God of the Nations The Bible and Mission Where is the term “ nations” first mentioned in the Bible? Where is the term “ nations” first mentioned in the Bible?

Genesis 10:1 These are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood. 2 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3 The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 5 From these the coastland peoples spread in their lands, each with his own language, by their clans, in their nations...

10:32 These are the clans of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, in their nations, and from these the nations spread abroad on the earth after the flood. Genesis 9 Genesis 10 Genesis 11 The Table of Nations Gen. 11:4 “Come, let “ “ Gen. 9:7 And you, Gen. 10:32, ... and us build ourselves a be fruitful and from these the city... and let us multiply, increase nations spread make a name for greatly on the earth abroad on the ” ourselves, lest we and multiply in it. earth after the be dispersed over ” flood. the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11 Gen. 11:4 “Come, let us build ourselves a Gen. 11:8 So the LORD dispersed city... and let us them from there over the face of all make a name for the earth, and they left off building ourselves, lest we the city. 9 Therefore its name was be dispersed over called Babel, because there the the face of the whole earth.” LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth. Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Gen. 12:2 “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will Gen. 11:4 Then they said, bless you and make your “Come, let us build ourselves name great, so that you will a city and a tower with its top be a blessing. 3 I will bless in the heavens, and let us those who bless you, and him make a name for ourselves, who dishonors you I will lest we be dispersed over the curse, and in you all the face of the whole earth.” families of the earth shall be blessed.” Gen. 12:2 “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will Gen. 11:4 Then they said, bless you and make your “Come, let us build ourselves name great, so that you will a city and a tower with its top be a blessing. 3 I will bless in the heavens, and let us those who bless you, and him make a name for ourselves, who dishonors you I will lest we be dispersed over the curse, and in you all the face of the whole earth.” families of the earth shall be blessed.” Abraham Isaac Jacob Israel

- Favoritism? - Racism?

God: • blesses Abraham • gives Israel the Law • delivers Israel from Egypt • establishes the Temple ... so that the nations • delivers Israel from its enemies might know Him • judges Israel for its sin • promises future salvation for Israel A Psalm. A Song1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. A.

3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; B. let all the peoples praise you!

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,C.

5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! B’.

6 The earth has yielded its increase; ’ God, our God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us; A . “In the plan and purpose of God, Israel had always been responsible for communicating the message of God’s grace to the nations. Israel was meant to be a communicating nation.” -Walter C. Kaiser