Athlete, Know the Nations

*This entire devotional series has been written by the AIA staff team at the University of Virginia

Read Genesis 10 & Psalm 2

A new genealogy after the great re-start of humanity.  We will see many of these names and cities and people groups later in Scripture, all coming from Noah's three sons -- Shem, Ham, and Japheth.  Ham's son Canaan is the father of several nations that wander far away from God into all kinds of destructive ways.  Psalm 2 tells of nations such as these that oppose the Lord and looks ahead to a future King of Israel, Jesus, who will inherit the nations and dash to pieces every geopolitical system that opposes the ways of God.  

We will learn more about Shem in Genesis 11, but there is an intriguing phrase, "the earth was divided," related to his descendant Peleg (10:25).  This likely refers to the division of languages and peoples that we see in chapter 11.  We are reminded of Peleg in the genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:35).  Jesus will unite the people of God from the many divided nations.  

 Questions for Reflection and Prayer

1. Are you worried about what the nations, the geopolitical structures of the world, will do?  On the other hand, is your hope for goodness on earth in government policy?  Christians have important concerns and involvement in government, but take time to consider God's perspective on the nations from Psalm 2.  Is your hope today in his sovereign power and goodness?  Is your hope today in his Son, the King who has come and will come again?

2. What does it look like for you to "serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling" and to "kiss the Son" (Psalm 2:11-12)?  To "kiss the Son" is to embrace him, to pay homage to him, to take refuge in him.


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