6
He saw them as “one people”
He knew they “spoke the same language”
He knew that “…nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them”
This is the “STRENGTH OF UNITY”

11. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
Understanding v. 6 provides insight into some important N.T. teaching re: unity
Jesus prayed for all who would believe in Him through the apostles’ testimony to be unified, or “be one” Jn 17:21

12. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
Understanding v. 6 provides insight into some important N.T. teaching re: unity
In rebuking Corinth’s divisiveness, Paul commanded they be “joined together” and “speak the same thing” 1 Cor 1:10

13. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
Understanding v. 6 provides insight into some important N.T. teaching re: unity
Paul also exhorted the Philippian Christians to be “like-minded” & to “be of one accord” Phil 2:1-2

14. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
Understanding v. 6 provides insight into some important N.T. teaching re: unity
A high premium is placed upon UNITY
Even though what the people of Gen 11 were doing was not pleasing to God, it still must be admitted what God recognized…

15. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
Understanding v. 6 provides insight into some important N.T. teaching re: unity
…when people unite behind a common cause, there is nothing they cannot accomplish

16. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
God “confused their language” v. 7
He thwarted their ability to use the same language Ù to COMMUNICATE
Once they could no longer effectively communicate, the building project would naturally stop

17. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
God “scattered” them abroad v. 8a
Actions that harmonized with 1:28 & 9:1
LESSON: When the word of God is given on a certain matter, we must recognize its certainty…whatever has been said will be accomplished cp. Isa 55:8-11

18. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
God “scattered” them abroad v. 8a
APPLICATION: Consider Rom 14:10b-12
One great day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Christ as Lord (a “certainty”)

19. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
God “scattered” them abroad v. 8a
APPLICATION: Consider Rom 14:10b-12
Unbelievers may live their entire lives in opposition to God, His will
But, they will not escape this day
They, too, will bow the knee & confess

20. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
God “scattered” them abroad v. 8a
APPLICATION: Consider Rom 14:10b-12
What a tragic & eternal shame to be made to do something that will not benefit them!!
All need to bow the knee & confess NOW while such actions will do us good

21. The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
Cherished Bible Stories
Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion
The Story Of The Scattering Gen 11
God’s response v. 5-8
The building project was stopped v. 8b
Once men began scattering, the building of the city (and tower) could not continue
The place was named “Babel” v. 9
“Confuse” because of the confounding of
man’s tongues

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