Part 3 — Reclaiming the Nations: From Babel to the Great Commission

The Nations Were Divided—but Not Forgotten

The story of Mankind's rebellion at Babel (Genesis 11) is more than just a tale of language confusion. It marks a profound turning point in the spiritual order of the world. After mankind united in prideful defiance, building a tower “to reach the heavens,” YHVH came down, confused their language, and scattered them across the earth. But according to Deuteronomy 32:8–9, something even more significant happened: “When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when He divided mankind, He fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But YHVH’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance.” (ESV, DSS reading)

This passage reveals that YHVH divided the nations under the oversight of heavenly beings—referred to as the “sons of God” (bene elohim)—but reserved Israel as His personal portion. These spiritual rulers formed the Divine Council, but as Psalm 82 later shows, they failed in their duties. YHVH stands in judgment over them:

“God has taken His place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods He holds judgment...‘I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”’” (Psalm 82:1, 6–7)

This rebellion and failure left the nations in spiritual darkness. But it also set the stage for a future act of reclamation—a redemptive rescue of the Gentiles by the very God who scattered them.

The Son of Man Enters the Scene

The prophetic vision of Daniel 7:13–14 gives us a glimpse of this redemptive moment from heaven’s perspective:

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him…”

This “Son of Man” is not merely a righteous member of mankind. He is receiving divine authority and everlasting dominion—something only YHVH Himself can possess. This figure appears before the Ancient of Days yet is worthy of universal worship. It is here that we understand how YHVH would reclaim the nations: by coming as the “Son of Man,” a visible and exalted form, incarnate in Yeshua.

Yeshua references this prophecy directly at His trial (Matthew 26:64), identifying Himself as this very figure. He is not merely a man standing before men—He is YHVH in the body of a man, standing in judgment over both human and divine rebels alike.

Yeshua’s Authority Restores What Was Lost

After His resurrection, Yeshua declared: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18) This is the reclaiming of global dominion—the reversal of Babel. Yeshua continues:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (v. 19) This is not simply a global outreach strategy. It is a Divine Council-level decree, made by the One who was present at Babel and who now, as YHVH incarnate, issues a royal command to gather the nations back to Himself.

Footnote: The connection between the Great Commission and Divine Council theology is profound. Where Babel scattered, Messiah gathers. Where spiritual rulers failed, Yeshua succeeds. This is not replacement theology—it is restoration theology.

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YHVH’s Own Return to the Nations

We often read these events as if the Father is sending someone else. But when we understand Yeshua as YHVH made flesh, this becomes even more powerful. The same YHVH who scattered the nations in Genesis 11 is now calling them back—not by sending a proxy, but by coming Himself in humility and power.

This is why Paul can write in Colossians 1:19, “For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” Yeshua’s mission is cosmic. He came to judge the corrupt elohim, reclaim their inheritance, and restore every nation to covenant faithfulness under one King—YHVH incarnate.

Reversal and Restoration: A Divine Pattern

YHVH’s pattern is consistent. What He divides in judgment, He restores through mercy. The nations were handed over to other rulers (Deut. 32), but now they are being brought back under YHVH’s authority through Yeshua. This is the central theme of the gospel:

• Babel scattered → Yeshua gathers

• Dominion lost → Dominion restored

• Spiritual corruption → Righteous reign

• Exile from YHVH → Covenant with YHVH through Messiah

  
  

Theological Significance for This Series

This part of the series grounds our rejection of Noahide theology in the bigger story of God’s plan for all nations. The Noahide framework assumes Gentiles were always outside the covenant, needing a separate law. But Scripture tells a different story:

• YHVH ruled over the nations

• They were disinherited because of rebellion

• He promised to reclaim them through the Messiah

• That Messiah is YHVH Himself, appearing as a man

• Gentiles are not second-class—they are full heirs when united to Yeshua

  
  

The Noahide system undermines this entire arc of Scripture by implying that Gentiles remain spiritually separated from Israel unless they follow rabbinic law. But through Yeshua, the wall of separation is torn down (Ephesians 2:14), and all are invited to enter the one covenant under the one true God.

Summary

The narrative of Babel in Genesis 11 is not merely about language confusion but marks a pivotal shift in the spiritual order. Mankind's prideful defiance led YHVH to scatter them and divide the nations under the oversight of the "sons of God," with Israel as His chosen portion. These spiritual rulers, part of the Divine Council, failed, leaving nations in spiritual darkness, setting the stage for a future divine reclamation.

Daniel 7:13–14 prophesies this redemptive act, where the "Son of Man" receives divine authority, signifying YHVH's plan to reclaim the nations through Yeshua. Yeshua, identifying Himself as this figure, declares His dominion post-resurrection, reversing Babel by commanding the gathering of nations. This is a restoration, not replacement, theology, as YHVH Himself, incarnate in Yeshua, calls back the nations.

Paul emphasizes this cosmic mission in Colossians 1:19. The gospel's central theme is YHVH's pattern of judgment and mercy: scattering at Babel, gathering through Yeshua, restoring dominion, and uniting all under one covenant. This challenges the Noahide theology, asserting that Gentiles, through Yeshua, are full heirs, not outsiders, breaking down the separation and inviting all into the one covenant with YHVH.

Overview:

Part 3: Reclaiming the Nations — From Babel to the Great Commission

• Daniel 7:13-14 (again) — Son of Man given authority over nations.

• Genesis 11:1-9 — The Tower of Babel and the division of languages/nations.

  Context for why nations were divided under the divine council.

• Matthew 28:18-19 — “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

  Yeshua’s reclamation of authority over all nations.

• Psalm 2:6-9 — God’s anointed king given authority over nations.

  Messianic prophecy of YHVH’s king.

  
  

Topics: Global Dominion | Restoration of Inheritance | Nations Brought Back

• Daniel 7:13–14 – Son of Man receives dominion and worship

• Matthew 28:18–20 – All authority given to Yeshua; Great Commission

• Genesis 11:1–9 – Nations divided at Babel

• Acts 2:5–11 – Jews from every nation hear in their own tongues (reversal of Babel)

• Acts 15:16–17 – Amos prophecy quoted: rebuilding of David’s tent to bring in Gentiles

• Isaiah 49:6 – A light to the nations, salvation to the ends of the earth

• Psalm 2:7–8 – “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations”

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The insights ahead will challenge assumptions and reveal layers of meaning you may never have considered. This is exactly the kind of content I create for subscribers, who are serious about biblical truth, so if that's you, subscribe in the box below right now. The next post will be Part 1: The Divine Council and YHVH's Sovereignty.

Next Post in the Series

Part 4: The Noahide Deception — Talmudic Invention vs. Torah Truth

Giving you a heads-up on the next passages and concepts we will be looking into:

• Genesis 9:1-17 — God’s covenant with Noah.

  
  

  Original commands that differ from later Noahide laws.

• Exodus 12:49 — One law for the native and the stranger.

  
  

  Foundation for universal Torah applicability.

• Numbers 15:15-16 — Same law for everyone.

  
  

  Equality of Torah commands.

• Deuteronomy 4:2 — Do not add or take away from God’s commands.

  
  

  Warning against later inventions like Noahide laws.

• Acts 15 — Council of Jerusalem regarding Gentiles and Torah.

  
  

  Clarifies no separate Noahide law system.

Topics: Scriptural Basis vs. Talmud | One Law | Gospel Criminalized

• Genesis 9:1–17 – Actual commands to Noah (vs. invented 7 Noahide laws)

• Exodus 12:49 – “One law for native and stranger”

• Numbers 15:15–16 – Same statute and ordinance for Israel and sojourners

• Deuteronomy 4:2 – Do not add to or take away from YHVH’s commands

• Matthew 15:3, 9 – “You nullify God’s word for your traditions”

• Galatians 1:6–9 – Warning against another gospel

• Jeremiah 8:8 – “The lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie”

• Acts 4:12 – Salvation in no other name but Yeshua

Watch this video: https://youtu.be/ywLuGBKF5s4?si=sJwBgPzZJBhRsfLB