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Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

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Chapter 10

When Languages Were Changed

This chapter is based on Genesis 9:25-27; 11:1-9.

God had preserved only one family, the household of Noah, to

repopulate the deserted earth. To him God declared, "I have seen

that you are righteous before Me in this generation" (Genesis 7:1).

Yet in the three sons of Noah--Shem, Ham, and Japheth--the

character of their descendants was foreshadowed.

Noah, speaking by divine inspiration, foretold the history of the

three great races that would be fathered by these three men. Tracing

the descendants of Ham through the son rather than the father, He

declared, "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants he shall be to his

brethren." The unnatural crime of Ham revealed the corruption of

his character. These evil characteristics continued in Canaan and his

descendants.

On the other hand, the reverence shown by Shem and Japheth

for God's laws promised a brighter future for their descendants.

Concerning these sons it was declared, "Blessed be the Lord, the

God of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge

Japheth, and may he dwell in the tents of Shem; and may Canaan be

his servant." The line of Shem was to be that of the chosen people.

From him would descend Abraham, and the people of Israel,

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