Genesis 11:1
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
What are the advantages of a common language? Certainly much work could
be accomplished at a faster rate if we were all of one speech, amen? Such
was the setting after the flood... It all began when God had previously
instructed Noah to be fruitful and replenish the earth. Nimrod, a descendent
of Noah, had become a mighty one in the earth who had unified the people
in numerous construction projects, the most prominent being that of the
Tower of Babel. (Gen. 10:8-10)
However, it was nothing more than an organized rebellion against God who
had told them to scatter abroad, not congregate in one place! As a matter
of fact, Nimrod's name actually means, "let us revolt".
Genesis 11:2-4
And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found
a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one
to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they
had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go
to, let US build US a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven;
and let US make US a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of
the whole earth.
"GO TO" - The Organization of Man's Plan
Like you and I, the people who sought out the plain of Shinar had some
hopes and dreams of their own. Let's look at what they hoped to accomplish
with their plans:
1. to build a city (secular)
2. to build a tower reaching unto heaven (religious)
3. to make a name for themselves (prideful)
Why were their plans organized as such? Because these folk were not willing
to be scattered. In other words, they were not willing to align their
desires with God's way of doing things! However, while rejecting the knowledge
of God, this group threw a little religion into their plans to ease their
conscience by intending to construct a tower whose top may reach unto
heaven. Perhaps you've talked to people before who frequently include
godly terminology in discussion of their goals yet never fully carry out
God's plan for their life... Notice too, that these disobedient citizens
sought out level land in which to build their city and tower; land where
there were no obvious obstacles or opposition to construction and where
their personal achievements could stand openly for all to see. Man tends
to settle himself where the most glory can be acquired. As a matter of
fact, that's how some people choose churches too!
Before we go on, what do you hope to accomplish in your life, dear lady?
How do you intend to see it take place? Be honest with yourself today,
have you been striving to make a name for yourself in defiance of God's
decrees?? Are you mixing secular elements with religious elements in the
building process? Can we really build godliness into our lives apart from
doing things totally God's way?? Notice these people used what they had
in abundance for building purposes - brick and slime - which I will liken
to hard hearts and sinful attitudes... Yes, with their own materials they
presumptuously assumed their human efforts could create a way to heaven
and acceptance with God!
"LET US MAKE A NAME FOR OURSELVES"
Mankind has a strong urge for reputation but more than that - a desire
for independence from God! Inspect closely your personal goals today...
If our plans and dreams don't align 100% with God's Word, they are nothing
more than secular constructions as was the end result of this city of
Babylonia. Secular is defined as: of man, by man and for man. Think about
it... Cities are typically the center of commercial and business life
where all bodily needs can be met and hungers of the soul can be satisfied
- of man, by man and for man! But where is GOD in all that secular satisfaction??
A city is a monument to man's independence. Are you a CITY girl??
Ladies, without total dependency placed upon God, our plans are nothing
more than an attempt to gain earthly power and prestige by means of religious
activity! Building a tower in your life apart from total submission to
God's will is nothing more than building a monument of human pride, commemorating
continued disobedience to the Lord... Such self-centered plans coupled
with religious talk are not really for God's glory - they are just a way
of scheming against the Lord and using Him for our glory! It's a way of
making God available to us when we're "in the mood" for Him. Would you
think a structure built between worldliness and godliness could be found
pleasing to God whereby the two conditions could meet and be united??
Let's find out...
Genesis 11:5-6
And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children
of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they
have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will
be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
THE LORD CAME DOWN TO SEE
Ladies, whenever we begin carrying out our own plans and intentions, the
Lord will personally inspect ALL our work of what sort it is - the city
plans AND the tower plans! He will inspect our purposes, our ambitions,
and our desires... Are yours ready for inspection today?? No matter what
monumental task you might be busy carrying out, before construction is
completed the Lord will judge the work that is going on in your life.
What do you think God is going to look for, ladies??
The Lord inspects our organized activities to see whether or not we are
living independently of Him; whether or not we are in rebellion to His
Word and His ways! How much rebellion do you think God allows in our lives??
NONE! Whether it's organized or not, if you are attempting to build a
name for yourself in a secular fashion, make no mistake about it - God
will bring your work to an end!
Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
What activities do people engage in so that they may make a name for themselves?
What about Christians?? Regardless of what activities they may be, there
is to be nothing in our lives prized above the Lord! God is not to be
left out of the city of man! We need cities whose builder and maker is
God, amen? He must be included in construction at the onset if it will
ever last! Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him must be the chief
cornerstone…
1 Peter 2:6
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion
a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall
not be confounded.
What institutions, activities, or accomplishments compete for our ultimate
attention or allegiance? Is it right for us to exclude God from His own
universe?? No matter if there are countless others who speak the same
language as you, the majority opinion is not safe if God is not pleased!
THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE... Even if you intend your efforts
to touch heaven somehow and you are satisfied with things as they are,
such ill-fated beginnings must come to an end...
Genesis 11: 7-9
Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may
not understand one another's speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad
from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build
the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did
there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the
Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
"GO TO, LET US GO DOWN" - The Organization of God's Plan
Yes, the Lord allowed these people to carry out their secular plans -
for a time... God wisely let's us experience the fruit of our doings and
discover how shallow the promises are that we make ourselves. He sees
right through our religious talk... Ladies, no matter what we devise,
or how long we have been about our organized activities, God will have
the last word! Confusion sets in when we don't speak the same language
as the Lord. Through our disobedience, we are left in a confounded state.
When we forsake His Word, His will and His work, we cannot build anything
monumental in our lives!
Today, the exact location of the tower of Babel is not known, for there
are no known remains! So too, there is no value in human plans or efforts
apart from God; there is nothing to show for our work in the end. The
only significant accomplishments are the Lord's - in and through us -
for only these partake of the nature of God. Apart from pure, unadulterated
obedience to Him, all else is a waste and the fruit of your desires becomes
like brick and slime in your mouth. Whenever you go against God's will,
your labor, though organized, will come to naught in spite of all the
time you invested!
AND CONFOUND THEIR LANGUAGE
Why do you think God thought it was necessary to confound the language
of the world? It was to bring their independent plans to an end; to cause
them to focus on wholehearted obedience to Him (as they should have to
begin with); to heed God's counsel and value it above all others. Ladies,
if people can't communicate with each other, they can hardly cooperate
with each other. Hence, their building process came to an abrupt halt.
At Babel, when men no longer understood one another, there was no alternative
but to scatter. They spread out and settled in areas with those who spoke
the same language as them. God's will was done!
**On a marital note** The tower of Babel has many reminders for us...
1. No talk together (husband & wife can't discuss wants or needs)
2. No work together (couple can't build home)
3. No stay together (construction of relationship will cease)
4. Scatter (go find those who speak the same language and unite with them)
When husbands and wives don't listen to and obey the Lord, confusion pervades
the home. Construction comes to a halt and the marriage deteriorates...
In closing, the safest plan for all of us as individuals is to speak the
same language as the Lord! That's when true unity exists in our hearts,
our homes and our churches. Those who have been saved for awhile have
hopefully stopped the obvious, open rebellion toward God, but soberly
consider today whether or not there is any organized rebellion going on
in your life - that which is wearing the disguise of religion yet still
disobedience in the eyes of the Lord... Don't build a wall between you
and your God with the bricks of independence!
Jeremiah 10:23-24
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man
that walketh to direct his steps. O Lord, correct me, but with judgment;
not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003
