Genesis 11:2 states “And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.” Now, while this may seem like it was just the natural thing to do for the people of God, it was indeed extremely contrary to the command that God had given his people. God had commanded his people to be fruitful and multiply, and to replenish the earth (not settle down in one place), and subdue it (Genesis 1:28), but with the fall of Adam, the earth became exceedingly evil and every imagination of man’s mind was wicked (Genesis 6:5), thereby bringing about the judgment of God in the form of a flood, destroying all mankind, except Noah and his family. Now what is interesting to note is that, after the flood, the same command that was given to Adam and Eve, is now given to the Noah and his sons, which is to be fruitful and to multiply and to replenish the earth (Genesis 9:1), again not settle down in one place. So we see that settling down in one place (in the land of Shinar) was a direct contradiction to the command of God.
Points to ponder:
What is it that keeps you from following the command of God? Let us not settle down in our sinful states but let us be fruitful, producing the fruit of the Spirit and let us multiply – replenishing God’s kingdom on earth. What’s your Shinar? Settle not there!
Prayer:
Lord, help me to follow your commandments and not seek to settle down in places of my life, where I think it is level ground (a plain). Let my Shinar be in you, Lord, I pray.
Genesis 11:2 (KJV)
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
Genesis 9:1 (KJV)
1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
