GE 11:3 They said to each other, “Come. Let’s make bricks and bake them well.” They used bricks instead of stones. They used tar to hold the bricks together.
Have you read the story of the Tower of Babel recently? You can find it in the first eight verses of Genesis (the first book in the Bible) chapter 11. This is a great story to follow our last conversation about what comes to mind when we think of God. If we do not have the right idea of who God is, His nature, His character, His motivation, then we can easily misunderstand this early encounter between God and mankind. This story is also meaningful to our conversation because it reveals the next reason I want to share regarding why I spent so many years being resistant to God.
In this story, we find mankind attempting to build a great tower. The reason for this great endeavor is found in Genesis 11:4. They wanted to make a name for themselves to avoid being “scattered over the face of the whole earth.” Here we have a group of people wanting to form a community, a city. They believed that this magnificent tower would give them a “foundation” for this city, a focal point. Think of today. People know that great architectural achievements create a sense of pride in residents and are great tourist attractions, both of which help cities establish a name for themselves and continue to grow. St. Louis has the great Arch. San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge. Minneapolis has the Mall of America. Thousands of years ago in Babylonia, they wanted to have a tower that reached into the sky. Surely this would set them a part from other people groups, make them the envy of their world, and bring people from miles away to see this work of wonder! I am not saying that these modern day tourist attractions are bad nor the people and cities that built them. Objects and endeavors become dangerous when they displace our love for God as with our story in Genesis chapter 11.
Did God step in and create mass confusion because of a sadistic heart that takes pleasure in seeing people fail? Absolutely not!! From our last discussion we know that God is a perfect Father so everything He does is with our best interest in mind. Remembering this disciplines us to look for the right reasons and motivations when we read stories in the Bible about God’s interactions with mankind. I believe God intervened here because He was trying to protect people from the selfish inclinations of their hearts. God knows that the more we succeed without Him, the less we are motivated to pursue intimacy with Him. And intimacy with Him is the only foundation for experiencing true fulfillment in life.
For example, in the movie “Catch Me If You Can” the young con artist achieved fame and fortune dishonestly because His father never helped him discover the more fulfilling way of finding success, honest hard work and perseverance. In the Tower of Babel story, the Father of all creation caused confusion among people to impede their continued drifting towards life void of any desire for relationship with God. Just like in the movie referenced above, the more this young con artist succeeded in his capers, the more motivated he was to continue on that same course. The laws and those enforcing them were not sadistically trying to rob him of fun but trying to teach him the lessons of life his father failed to do, ultimately directing him towards a path of noble pursuits. In the Tower of Babel, God intervened in such a powerful and supernatural way because He was trying to redirect people’s hearts towards Himself. Again, because He is the ultimate source of true fulfillment. Relationship with our Creator leads to what Jesus calls “abundant life.”
I remember all the years I rejected God. Not only did I misunderstand God, but I truly believed I didn’t need Him. I believed he existed. I even believed in everything I had been taught about the Bible in my youth (see our link on doctrines). Out of arrogance, I truly believed I could “make a name for myself” without God. Now I know, a name (reputation) doesn’t hold much value, much fulfillment, much of anything worth having if it is not born out of a relationship with God.
Are you leaving God out? Have you talked to Him about decisions you are making, hopes and dreams you have, feelings you are experiencing? Also, ask some trusted friends what they think are your greatest strengths. Then, ask yourself if you look to God for help even when you feel capable.
Pastor Fred Michaux
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