The Earth was Divided
A Devotional Series from Genesis
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8/2 Reading Portions: Judges 16; Acts 20; Jeremiah 29; Mark 15
Genesis 10:24-25
Arpachshad fathered Shelah; and Shelah fathered Eber. To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided, and his brother’s name was Joktan.
DIVISION
Arpachshad had other sons and daughters (Gen 11:13), but only Shelah is mentioned here. Shelah also had other sons and daughters (Gen 11:15), but only Eber is mentioned. We had already discussed Eber a few days ago. And since we will look at Joktan tomorrow, we will concentrate upon Peleg today. Peleg’s name, פֶּלֶג (PE-leg) in Hebrew, means “earthquake.” The Scripture, however, says that he was so named because in his days the earth was divided. Most reputable commentators believe that this was a reference to the confounding of languages during the incident surrounding the building of the Tower of Babel. I tend to lean toward that conclusion as well. When he was named is a matter of differing opinions. Josephus, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki, aka Rashi or Jarchi, and some of the other Jewish writers believe that Peleg was named prophetically by Eber prior to the event at Babel. Those who do not hold that view see Peleg being named because of an event. If he was born at the time of the confounding of languages, then the Tower of Babel took place in the 101st year after the flood (Gen 11:10-16).
In Genesis 11:10-32, the genealogy of Shem is recorded, and it follows a singular line of descendants from Shem to Abram, much in the same way that we see the lineage of Adam to Noah in Genesis 5. Both genealogies follow the lineage of the promised Messiah (Matt 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38). This phrase given to the circumstances surrounding Peleg’s life, “in his days the earth was divided,” is a prophetic truth concerning Jesus Messiah, as well as for His redeemed people who are saved by His grace. The earth is divided with regard to who Jesus is. Jesus asked His disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Matthew 16:13
His disciples gave several, varying answers (Matt 6:14).
The truth divides. Again, the Lord Jesus reveals this. In the judgment there will be sheep and goats, the right hand and the left (Matt 25:32-33). But that is not merely for the there and then; it is also for the here and now. Jesus said,
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
If we stand faithfully with Christ, trusting in Him according to His inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word, then who Christ is, what we believe about Him, and that we believe in Him, will shake up the world like an earthquake and will divide the earth in our days. When people are offended or put off by the truth of Christianity, we must trust upon Christ all the more. Hallelujah! What a Savior!