(Genesis 11:1-26) Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words. 2 It came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4 They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” 5 The Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 The Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth.
10 These are the records of the generations of Shem. Shem was one hundred years old, and became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood; 11 and Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and he had other sons and daughters.
12 Arpachshad lived thirty-five years, and became the father of Shelah; 13 and Arpachshad lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Shelah, and he had other sons and daughters.
14 Shelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber; 15 and Shelah lived four hundred and three years after he became the father of Eber, and he had other sons and daughters.
16 Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg; 17 and Eber lived four hundred and thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and he had other sons and daughters.
18 Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu; 19 and Peleg lived two hundred and nine years after he became the father of Reu, and he had other sons and daughters.
20 Reu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug; 21 and Reu lived two hundred and seven years after he became the father of Serug, and he had other sons and daughters.
22 Serug lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor; 23 and Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and he had other sons and daughters.
24 Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father of Terah; 25 and Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and he had other sons and daughters.
26 Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.
TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
The people who lived in that one area (of Babel) decided to build their own kingdom, with designs to directly oppose God. Mankind was told to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. These people were building a fortified city with walls - to keep the people from spreading out. This is a classic move when people try to be in control of others.
What strikes me here is how we tend to limit ourselves when we try to be in control, like building up walls, physically, emotionally or spiritually - meanwhile - when we are saved through Jesus and living in God's will, we experience freedom from sin and can rest in God's grace and eternal joy.
Well, back to these people who were also trying to build the tallest tower possible. Either they thought they could actually reach heaven and challenge God on His turf, or they were just trying to show their might on earth. Another classic move that people use to show their strength and power: Who has the tallest tower? Who has the most towers?... Not only was this tower supposed to send a message to the earth, it was to be used to either worship other deities (demons or fictitious gods), or set themselves up as gods.
To stop people from getting way out of hand - again - God did not destroy the earth - again. He didn't even destroy what the people had already built. God chose to confuse their efforts by giving groups of people different languages, and scattering these groups of people throughout the earth. God wanted the earth to be filled - so God made that happen!
The city was then called Babel, which means "to confuse" (in Hebrew). The people remaining in that city chose to call it Babylonia, which means "Gate of God" - which was rather presumptuous of them. These people would be used by God to discipline His children, the Israelites, through whom Jesus Christ the Lord would be born. Jesus is the only "gateway" to God. So in the verses below the historic events of Babel, we can see how God preserved the descendants of Shem, Noah's eldest son.
Another thing that strikes me is how people haven't changed at all. Before the flood, mankind disregarded God and lived an evil lifestyle of partying and doing as they pleased. After the flood, it was like mankind felt they could "work" their way to heaven. These attitudes are both prevalent today. People either choose to live in denial and remain oblivious to God, or people choose to be religious and "good", thinking that they do not need God to get to heaven.
In our most grandest efforts - we are feeble compared to God. No matter what efforts mankind makes - God is ultimately in control, and God provides the way!...
No comments:
Post a Comment