God of the NationsThe Bible and Mission

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

Gen. 9:7 “And you, be fruitful and multiply,

increase greatly on the earth and

multiply in it.”

Genesis 10The Table of Nations

Gen. 10:32, “... and from these

the nations spread abroad on the earth

after the flood.”

Genesis 11Gen. 11:4

“Come, let us build ourselves a city... and let us

make a name for ourselves, lest

we be dispersed over the face of

the whole earth.”

Genesis 11Gen. 11:4

“Come, let us build ourselves a city... and let us

make a name for ourselves, lest

we be dispersed over the face of

the whole earth.”

Gen. 11:8 So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the 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 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. 11:4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.”

Gen. 12:2 “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. 11:4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.”

Abraham

Isaac

Jacob

Israel

God:• blesses Abraham• gives Israel the Law• delivers Israel from Egypt• establishes the Temple• delivers Israel from its enemies• judges Israel for its sin• promises future salvation for Israel

... so that the nations might know Him

A Psalm. A Song1 May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face to shine upon us, Selah

2 that your way may be known on earth,your saving power among all

nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you! 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you judge the peoples with equity

and guide the nations upon earth. Selah

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

6 The earth has yielded its increase;God, our God, shall bless us.

7 God shall bless us;let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Psalm 67

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.

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

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,for you judge the peoples with equityand guide the nations upon earth. Selah

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

6 The earth has yielded its increase;God, our God, shall bless us.

7 God shall bless us;let all the ends of the earth fear him!

A.

B.

C.

B’.

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