Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 24:69 (Autumn 2020)
Article: A Biblical Perspective On The Nations
Author: Samuel Dallessandro

JODT 24:69 (Autumn 2020) p. 181

A Biblical Perspective On The Nations

Samuel Dallessandro

* Samuel Dallessandro, pastor, East Hazel Crest Bible Church, East Hazel Crest, Illinois; adjunct faculty, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois

Leaders of the nations are presently debating the issue of nationalism over globalism. Some feel that in order to maintain peace and good relations, the United Nations needs to have more power and authority in the world and in local affairs; while other leaders strongly disagree, believing nations must not lose their sovereignty to a world government. Like in all things there is a need to ask what light do the Scriptures cast on the issue? The Bible does speak to the creation of the nations and why God created them. Consequently, it would be helpful for Christians to know the biblical perspective on this subject.

In Genesis 11, there is the intervention by the Lord into the schemes of mankind; and as a result of what men were planning to do, the Lord created the nations. Mankind lived as one prior to the universal judgment of the flood. All the people on the earth were living in one area and all of them were practicing the same things. As time continued, the people of the earth fell deeply into sinful behaviors, and God described their conduct as “corrupt and filled with violence” (Gen 6:11–121). The extent of their wickedness was so great that it was necessary for the Lord to execute judgment on them, and He sent the universal flood in order to cleanse the world of both the pervasiveness and the enormity of its sin.

The Tower Of Babel

Following the flood, and Noah and his family disembarking from the ark, the Lord gave clear instructions to mankind not only to multiply but also to fill the earth; this command was given not once but twice (Gen 8:17; 9:1). However, mankind in rebellion did not obey the order to fill the earth but decided to congregate in one location and to start a new civilization there and there only.

JODT 24:69 (Autumn 2020) p. 182

The people then commenced to build a city and a tower that would reach high into the heavens in order to keep from being scattered throughout the entire earth as God had commanded. “They said, ‘Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth’” (11:4).

One purpose ...