THE CURIOUS MIND | Segun Mark Alonge Jr

God's love is universal and His thoughts are higher.

CHAPTER ONE
Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. Gen 11:1
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. Acts 1:12

THE CURIOUS MIND

THE QUESTION IS OFTEN ASKED why God would have to step into the affairs of a united mankind and cause kiosk and rancour among them by confusing their language. We would look closely into the details of the occurrence and the purpose for it.

The eleventh chapter of Genesis opens with an acclamation that the whole earth had one language and one speech. It is important to note that in talking about the whole earth as here stated, it was referring to as many as survived the flood that swept the whole earth in the previous chapter. Noah and his household came out of the flood by the reason of God’s absolute favour shone on him. This occurrence in itself clearly points us to two major events.

Salvation
God’s dealings with Noah and his household clearly depicts the picture of Christ and as many as will come into him. Living in times when the whole world was condemned under sin and gross wickedness – the thoughts of evil multiplying in the heart of the man God found so much pleasure in creating.

The devil came and sowed tares (evil) among the wheat (good), but presented it in such a way that it would appeal to man’s emotions. “And the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die”. He presented evil to mankind because all that was present with man at creation was thoughts of good continually. And it grieved the Lord at his heart that he had made man on earth – that was a heart that truly loves: for it only takes a loving heart to grieve.

He could not behold the works of his hands rot under sin, sickness and disease. His man was made to have dominion over all he has made, thus making man the crown of all creation. But grace separated Noah for salvation. And grace won’t be grace, if it was worked for or merited.
The whole world was condemned under gross wickedness. God bestowed grace on him in order to make for himself a new generation of his creation.

The fall of man not only affected himself, but also the beast, the creeping things, the fowls of the air and all other creatures - their primary purpose was thwarted - hence, their earnest waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. A total number of eight souls were saved alive, marking the dispensation of a new beginning. It could also signify the Lord’s Day as it took six days for the creative venture and the seventh was declared Sabbath – but the eighth marked a new beginning.

Baptism
The second symbolic event is baptism. Noah and his household were saved from and through the waters. The washing of water symbolizes purification while the immersion indicates death, burial and resurrection.

The initial invitation into the ark was not in merit. It was an open invitation to as many as will desire to come into it. Everyone that came into the ark, including other living creatures were saved and presented to the washed earth. The believer does not immediately get translated upon coming into the family of God, but is washed and cleansed within to live a life acceptable unto God. He does not live a patched life but one that has been exchanged for the better life in Christ.

We cannot ascertain the expanse or number of years between the tenth and the eleventh chapter. But the introduction of the first verse in the eleventh chapter clearly connote that there has been a massive increase in the population of men dwelling upon the face of the earth. “Now the whole earth had one language and one speech” – I would here suggest that they as well have the same approach to God. If there was a religion practised then, it would be a uniform practise – for one language could also be interpreted as one culture in most cases.

Our second text shows the account of Christ’s ascension and the steadfast gazing up of the disciples into heaven. They probably might have been familiar with the account of Elijah and Elisha. Elisha had demanded a double portion of Elijah’s anointing upon the latter’s inquiry of what he wanted when he is being taken away from him (2 kings 2).

Elisha followed him closely up till the point of departure, because he had been instructed to watch while his master would be taken away to receive what he wanted. He demanded a double portion but he got the mantle that fell off Elijah when he was caught away from him. He picked up the mantle and the ministry began. The disciples might probably have been gazing up as well to receive the unction that Christ has promised them earlier.

All their gazing won for them were the words of the two men that stood with them in white apparel. The gift they expected would come on them and live in and with them. Christ had earlier promised that to them that believe in him – the works he did they would do also an even greater works.

The two men were clothed in white apparel symbolizing the purity of the spirit and the double fold unction they were to receive not many days after. The men appeared in the apparel (mantle), a similitude of what Elisha received from his master. But that would not be applicable here, for it was a community of individuals.

The unction was to come upon everyone who waits in anticipation for it. I am sure that if Christ has released the mantle as Elijah did, that would have been the beginning of division among the brethren. In the person of Christ, we have far greater blessings and benefits.
Upon the announcement from the two men, the disciples journeyed down from Mount Olivet to Jerusalem as instructed by the Lord – to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit in bodily form to rest upon them and dwell in them.

It is sad that up till this day, believers still gather and tarry long for the coming of the Holy Spirit. This act cannot be separated from an inadequate understanding of what the word says. It is more like the three wise men praying for Jesus to be born after they had presented the gifts and returned to the East. The Father’s promise was given once and for all. The Holy Spirit is at work on earth till the end of this age.
I encourage you, dear disciple of Christ, to cease from tarrying and asking the father to release the promise from above. He had released centuries ago, you only have to receive. You obtain what has been released by faith.

Hebrews 11:1 leaves no question about this: ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’. Faith, standing on the facts of the word of God substantiates and gives evidence of things not seen. And we know that evidence must be founded on facts. Since true faith is anchored on scriptural facts, we are certainly not to be influenced by impressions. George Mueller said, ‘Impressions have neither one thing nor the other to do with faith. Faith has to do with the Word of God. It is not impressions; strong or weak, which will make the difference. We have to do with the written Word and not ourselves or our impressions’.

(culled from the book, 'Gaining More Grounds' by Segun M. Alonge Jr with Olufemi T. Olayinka)