And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." Genesis 11:4 (NKJV)
After the flood, on the plain of Shinar, some united to build a city and an extraordinary tower. The plain was a desirable place to gather, but it was also an open and vulnerable location. God had promised not to destroy the world again by floodwaters (Genesis 9:11). However, they believed Him not. Therefore, they took matters into their own hands by building a tower of great height and strength.
The name Babel originally meant gate of god. Building with human reason and might, they devised their own gate to reach the heavens. Many do the same today. They figure their human goodness and efforts will save them. But such pride and self-sufficiency makes for a faulty foundation. Rather, it's a humility that denies self and puts one's full trust in Christ, that makes for a firm one.
Besides self-preservation, there are two reasons stated for building the Tower of Babel. The first was to make themselves a name. Instead of seeking to uplift God’s name, they were bent on gaining earthly acclaim and significance. As Christians our boast should only be in Christ (Galatians 6:14)!
Another reason they built the tower was so they wouldn’t be scattered. After the flood, God told mankind to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). However, these people sought the opposite, to collect together and construct their own empire on the plain of earthly wisdom. As Christians we are to scatter; to “go” and “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). We are to be fruitful, that is bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). And we are to multiply by making disciples. This is how God’s kingdom is to grow. By no means are we to unite in order to build a worldly fortress! The church is not a fortress to the outside world. Rather, it's to be a transmitter of God's love and gospel into the world.
To thwart the builder’s purpose, heaven exposed their pride and folly. They tried to reach up, into the heavens, but notice the irony! God had to come down to them. He then confused their language. As they were now unable to communicate, they could not finish their tower. Their name actually became their shame. Babel became known as confusion and confusion was their lot, as it is the lot of the vain.
Which is your tower? Are you building up your name, or are you putting your full trust in God’s name? “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).
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