| Genesis 11:1-9 – The Tower of Babel
Gen 11:1-9 Now the whole earth had one language and the
same words.
(2) And as people migrated from the east, they
found a plain in the land
of Shinar and settled
there.
(3) And they said to one another, "Come, let
us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone,
and bitumen for mortar.
(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."
(5) And the LORD came down to see the city and
the tower, which the children of man had built.
(6) And the LORD said, "Behold, they are one
people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what
they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for
them.
(7) Come, let us go down and there confuse their
language, so that they may not understand one another's speech."
(8) So the LORD dispersed them from there over
the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city.
(9) Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the
LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed
them over the face of all the earth.
What was the error of
these people? Pride. That is what caused them to disobey God. Human pride becomes a
tool to demonstrate God’s faithfulness in an entirely new way. God is all the
more faithful to me when I am not faithful to Him. This is also grace. God’s grace
empowers and enables His faithfulness since no one deserves it. This may
sometimes be a problem since, in my pride, I desire to earn the good things of
God. Such a task is not only impossible, it is blasphemous.
As soon as I feel
worthy of being in a relationship with Him, my pride has made me forget who I
am.
“A city is a fortified enclosure or keep for defense against
the violence of the brute creation. A tower whose top may be in the skies for
escape from the possibility of a periodical deluge. This is the language of
pride in man, who wishes to know nothing above himself, and to rise beyond the
reach of an over-ruling Providence.
“And let us make us a name.” A name indicates distinction and pre-eminence.”
–Albert Barnes
“Man’s program was, and still is today, to establish a world
government without regard to his creator God. Man purposes to fulfill the
imaginations of his own heart by freeing himself from any restraint from the
Lord (Ps. 2:1-3).” –WOL QT Commentary
Psa 2:1-4 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot
in vain?
(2) The kings of the earth set themselves, and
the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his anointed,
saying,
(3) "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast
away their cords from us."
(4) He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord
holds them in derision.
“The bands of Yahweh and of his Anointed. They who are
engaged in this combination or conspiracy
regard Yahweh and his Anointed as one, and as having one object - to set up
a dominion over the world. Hence, they take counsel against both; and, with
the same purpose and design, endeavor to cast off the authority of each.
The word “bands” here refers to the restraints
imposed by their authority. The figure is probably taken from fastening a
yoke on oxen, or the bands or cords which were used in plowing - the bands of
the yoke being significant of their subjection to the authority or will of
another. The same figure is used by the Saviour in Mat 11:29 : “Take my yoke
upon you.” The idea here is, that it was the purpose of Yahweh and his Anointed
to establish a dominion over men, and that it was equally the purpose of the
kings and rulers here referred to that it should not be done.” –Albert Barnes
“And cast away
their cords from us - The same idea under another form - the cords
referring not
to that which would bind them as prisoners, but to the ropes or
thongs which bound oxen to the plow; and, hence, to that which would bind
men to the service of God. The word translated “cords” is a stronger word
than that which is rendered bands. It means properly what is twisted or
interlaced, and refers to the usual manner in which ropes are made. Perhaps,
also, in the words “let us cast away” there is the expression of an idea that
it could be easily done: that they had only to will it, and it would be done.”
–Albert Barnes
Man’s plot sounds almost noble in today’s world: we are
struggling to feel free. The irony is in the fact the one we struggle against
is the One who gave us free will to begin with and desires to make us free
indeed (Mat. 8). Man believes the lies of Satan regarding the rules of God.
Satan convinces us that rules will limit our freedom. He tells us that God
wants to restrict us and keep us from doing what we want. We accept the
blasphemy that God wants us to be unhappy.
Once these lies are seen next to the truth, oh what a
different picture emerges:
Psa 19:7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the
soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
(8) the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing
the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
(9) the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring
forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
(10) More to be desired are they than gold, even
much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
(11) Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in
keeping them there is great reward.
Directly converse to what the Devil and the Nations claim,
God’s law is for revival - reviving the soul, wisdom - making wise the simple,
joy - rejoicing the heart, enlightenment (clear vision) - enlightening the eyes,
satisfaction - sweeter also than honey, safety - is your servant warned, and
reward - there is great reward.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for
I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
He says, “Follow me and obey me because my laws are
reasonable and will help you. They are not oppressive. They are easy to follow
if you will only understand my intentions.”
How can I believe this unless I know the heart and mind of
God? That He seeks only my good and safety. It becomes easier when I learn how
God’s commands affect me experientially.
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