In chapter x we have 70 descendants of Noah among whom the earth was divided, and Deut. xxxii, 8, says that God met the bounds of the people with reference to the number of the children of Israel, although such people were not then in existence except before God. From before the world was made both the church and Israel were real to God, and He clearly saw the end when through them He would rule the world in righteousness (Isa. xlvi, 9, 10). Chapter xi tells of man’s degeneracy and union against God to make them a name. This is the beginning of the story of Babylon, the end of which is found in Rev. xvii and xviii, and the great feature of which is self glorification. “Let us make us a name.” Here we have the beginning of languages because of this rebellion. Then follow the ten generations from Shem to Abram inclusive. In chapter v we had the ten generations from Adam to Noah inclusive, these 20 generations being on the line of the righteous and leading on to Christ. Man apart from God ever degenerates. Sin turned Adam and Eve from Eden, sin brought the deluge and destroyed all except those in the ark, sin brought the confusion of tongues, and now after 2,000 years sin again prevails, and from the idol worshipers beyond the river the Lord takes Abram that He may bless him and make him a blessing to all people on earth (Joshua xxiv, 2, 3). 1-3. I will bless thee and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing, and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. These are some of the words of the Lord to Abram while yet in Ur of the Chaldees, by which He would draw him from country and kindred and perform through him all His pleasure by separating him unto Himself and placing him in a land which He would in due time give him as an inheritance. Stephen said in his discourse that the God of glory appeared to Abram, and it is evident from another record that something more than the earthly inheritance was set before him, for he looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God (Acts vii, 2; Heb. xi, 10). Notice in these opening verses of our lesson the fourfold “I will” of the Lord—“I will shew,” “I will make” and the double “I will bless.” The promises and assurances are all from God. Abram hears, believes, obeys. He died in faith, not having received the promise, for God gave him none inheritance in it, yet He promised that He would (Heb. xi, 13; Acts vii. 5).