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The Tents of Shem- Generational Promises |
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Nations Divided in the Earth after the Flood |
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Genesis 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. |
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Shem – 2nd Born |
Ham – 3rd Born |
Japheth - 1st Born |
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Genesis 9:26 … Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. |
Genesis 9:25 … Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. |
Genesis 9:27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. |
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Prophecy Begins fulfillment in Chapter 12 and is Eternal |
Prophecy Fulfilled within 200 years |
Prophecy begins to be fulfilled in 1500 years and lasts even today |
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Elam |
Cush |
Gomer (Germany, Crimea, Cambria,Celts) |
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Asshur(Assyria) |
Seba |
Ashkenaz(Germany, Saxons, Scandanavia) |
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Arphaxad |
Havilah |
Riphath (Carpathians) |
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Salah |
Sabtah |
Togarma (Armenia) |
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Eber (Hebrews) |
Raamah |
Magog (Georgia, Scthians) |
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Peleg |
Sheba |
Madai (Medes, Aryans, India) |
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Joktan |
Dedan |
Javan (Ionians, Greeks, Coastlands) |
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Almodad |
Sabtecchta |
Elishah (Hellas) |
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Sheleph |
Nimrod (Babylon, Erech, Calneh, Nineveh) |
Tarshisti (Spain) |
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Hazarmaveth |
Mizram (Egypt) |
Kittim(Cyprus) |
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Jerah |
Ludim |
Dodanium (Rhodes) |
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Hadoram |
Anamim |
Tubal |
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Uzal |
Lehabim |
Meshech |
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Diklah |
Naphtuhim |
Tiras (Thrace, Teutons) |
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Obal |
Pathrusim (Pathros) |
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Abimael |
Casluhim (Philistines) |
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Sheba |
Philistim |
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Ophir |
Caphtorum |
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Havilah |
Phut (Libya) |
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Jobab |
Canaan |
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Lud (Lydia) |
Sidon |
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Aram |
Heth (Hittites, Cathay) |
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Uz (Job) |
Jebusites |
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Hul |
Amorites |
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Gether |
Girgashhites |
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Mash |
Hivites |
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Arkites (Phoenicians) |
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Sinites (Sino, China) |
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Avidities |
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Zemarites |
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Hamathite |
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Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; |
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Deuteronomy 32:8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. |
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Ezekiel 5:5 Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her. |
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The Tents of Shem – Generational Promises
Genesis 9:25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
Genesis 9:26 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
Genesis 9:27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
This prophecy of Noah concerning his three sons, is actually a continuation of the “Seed promise” prophecy given in Genesis 3:15. There is not a book anywhere like the Bible. The Bible, from Creation to Pentecost, and on to today, a period of about 6,000 years, can be divided into three main sections of about 2000 years each. In each section, God is talking to a specific group of people, while never forgetting about the people from the previous period.
The first 2000 year period, from Creation to the Tower of Babel, God is speaking to His creation, man as a whole. Sin has changed all creation and the means of redemption is established with the “Coats of Skins” and a “Seed promise”, or generational line culminating with the promised Messiah delivering His people from the dominion of the “seed of the serpent”. This generational promise has then been narrowed down from Seth to Noah’s son Shem. Do not think God has forgotten about Noah’s sons.
During the second 2000 year period, God calls out a specific nation and set them in the center of all the other nations when He separated the sons of Adam (Deuteronomy 32:8)The promised Seed can then be traced through Shem’s descendant, Abraham by covenant. This covenant included a land, which Abraham never did possess while here on earth. He did possess it by faith, however, and will possess it during the Millennium. Instead, Abraham sojourning and dwelling in tents were the witnesses of the One True God among the Nations (Hebrews 11:8-10). The Seed promise can now be traced to Isaac and then to Jacob. The promise is then extended to David by a continuing covenant and culminates with the BRANCH, Jesus Christ. This period lasts from the Abrahamic Covenant to the descending of the Holy Spirit. Don’t think that God has forgotten the covenant He made with Abraham.
The third period, which has been approximately 2000 years now, is the continuing of the redemption story From Pentecost to the Rapture, which has been approximately 2000 years now. The descendants of Abraham on Earth have been “blinded” (II Corinthians 3:14, Romans 11:8-24, Ephesians 2) Jesus Christ allowed the Gentile to “dwell in the tents pitched by the “Seed of Abraham”.. Noah’s sons were not forgotten, however. You see, the power of the Holy Ghost enabled Christ’s Spirit filled witnesses to proclaim the Gospel with boldness and we find the first three converts, descendants from each of Noah’s three sons.
God set aside the last seven years of this age to return Israel to Himself. No, God has not forgotten the previous ages, but continues to reveal the “Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the World” (Revelation 13:8) and will “gather together in one all things” (Ephesians 1:10; I Corinthians 15:25-28).
I. Building the “Tents of Shem”
Genesis 9:26 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
Genesis 9:27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
A. Verse 9:26 is worded different from what one might expect – Use of “LORD God”
1. This verse does not bless Shem. (He was already blessed (Genesis 9:1)
2. This verse blesses the LORD God of Shem. It is God’s blessing to be the God of Shem!
3. This term is the covenant name of God not used since chapter 3. (Not used in vs.27)
4. The LORD God is getting ready to make a covenant with a descendant of one of Noah’s sons
5. Then, Japheth will be enlarged and “Dwell in the tents of Shem”
B. From the Semitic Nation, God calls out Abram from the idolatrous region of Ur of the Chaldees:
Genesis 12:1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
1. Here God promises Abraham three Eternal main things
a. Land
b. Seed – Continues from the “Seed promise to the fulfillment in Christ”
c. He would bless the world
2. Abraham never did own the promised land, but
a. He did see it by faith
b. Abraham realized that his promise would not manifest until later (After he died)
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Hebrews 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
II. Japheth is being “Enlarged” (Play on words, Japheth means “enlargement”)
Genesis 9:27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
We can see that the prophecy of verse 25 concerning Canaan began to be fulfilled within 200 years. We saw the prophecy concerning Shem began fulfillment in two chapters of Genesis. But the prophecy concerning Japheth was not seen for a period of at least 1500 years. When did it begin?
A. When we think of the great civilizations in ancient times we think of Egypt, Shinar, and even the greatness of David and Solomon – These were all either Hamites or Semites.
1. It wasn’t until the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon claiming a greater empire for themselves (Japhethites helping “Shem pitch his tent”)
2. Then we see Alexander the Great, a descendant of Javan, conquered Persia and went East claiming more land for the (Japhethites helping “Shem pitch his tent”)
3. Then we see Rome conquering the Greeks and going west claimed again more land for Japhethites than anyone before him. (Japhethites helping “Shem pitch his tent”)
4. Then the Dutch, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and especially the English, all had empires and claimed more land for the Japhethites
5. These Europeans went to the New World and the one “superpower” still standing today, the United States has sent more missionaries than any other country.
6. It took a long time to develop, but it is still going on today.
So it took 1500-1600 years to see the fulfillment, it is still being fulfilled today. What does it mean to “Dwell in the tents of Shem”?
B. What does the Bible say about “Dwelling in a tent?
1. Psalm 78:55 He cast out the heathen also before them, and divided them an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.
Looks like here it is living in a tent someone else pitched. Assuming the blessing of someone else’s labor.
2. I Chronicles 5:10 And in the days of Saul they made war with the Hagarites, who fell by their hand: and they dwelt in their tents throughout all the east land of Gilead.
Again, looks like here it is living in a tent someone else pitched
3. Psalm 84:10 … I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
A doorkeeper is a lot of work, but still better to take a lowly job in God’s house than relaxing in the tent of wickedness. Contrasting resting and working.
4. Psalm 69:25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
Here is an example of Hebrew poetry, synonymous parallelism – rhyming synonymous thought to get the interpretation – Contrasting dwelling in a tent to desolation. Contrasting fruitfulness with desolation. Here, to dwell in tents is called a “habitation”
5. Psalm 120:5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
Again, here is an example of Hebrew poetry, using parallelism to define “dwelling in a tent is temporary. Or sojourning
I Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
I Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
I Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
C. Keeping this in mind, let’s turn to Ephesians 2:
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Can we see what has happened here? Jesus Christ, of the line of Shem, swung open the flap of Shem’s tent and said all you Japhethites and Hamites come in
D. Paul explained this with another metaphor in Romans:
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Romans 11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them…
Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Romans 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Romans 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Romans 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee…
Romans 11: 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Romans 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
We can also see that Jesus Christ, as He blinded Israel (II Corinthians 3) to allow the Gentile in, did not forget Israel. God’s intention has always been the entire world. Truly, the culmination of Abraham’s Seed has blessed the entire world
III. So how was Japheth able to “Dwell in the tents of Shem”?
A. Jesus Christ, A Semite, brought the Gospel to the Jew
I Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
I Corinthians 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
I Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
I Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
B. Because He rose again, the Holy Ghost descended in Jesus name:
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
C. Jesus saved His Disciples by saying, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
D. Jesus told His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem to be “endued with power from on high”
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (This promise was in Psalm 2)
Acts 4:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
Acts 4:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence…
Acts 4:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
E. The disciples have a 2nd experience with the Holy Ghost
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?.....
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
F. With this power from on high, the gospel is spread throughout the world. Look at the first saved of the Gentiles: Acts 8, Cornelius an Ethiopian – a Hamite.
G. Next in chapter 9 a Semite, Paul
H. Then in chapter 10, Cornelius of the Italian band, A Japhethite – All three – God forgot no one.
IV. Christ’s Brethren, People, Religious leaders, even the Sanhedrin knew nothing about Christ – His Departure, teaching the Gentile, or even that He is a prophet
John 7:32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
John 7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
John 7:34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
John 7:35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
John 7:36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
John 7:3 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Acts 17 – Let’s be like the brethren of Berea who were more noble than the Thessalonians and received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.