patriarchs and prophets-第28章
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of favor。 It did not fix the character and destiny of his sons。 But it
showed what would be the result of the course of life they had severally
chosen and the character they had developed。 It was an expression of God's
purpose toward them and their posterity in view of their own character and
conduct。 As a rule； children inherit the dispositions and tendencies of
their parents； and imitate their example； so that the sins of the parents
are practiced by the children from generation to generation。 Thus the
vileness and irreverence of Ham were reproduced in his posterity； bringing a
curse upon them for many generations。 〃One sinner destroyeth much good。〃
Ecclesiastes 9：18。
On the other hand； how richly rewarded was Shem's respect for his father；
and what an illustrious line of holy men appears in his posterity！ 〃The Lord
knoweth the days of the upright；〃 〃and his seed is blessed。〃 Psalm 37：18；
26。 〃Know therefore that the Lord thy God He is God； the faithful God； which
keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments
to a thousand generations。〃 Deuteronomy 7：9。
For a time the descendants of Noah continued to dwell among the mountains
where the ark had rested。 As their numbers increased； apostasy soon led to
division。 Those who desired to forget their Creator and to cast off the
restraint of His law felt a constant annoyance from the teaching and example
of their God…fearing associates； and after a time they decided to separate
from the worshipers of God。 Accordingly they journeyed to the plain of
Shinar； on the banks of the river Euphrates。 They were attracted by the
beauty of the situation and the fertility of the soil； and upon this plain
they determined to make their home。
Here they decided to build a city； and in it a tower of such stupendous
height as should render it the wonder of the world。
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These enterprises were designed to prevent the people from scattering abroad
in colonies。 God had directed men to disperse throughout the earth； to
replenish and subdue it； but these Babel builders determined to keep their
community united in one body； and to found a monarchy that should eventually
embrace the whole earth。 Thus their city would become the metropolis of a
universal empire； its glory would command the admiration and homage of the
world and render the founders illustrious。 The magnificent tower； reaching
to the heavens； was intended to stand as a monument of the power and wisdom
of its builders； perpetuating their fame to the latest generations。
The dwellers on the plain of Shinar disbelieved God's covenant that He would
not again bring a flood upon the earth。 Many of them denied the existence of
God and attributed the Flood to the operation of natural causes。 Others
believed in a Supreme Being； and that it was He who had destroyed the
antediluvian world； and their hearts； like that of Cain； rose up in
rebellion against Him。 One object before them in the erection of the tower
was to secure their own safety in case of another deluge。 By carrying the
structure to a much greater height than was reached by the waters of the
Flood； they thought to place themselves beyond all possibility of danger。
And as they would be able to ascend to the region of the clouds； they hoped
to ascertain the cause of the Flood。 The whole undertaking was designed to
exalt still further the pride of its projectors and to turn the minds of
future generations away from God and lead them into idolatry。
When the tower had been partially completed； a portion of it was occupied as
a dwelling place for the builders； other apartments； splendidly furnished
and adorned； were devoted to their idols。 The people rejoiced in their
success； and praised the gods of silver and gold； and set themselves against
the Ruler of heaven and earth。 Suddenly the work that had been advancing so
prosperously was checked。 Angels were sent to bring to naught the purpose of
the builders。 The tower had reached a lofty height； and it was impossible
for the workmen at the top to communicate directly with those at the base；
therefore men were stationed at different points； each to receive and report
to the one next below him the orders for needed material or other directions
concerning the work。 As messages were thus passing from one to another the
language was confounded； so that material was called for which
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was not needed； and the directions delivered were often the reverse of those
that had been given。 Confusion and dismay followed。 All work came to a
standstill。 There could be no further harmony or co…operation。 The builders
were wholly unable to account for the strange misunderstandings among them；
and in their rage and disappointment they reproached one another。 Their
confederacy ended in strife and bloodshed。 Lightnings from heaven； as an
evidence of God's displeasure； broke off the upper portion of the tower and
cast it to the ground。 Men were made to feel that there is a God who ruleth
in the heavens。
Up to this time all men had spoken the same language； now those that could
understand one another's speech united in companies； some went one way； and
some another。 〃The Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of
all the earth。〃 This dispersion was the means of peopling the earth； and
thus the Lord's purpose was accomplished through the very means that men had
employed to prevent its fulfillment。
But at what a loss to those who had set themselves against God！ It was His
purpose that as men should go forth to found nations in different parts of
the earth they should carry with them a knowledge of His will； that the
light of truth might shine undimmed to succeeding generations。 Noah； the
faithful preacher of righteousness； lived for three hundred and fifty years
after the Flood； Shem for five hundred years； and thus their descendants had
an opportunity to become acquainted with the requirements of God and the
history of His dealings with their fathers。 But they were unwilling to
listen to these unpalatable truths； they had no desire to retain God in
their knowledge； and by the confusion of tongues they were； in a great
measure； shut out from intercourse with those who might have given them
light。
The Babel builders had indulged the spirit of murmuring against God。 Instead
of gratefully remembering His mercy to Adam and His gracious covenant with
Noah； they had complained of His severity in expelling the first pair from
Eden and destroying the world by a flood。 But while they murmured against
God as arbitrary and severe； they were accepting the rule of the cruelest of
tyrants。 Satan was seeking to bring contempt upon the sacrificial offerings
that prefigured the death of Christ； and as the minds of the people were
darkened by idolatry； he led them to counterfeit these offerings and
sacrifice their own children
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upon the altars of their gods。 As men turned away from God； the divine
attributesjustice； purity； and lovewere supplanted by oppression；
violence； and brutality。
The men of Babel had determined to establish a government that should be
independent of God。 There were some among them； however； who feared the
Lord； but who had been deceived by the pretensions of the ungodly and drawn
into their schemes。 For the sake of these faithful ones the Lord delayed His
judgments and gave the people time to reveal their true character。 As this
was developed； the sons of God labored to turn them from their purpose； but
the people were fully united in their Heaven…daring undertaking。 Had they
gone on unchecked； they would have demoralized the world in its infancy。
Their confederacy was founded in rebellion； a kingdom established for
self…exaltation； but in which God was to have no rule or honor。 Had this
confederacy been permitted； a mighty power would have borne sway to banish
righteousnessand with it peace； happiness； and security from the earth。
For the divine statutes； which are 〃holy and just and good〃 （Romans 7：12）；
men were endeavoring to substitute laws to su
