Scattering & Gathering

If we are going to properly learn and practice Biblical Theology, we must work hard to see the New Testament as a fulfillment of the Old Testament, because Jesus taught from the Old Testament with the authority of a Rabbi. One of the connected and continuing themes of the whole Bible is the idea of scattering and gathering.

There are two higher beings involved in the scattering and gathering of the peoples of the earth:

1. The Lord God is continually involved in scattering unbelievers and gathering believers.

2. Satan is continually involved in scattering believers through gathering unbelievers.

God’s work of scattering and gathering began with the Noahic Flood, but is really defined as one of his historical works in the story of the tower of Babel in Genesis 11.

We read in Genesis 11:6-7,

"And the LORD said, 'Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech'."(ESV)

God is recognizing the true nature of this gathering as self-worship.Humans have always enjoyed gathering for self worship, and we still do! Consider the fact that sports stadiums, awards shows, and broadway all seem to be places where we worship humans and defame Christ.

Genesis 11:8-9 continues:

"So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth." (ESV)

We see in the Old Testament a continual attack on the nation of Israel in Satan’s effort to scatter and defeat God’s chosen people. Satan’s attack was never solely about eradicating the Jews; it was ultimately about stopping the arrival of Jesus because of the curse of Genesis 3. Satan’s goal was to stop the coming of the Messiah by dividing the people of God to conquer and stop the plan of God. Satan can not operate outside the sovereign authority of God, so we must remember that what Satan meant for evil God continually uses for good. Some of Israel’s scatterings were part of God’s loving chastisement in response to their sin. Israel was divided into two kingdoms because of sinful kings. Israel was scattered all over the world in exile because of God’s judgment on her idolatry. The major and minor prophets preached this amazing and important message of God’s loving care in preserving and returning a remnant that would be gathered back to Israel in preparation for the coming Messiah, who would come to gather people from every tribe, tongue and nation.

Preserving The Gathering

Why is this important for us today?

1. We are an ecclesia, a gathering for a purpose!

2. The world is gathering as a church for her purposes under the organization of Satan.

3. We must be aware that Satan will do whatever he can to scatter the church.

4. To scatter the global church, Satan will work hard to scatter individual church members within the church.

Hell cannot prevail against a unified church! The devil has to flee when we are humble and submitted to God’s authority! What can you do to preserve the unity of the gathering? Stay humble and surrendered, and pray for God’s protection over the gathering.

References

ESV: Study Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles.