[Genesis 11-12]

H – Genesis 11:4, “Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.””

E – Self-Sufficient

The Tower of Babel is an interesting story. The people of earth spoke one language, were ambitious and united in an agenda, and self confident in what they were attempting. When you read that it seems like the perfect team. That’s what I want. We can get things accomplished that way. Yes, however, at what expense? 

These untied people were united without recognizing the one of all sufficiency, The LORD. They were self centered, self sufficient, self reliant, seeking self interest. They must have missed the memo of what happened in the Garden of Eden and what happened in the days of Noah. They were, as a society, seeking an independence apart from God, which at its core raises up excessive pride. But, when I step away from pointing the judgmental finger at these people and put the bullseye on me, it’s easy to see myself there as well, at times; doing my own thing, building my own tower, caring about my own name. 

It didn’t take long for the LORD to reveal to these Babelonites that they were not as big, powerful, successful, and sufficient as they thought they were. From the responses of the people, “come let us make a name for ourselves,” the LORD responded, “Come, let us go down and there confuse their language,…….(v.7)”. I can hear the conviction of His Spirit in my heart and head, “So you think YOU have it all figured out? How far do YOU think you can get without me?” I’ve had to hear that more than a few times in my life and it didn’t take long for me to realize I don’t have it all figured out and I can’t do anything without Him. I need HELP!

Obviously, there are consequences galore to the excessive pride of man and this generation was no exception. There is one other clear picture. Even in and through our messes the LORD is still doing a work for His Glory. Though the people were confused, scattered, new languages spoken, and nations formed, the Lord had a plan for the “Good News” of His Glory to spread through a people dependent on Him. 

A – My dependance can never be in me. I must fight against it. My dependance must be in The Lord. Therefore, I humble myself each day, take up my cross, and follow Him. 

R – Lord, I’m nothing without you. Help remind me of that truth. I breathe because you allow it. I move because you allow it. I am because you allow it. Lord, may everything I do be out of overflow and response to what YOU are doing in and through my life. Use my life for your Kingdom and your glory. 

In Jesus Name!