Genesis 10

v1-20: In Nimrod we see the nature of ungodly ambition. It is boundless - it “wants to have more.” It is restless - not content with what it has. It is full of pride. It is daring - it will stop “at nothing.” It is rebellious. So, be on your guard.

v21-32: Why is Shem called Japheth’s brother and not Ham’s? “Probably this was intended to refer to the union of the Gentiles with the Jews in church.” Though for a time, God’s dealings will be primarily with Shem’s family line, Japheth seed must “not be looked on as forever excluded from the church.”

Genesis 11

v1-4: God’s command was to spread out and fill the earth, but in building the tower and city, with “the hand of ambitious Nimrod,” likely in this, they sought to “prevent their dispersion.” These sinners were clashing with God. “You will be scattered, says God. But we will not, they say.” This is “the sinfulness of sin and the wilfulness of sinners,” that there are “ready to rebel against” any of the restraints God puts on them.

v5-9: “As the confusion of languages divided the people and scattered them, so the gift of tongues given to the apostles contributed greatly to the gathering together of the people of God, who were scattered abroad, and the unity of them in Christ.” This was the last time that all people were together in one place here on earth, but they will “come all together again,” on “the great day, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of his glory, and all the nations will be gathered before him,” for Him to judge the living and the dead.

v10-32: Abram was called out of “an idolatrous country” to go to “the land of promise,” as have all who are trusting in Christ. We “ought to remember” what our “corrupt and sinful state was by nature,” and be thankful for the grace God has shown by rescuing us.

Genesis 12

v1-3: The promise that through Abram all the families of the earth will be blessed, points to Jesus Christ, who “is the great blessing of the world, the greatest blessing that the world has ever known.” Everyone who believes in Him, “of whatever family they are, will be blessed in him,” and “some [from] all the families of the earth,” will know this blessing.

v4-9: “Wherever [Abram] pitched his tent, he built an altar.” Like him, “wherever we go, let us not fail to take our faith along with us.”

v10-20: “If God did not deliver us many times… from those distresses and predicaments which we bring ourselves into by our own sin and folly,” we would “have been ruined long” ago. He is a God who “does not deal with us according to what we deserve.”