Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided; his brother was named Joktan. – 1 Chronicles 1:19

Today's Scripture Reading (May 7, 2022):  1 Chronicles 1

It is not news that we live in a divided world. And we are divided in multiple ways. We are separated geographically between East and West. There are significant differences between those who live in one area of the world and those who live in another part of the world. But more importantly, East and West also divides us culturally. And often, this cultural division produces a lack of trust. It is sometimes frustrating to listen to some of the talking heads on our news programs because they seem to be blissfully unaware of this trust divide. They react as if they possess the unvarnished truth while the other is corrupted by propaganda when the reality is that propaganda affects us all. Yes, I think propaganda affects the other side more than it affects me, but that too is part of the problem. And I know that my counterpart on the other side of the world believes the same about me.

We are divided economically into rich and poor. And we are divided religiously; we don't all believe the same things. And in our contemporary world, even our belief systems seem to be fragmenting as we begin to demand that everyone believe precisely as we do.

The Bible tries to explain this with the story of the Tower of Babel. According to the biblical narrative, the known world had a common language. And in an effort to unify their world, they decided to build a tower that would reach heaven. But, apparently,  God decided that a unified world was a bad thing because nothing would be impossible for us to accomplish. Admittedly, the logic here is a bit suspect to the contemporary mind. But, according to the story, God confused the language of those trying to build the tower. As a result, the geographical differences and all of the other variations and trust issues that we have developed began to form.

Part of my problem with the story, as we have it, of the Tower of Babel is that the task of confusion and division seems to be more a part of Satan's character list than a characteristic of God. Maybe what happened at Babel was similar to what happened with Job, and Satan obtained permission from God to confuse those living at Babel. But because God permitted him to cause division at Babel, according to Hebrew thought, it was as if God had done it.

But the events that happened at Babel, regardless of how they happened, changed the way that the world worked. According to tradition, Eber lived during this time of division, and he named his son Peleg, a name that means divided, reflecting the realities of the dividing world in which he lived.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 2

Personal Note: Happy Birthday to my son, Craig. I am proud of the person that you have become.