January 10, 2024
Genesis 10 is the genealogy of Noah and his three sons. There are seventy sons listed from the three sons of Noah. Seventy is a number in Jewish culture of completeness. There were seventy that were listed traveling to Egypt from Jacob’s family during the famine (Genesis 46). Many have speculated that this genealogy is not a direct father to son list. It may only list the predominant sons in the family lines. These names only account for the men in the family and very few women are named in many of the genealogies in the Bible. Japheth (vv. 2-5) descendants are said to have settled near the seas (likely the black, Caspian, and Mediterranean seas). Next the sons of Ham (vv. 6-20) are named and many of the names are actually groups of people rather than names. This cursed line of sons connects with the nation of Babylon. Last the sons of Shem (vv. 21-32) are listed briefly but they will take a more prominent role in Genesis 11 with the godly line that is listed. One final thing to note, In Genesis 10 verses 5, 20, and 31 talk about “individual languages” this is not a contradiction with Genesis 11:1. We must remember the author of Genesis is writing looking back at the 70 people groups as they are today.
Psalm 10 is a psalm where the author seems to wonder about the hiddenness of God. “Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” v. 1. The wicked seem to get the upper hand and the psalmist seems to think he is prosperous over the righteous people. There are probably times in our lives when we feel the same way. People that cheat or cut corners, to get ahead at work or school seem to never get caught. One of the characteristics of the psalms is their personal nature and the raw emotions that the authors record. It can help us identify with others and know that we are not alone in our thoughts. In the middle section of the psalm the author cries out to the Lord to do something, “Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless” v. 12. At the end of the psalm the author reminds himself of the promises of God. “The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. 17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry” vv. 16-17. There are two promises here. First, God will judge the nations, those who do evil will be perish. Second, God hears their cry for help and he will encourage them.
In John 10, Jesus is the good shepherd who looks after the flock. Jesus is contrasted against the devil who comes in personified as the wolf. One of the most used examples and illustrations in the Bible is that of sheep and the shepherd. That is what the nation of Israel knew best. They were nomadic shepherds for the most part. Jesus was throwing some shade toward the religious leaders of the day, calling them “thieves and robbers” v. 8. Jesus knew they didn’t care for the sheep like He did. Verse 10 has always been a special verse to me. It shows the black and white motivations between the devil and Jesus. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
The last part of John 10 is a continued conversation between Jesus and the religious leaders. Jesus boldly claims to be the one that gives eternal life. The religious leaders question him and try to get him to profess that He is the Christ. Jesus tells them they would know if they were really His sheep. Jesus boldly claims to be “one” with the father and this incites the Jews to pick up stones again to stone Jesus. Many contemporaries who deny that Jesus claimed to be God have looked at John 10:28-30 and sold it short. They try to say Jesus meant “one in spirit” or some other less than full meaning. The key is the response of the Jews in verse 33. “’We are not stoning you for any of these,’ replied the Jews, ‘but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.’” They knew exactly what Jesus meant when he said it and if they misunderstood what Jesus meant, why then would Jesus not correct them and deny he meant that? The answer can only be, because that’s exactly what Jesus meant to say and imply. All the other contemporary religions and cults that branch off of Christianity will all differ here with who Jesus is.
What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you? Add your thoughts below.
Posted by John Weldon 
DId God Really Say... 