GOD’S PLAN WILL NOT BE DERAILED

Genesis 11: 10-32

We are going to finish our study of the first 11 chapters of Genesis this morning.

Now, this is another one of those chapters that most people just kind of skip over when they are reading their Bibles but because every word of God is inspired and is profitable we are not going to just skip this.

What you have here in this chapter is the “last of the beginning” and the start of a “second beginning.”

  • You see, what Moses does here is he writes an ending to the “beginning record” of world history.
  • In the first 11 chapters we have noticed that events have primarily dominated the record. There has been the creation, the fall of man, the murder of Abel, the flood, and the tower of Babel.
  • The next 39 chapters are going to be dominated, not so much by events, but by persons.
  • So from here you do not study world history anymore.
  • What you do is shift from the story of the human race to the story of a “chosen race.”
  • And it is God’s intention to fashion an alternative community in the midst of humanity in rebellion.

Now, one of the pictures that we have seen very clearly in these first 11 chapters is mankind’s continual journey deeper into sin. We have seen it over and over again.

  • Remember in chapter 5, even though Enoch was a pretty strong preacher (Jude 14-15) who warned of the coming judgment on the wickedness of man…
  • And even though he had a son named Methuselah whose name meant: “When he dies, it (judgment) will come…
  • And even after the flood when only 8 souls were saved…it wasn’t long until man once again rebelled against God and fell into sin.
  • No matter what God did, no matter how He judged, no matter the mercy and grace he extended, mankind quickly turns their back on God and plunges back into sin.

And that same pattern continues here in chapter 11.

Back at the very end of chapter 4 we read about Seth, the son of Adam, and it says that “men began to call on the name of the Lord.”

  • But when we read this list here in Genesis 11 we don’t read anything about any one “calling on the Lord.”
  • You don’t read about a single man like Noah “who found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

I think the apostle Paul could have very well had this time in mind when he wrote Romans 1: 18.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Paul may have very well had the conditions of man in Genesis 11 in mind when he wrote this.

Genesis 11 closes “the beginning” with a world that is steeped in immorality and idolatry.

  • And again, God could have destroyed all mankind again; He could have put an end to it. But because of His great mercy and grace He doesn’t. (Have you ever thought about the fact that the reason God gives you another day is because of His mercy and grace).

Here in Genesis 11, God doesn’t give up on man and from this point forward in the Bible God is going to work through one man and through one nation in an attempt to call all men and all nations back to Himself.

  • And that one man that God will work through, who will eventually become a great nation is found in the verses that were read and his name is Abram.

Now, we have to ask the question:Out of all the people on the earth at that time why was Abram chosen?

  • Well, you might say, “He must have been raised in a very godly home.”

Well, the Bible doesn’t say that. In fact, the Bible says that Abram’sfamily was included in this moraldecline that was going on all over the world.

  • Look at what the book of Joshua says in chapter 24:

1 Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel and for their heads and their judges and their officers; and they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods.

When the Bible says, “They became fools and they exchanged the glory of God for worthless idols” it is talking about Abram’s family too.

In fact, remember in Genesis 31 you have the story where Jacob has gone back home to the land of his father to get a bride…and he finds Rebecca…and when he was ready to bring her back home do you remember what she did? She stole the household idols.

  • And remember that Laban her father came after Jacob and Rebecca because he was upset that Jacob took off with his daughter…but remember what he was really upset about: what really upset him was Jacob and Rebecca had taken off with his idols.
  • And then God speaks to Laban in a dream and says to him, “Don’t touch Jacob.”
  • Now, I am thinking that if the God of heaven speaks to me that might change my view about those idols I have been praying to…but Abram’s family is so steeped in idolatry that it didn’t change Laban at all.

Scripture says clearly that Abram’s family was idolatrous.

You see, God had promised a deliverer all the way back in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve sinned…He promised that through the seed of the woman a Redeemer would come through a man and that man would bless all the nations of the world.

  • And so He calls Abram. Why? Of all the people why did God choose Abram?
  • Abram wasn’t a righteous man when he was called. Why did God choose Abram?

Well, the Bible doesn’t say. But I have an opinion. The Bible doesn’t tell us a lot about Abram but it does tell us one thing. What is it?

  • He had no kids. His wife was barren. And I think that is why God chose him.
  • I think that Abram represented the barrenness of humanity without God and God was going to illustrate the truth that the power to create a future comes from God and from God alone.

And God is going to use Abram to teach the most important principle taught in the Bible and that is “righteousness comes by faith” and not by anything we have done. (God imputes righteousness not based on our merits or our goodness…it is based on God’s mercy and grace and our only role in that is to “trust God and obey.”

  • And, just like Abram, no matter what you have done…or how long you have done it…no matter how bad it was…because of God’s amazing grace…and because of your faithfulness and obedience…you too can stand as “righteous” in the eyes of God.

So, what is the significance of all of this? Well, let me tell you. The thing we need to remember is: God’s plan will not be derailed.

  • You see, what we have seen starting in chapter 3 is Satan trying to undo what God has announced.
  • In chapter 3 Satan, through his influence, destroyed the fellowship that existed between God and man.
  • But God said that He would send a Redeemer…one who would crush the serpents head and restore man back to God.
  • So, in chapter 4, Satan through his influence tries to stop God’s plan again and convinced Cain to murder his brother. He thinks he has put away the deliverer. But it didn’t work.
  • So, in Genesis 6, Satan through his influence has brought about the total wickedness of the human race with the exception of 1 man. And even though God brings judgment on mankind with a great flood…Satan fails again.
  • But Satan continues to try and stop God’s plan and through his influence Canaan is cursed.
  • And in chapter 11 he influences people to defy God and arrogantly build a tower that will reach into the heavens…surely God will destroy the people now!?
  • But God in His amazing grace doesn’t destroy the people…He simply confuses their language…and His plan continues.
  • And now we get to chapter 11 and there doesn’t seem to be anyone who will carry God’s plan forward…and you can imagine how Satan must have been celebrating…his influence has once again led all of mankind deeper into sin…but God’s plan will not be derailed…and God chooses a childless man to work through to bless the nations of the world…and to eventually bring forth the Redeemer that God promised would come.
  • You see, God’s plan wasn’t and will still not be derailed.

A lot of people today have been quick to believe Satan’s lies and influence. After all he is very powerful and strong.

  • But from chapter 3 to chapter 11…in 8 chapters Satan is a 6 time loser…and all those who were followed him were losers too.
  • It is only when you are faithful and obedience to God that you will be victorious.

Dr.HerbertGezork lived in Nazi Germany in the late 1930’s and he was fortunate to have been sentenced to be exiled to America instead of being executed. The night before his departure for America, he wandered the streets of Hamburg in deep despair. He kept asking,” What hope is there in a world where demonic forces are triumphing?”. At that time, Gezork heard music coming from a Church. He walked in and listened as the organist played the hymn “A Mighty Fortress is our God “. The words of one stanza came to mind, ”And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us “. The truth of the lyrics sank into his soul and brought him peace.

Ps 46:1-7

God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and foam,

Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

Selah.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered;

He raised His voice, the earth melted.

7 The LORD of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

One of the lessons that I hope you have learned in this study of the first 11 chapters of Genesis is that there is nothing that the forces of hell can do to stop what God wills and intends.

  • There is not a demon from the depths of hell that can stand in the way of God’s announced and intended purpose.
  • God said, “I am going to send a deliverer.” And it didn’t look like His plan was on track. I mean every where you looked all there was was immorality, and idolatry, and sin.
  • But there was one, old childless man in a tent listening to God and the plan was still on track.
  • And the deliverer came just like God said He would.

And now, God’s plan is for the deliverer to come again.

  • And let me ask you. What do you think is going to happen?
  • Do you think Satan can stop Jesus from coming back?
  • God’s plan will not be derailed.
  • He is coming again. Are you ready?