The Version Of Christ

The Nations Descend from Noah

After the flood, Noah's descendants began to fill the earth. From the sons of Noah Shem, Ham, and Japheth came the nations, each spreading across their lands with their languages and cultures. Japheth's descendants settled in the distant coastlands; Ham's line brought forth great cities like Egypt and Babylon, but also the cursed line of Canaan; and from Shem, the line of promise, arose nations that would play a central role in God's plan (Genesis 10:1-32).

As the generations multiplied, the earth became a patchwork of peoples and tongues. Yet, humanity's unity in purpose and rebellion was far from over.

The Tower of Babel

In a plain in the land of Shinar, humanity resolved to make a name for itself. "Come, let us build a city and a tower whose top reaches the heavens," they said, desiring to unify under their own strength and defy the command to spread across the earth (Genesis 11:1-4).

The Lord looked upon their work and said, "Behold, they are one people with one language, and nothing will be impossible for them." So, God came down and confused their language, scattering them over the face of the earth. The tower was left unfinished, and the place was called Babel, for it was there that the Lord confused the language of all the earth (Genesis 11:5-9).

This marked the beginning of nations but also a fracture in human unity a sobering reminder of the consequences of pride.

The Call of Abram

Among the scattered peoples, God chose a man named Abram, a descendant of Shem, living in Haran. "Go from your country, your people, and your father's household to the land I will show you," God commanded. "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. Through you, all the families of the earth will be blessed" (Genesis 12:1-3).

In faith, Abram obeyed. He journeyed to Canaan with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and their possessions. Upon arriving, God promised, "To your offspring, I will give this land." Abram built an altar to the Lord and continued to worship Him as he journeyed through the land (Genesis 12:4-9).

Yet, Abram's faith was tested. A famine drove him to Egypt, where fear led him to deceive Pharaoh by claiming Sarai was his sister. Though Pharaoh discovered the truth, God protected Abram, and they left Egypt with great wealth (Genesis 12:10-20).

Abram and Lot Part Ways

Abram's and Lot's flocks grew so large that the land could no longer sustain them together. Strife arose between their herdsmen. Abram, seeking peace, said, "Let there be no quarreling between us. If you take the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left" (Genesis 13:8-9).

Lot chose the fertile plains of the Jordan, settling near the city of Sodom, while Abram remained in Canaan. God reaffirmed His promise to Abram, saying, "Lift your eyes and look from the place where you are. All the land you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever" (Genesis 13:14-17).

Abram Rescues Lot

When war broke out among the kings of the region, Sodom and its allies were defeated, and Lot was taken captive. Abram, hearing of his nephew's plight, rallied 318 trained men from his household and pursued the captors. With God's help, he defeated them and rescued Lot, along with the people and goods of Sodom (Genesis 14:1-16).

On his return, Abram met Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who blessed him, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth." In gratitude, Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:17-20).

God's Covenant with Abram

One night, God appeared to Abram in a vision. "Do not fear, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great." Abram, childless, asked, "What can You give me since I remain without an heir?" (Genesis 15:1-2).

God took Abram outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. So shall your offspring be." Abram believed the Lord, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:5-6).

God then sealed His covenant with Abram. Through a solemn ritual, God passed as a smoking firepot and a blazing torch between pieces of sacrificed animals, symbolizing His unbreakable promise to give Abram's descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 15:17-21).

The Birth of Ishmael

Despite God's promises, Sarai's barrenness weighed heavily. She urged Abram to take her maidservant, Hagar, as a surrogate. Abram agreed, and Hagar conceived. But tension arose between Sarai and Hagar, leading Hagar to flee into the wilderness (Genesis 16:1-6).

There, an angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar, saying, "Return to your mistress and submit to her. I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count." The angel also foretold the birth of her son, Ishmael, who would be a wild man, living in conflict with others. Hagar named the Lord who spoke to her "El Roi," meaning "The God who sees me" (Genesis 16:7-14).

Hagar returned and bore Ishmael to Abram when he was eighty-six years old. Yet, the promise of the true heir through Sarai remained unfulfilled, setting the stage for God's next intervention (Genesis 16:15-16).