Genesis 10:15-20: a reflection

15Canaan became the father of Sidon (his firstborn), Heth, 16the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 17the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 18the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the families of the Canaanites were spread abroad. 19The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon—as you go toward Gerar—to Gaza—as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim—to Lasha. 20These are the sons of Ham, after their families, according to their languages, in their lands and their nations.

This passage is part of the table of the nations, the record of how the peoples of the earth descended from the sons of Noah and spread into their lands. Here it traces the descendants of Canaan, the Canaanites and their neighbors, peoples who would in time become adversaries of Israel. Yet they, too, are listed here as part of the one human family, springing from the same origin, spread by God into their appointed lands.

Notice that even the nations who would become opponents of God's people are shown here to belong to the one human family. The Canaanites, and the cities of the plain named alongside them, would stand against Israel and against God; and yet they, too, trace back to the same beginning, the same family of humanity that God made. The record takes in all the nations, adversaries and all, as part of one human race under God's hand.

That is worth remembering about those we may regard as opponents. The peoples and persons who stand against us, or against what is right, are not of some other origin; they are part of the same human family, made by the same God, who takes in all the nations under his view. This does not excuse the wrong that any do, but it guards us from regarding others as less than human, or beyond the reach of the God who made them. Remember that even those you count as opponents share your origin and your Maker. Hold onto that common humanity, pray for them, and remember that the God over all the nations made them too, and desires that all should come to him.

Lord, the table of the nations records how all the peoples of the earth, even those who would become adversaries of your people, descend from one human family that you made and spread into their lands. Help me remember that. The peoples and persons who stand against me, or against what is right, are not of some other origin; they are part of the same human family, made by the same God. This does not excuse any wrong, but it guards me from regarding others as less than human, or beyond your reach. Help me hold onto that common humanity, even with those I count as opponents. Keep me from contempt, and help me pray for them, remembering that you, the God over all the nations, made them too, and desire that all should come to you. Give me your heart for all the peoples you have made.