Genesis 10

Scripture:  Genesis chapter 10

Observation:  Noah's lineage.  We see where Noah's sons migrated to after the flood.  Japheth and his sons settled in the coastlands.  They lived in what is now known as Greece, Italy, and parts of Europe (Germany, Spain, Wales).  Ham (the cursed son) and his descendants traveled to Africa and parts of the Middle East; his descendants were the enemies of Israel.  Shem, the blessed son, and his sons moved westward to Syria, Persia, Assyria and the Arabian Peninsula.  It is through Shem's lineage that we receive the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Application:  God provided this information for us so that we could see the lineage of His Son.  Sadly, in times past, Christians used this passage to justify slavery.  It was believed that taking Africans as slaves was biblically acceptable because the descendants of Ham were cursed and therefore were bound to slavery.  It shows us how easily Scripture can be manipulated to say what is convenient for us at the time.  Jesus, who taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, would never approve of the cruelty shown towards Africans by those calling themselves His followers.  The Bible is not meant to be taken in bits and pieces to fit our needs.  It is a complete book, a manual for life, and we need to adjust our lives to fit God's Word.

Prayer:  Father, how selfish and egotistical we become when we try to use Your Word to justify our actions!  We can never deceive You, we only deceive ourselves.  Show me if I am using Your Word in a way that is dishonoring to You, and help me understand Scripture the way You meant for it to be read.  In Jesus' name, Amen.