Genesis 12, Patriarchs and Prophets 119-128
"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" (PP 119). "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." (PP 119). People after the flood appear to have ignored Gods promise, or refused to trust it. Causing them to take matters into their own hands and build up to heaven to revolt.
"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" (PP 119). And again, the people repeat the same mistakes, taking pride in their riches and ignoring the gifts of the Creator. Making their own idols to thank instead.
"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 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." (PP 119). "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." (PP 119).
"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. " (PP 120). While men tried to revolt, God's purpose for men to be filled in the earth from the beginning was fulfilled with the tower of babel failing.
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...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." (PP 120). They had the choice directly after the flood to follow the will of God, but again, they decided to have no regard for Him and His knowledge.
"But while they murmured against God as arbitrary and severe, they were accepting the rule of the cruelest of tyrants." (PP 120). This is a true delusion.
"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." (PP 123). God knew the hearts of everyone, and gave every time time to change, He didn't want to give up on them. But at some point, people will harden their hearts enough to where they will refuse change.
"In mercy to the world He defeated the purpose of the tower builders and overthrew the memorial of their daring. In mercy He confounded their speech, thus putting a check on their purposes of rebellion." (PP 123). ??
"There are tower builders in our time. Infidels construct their theories from the supposed deductions of sciences, and reject the revealed word of God." (PP 123). So the tower is like the people today with the ideas of science?
"If the professed followers of Christ would accept God's standard, it would bring them into unity; but so long as human wisdom is exalted above His Holy Word, there will be divisions and dissension. The existing confusion of conflicting creeds and sects is fitly represented by the term “Babylon,” which prophecy (Revelation 14:8; 18:2) applies to the world-loving churches of the last days." (PP 124). This passage is confusing me... I don't think she's saying that "Babylon" applies to the SDA Church?? That doesn't really make sense.
"After the dispersion from Babel idolatry again became well-nigh universal, and the Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him the keeper of His law for future generations." (PP 125). I actually didn't know that Abraham was a descendent of Shem. Then again it makes sense, the family of Noah was the only family there. But Shem specifically. Why is Shem important for the genealogy? "Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Shem, in unbroken line, had preserved from age to age the precious revealings of His will." (PP 125). Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhh.
"There was given to Abraham the promise, especially dear to the people of that age, of a numerous posterity and of national greatness: “I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” And to this was added the assurance, precious above every other to the inheritor of faith, that of his line the Redeemer of the world should come: “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Yet, as the first condition of fulfillment, there was to be a test of faith; a sacrifice was demanded." (PP 125). There's always a test of faith. A promise then a test, because the test sees if you're ready for the promise.
"In order that God might qualify him for his great work as the keeper of the sacred oracles, Abraham must be separated from the associations of his early life. The influence of kindred and friends would interfere with the training which the Lord purposed to give His servant. Now that Abraham was, in a special sense, connected with heaven, he must dwell among strangers. His character must be peculiar" (PP 126). Because we cannot witness to those who are already familiar with God and His character, we need to go where people don't know about Him. "Abraham's unquestioning obedience is one of the most striking evidences of faith to be found in all the Bible. To him, faith was “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”" (PP 126). The world always talks about not to follow things blindly, but in this God is telling us to blindly trust Him, which is faith. The world secretly tells people to not have faith.
"Many are still tested as was Abraham. They do not hear the voice of God speaking directly from the heavens, but He calls them by the teachings of His word and the events of His providence. They may be required to abandon a career that promises wealth and honor, to leave congenial and profitable associations and separate from kindred, to enter upon what appears to be only a path of self-denial, hardship, and sacrifice." (PP 126). Today I learned. It's great to have this be explained to you so you can understand, I definitely needed to know this.
"The call from heaven first came to Abraham while he dwelt in “Ur of the Chaldees” and in obedience to it he removed to Haran. Thus far his father's family accompanied him, for with their idolatry they united the worship of the true God. Here Abraham remained till the death of Terah...His brother Nahor with his household clung to their home and their idols. Besides Sarah, the wife of Abraham, only Lot, the son of Haran long since dead, chose to share the patriarch's, pilgrim life" (PP 127). This is the hardship of the test, leaving family and friend behind to walk somewhere you've never gone before. I would not be able to do that, I rely heavily on the companionship I have with my friends. There's so much safety there.
" “The Canaanite was then in the land.” Abraham had reached the goal of his hopes to find a country occupied by an alien race and overspread with idolatry. In the groves were set up the altars of false gods, and human sacrifices were offered upon the neighboring heights. While he clung to the divine promise, it was not without distressful forebodings that he pitched his tent. Then “the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land.” His faith was strengthened by this assurance that the divine presence was with him" (PP 127). While alone with the wicked, God assures Abraham that He is with him, and that there's a promise for him here.
"His was a life of prayer. Wherever he pitched his tent, close beside it was set up his altar, calling all within his encampment to the morning and evening sacrifice. When his tent was removed, the altar remained. In following years, there were those among the roving Canaanites who received instruction from Abraham; and whenever one of these came to that altar, he knew who had been there before him; and when he had pitched his tent, he repaired the altar, and there worshiped the living God." (PP 128). Ellen says that this is an example of a true servant. Calling Abraham "The friend of God".
"as trouble after trouble came upon him. So long as his confidence appeared unshaken, they felt that there was hope; they were assured that God was his Friend, and that He was still guiding him" (PP 128). All I can really say is that this is true faith.
I was having a hard time doing this today, my mind keeps drawing blanks and I'm not sure what to note, I had extreme lack of motivation to do this today so I tried to get through it quickly because I'm tired and my stomach is cramping.