Tower of Babel: When God Disrupts Our Plans
The Tower of Babel: When God Disrupts Our Plans
In Genesis 11:1-9, we find the fascinating story of the Tower of Babel - a profound narrative that speaks directly to the human condition, our ambitions, and what happens when we strive to achieve greatness apart from God.
What was the Tower of Babel?
After the flood, all of Noah's descendants spoke one language and settled together in the land of Shinar. United by a common tongue, they decided to build a city with a tower that would "reach unto heaven." Their stated purpose was clear: "Let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."
God observed their project and 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." He then confused their language, causing them to scatter across the earth, abandoning their tower project.
Why did people build the Tower of Babel?
The Tower of Babel wasn't just an architectural achievement - it represented humanity's attempt to reach heaven on their own terms. This happened just years after the flood, when the memory of God's judgment should have been fresh in their minds. Noah and his sons surely told the story of the great flood and God's rainbow promise.
Yet despite this, the people wanted to show God they didn't need Him. They weren't seeking to talk with God about how to reach heaven - they were trying to build their own way there. They wanted to demonstrate their self-sufficiency and avoid accountability to their Creator.
Was God worried about humans reaching heaven?
God wasn't literally concerned that humans would physically reach heaven through their tower. The Creator who existed before time, who spoke the universe into existence, wasn't threatened by a human construction project.
Rather, God was concerned about what this endeavor would do to mankind. When our intellect and ingenuity operate without Christ, our endeavors will only take us to places without Christ. God knew that if nothing was restrained from their imagination, they would only move further from Him.
How does pride lead us away from God?
Romans 1:18-32 explains what happens when humans choose to live life on their own terms. When we "hold the truth in unrighteousness" and refuse to acknowledge God, we begin a downward spiral:
1. We become "vain in our imaginations" and our hearts are darkened
2. We profess ourselves to be wise but become fools
3. We change "the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man"
4. Eventually, God gives people over to their own choices
When we try to make God make sense according to our limited understanding, we're attempting to change the incorruptible into our own image. As Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs, we should "trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
Why is unity important but sometimes dangerous?
There is undeniable power in unity. The Bible affirms this in many passages, noting there is "safety in the multitude of counselors." At Babel, all people spoke one language, and with this common tongue, they found great power in their unity.
However, their unity was remarkable but their purpose was flawed. God created us to need community, but when we seek community without Him, we end up glorifying ourselves rather than God. Unity is powerful, but it must be rooted in righteous purposes.
When we come together as a church, family, or community, we must ask: Are we building for God's glory or for our own?
Why does God sometimes disrupt our plans?
When God confused the languages at Babel, He wasn't being cruel - He was intervening for humanity's benefit. By disrupting their plans, God:
1. Prevented humanity from spiraling further into self-destruction
2. Introduced beautiful diversity in cultures and languages
3. Created separate communities that would eventually seek Him
God's disruptions in our lives aren't about redirecting us to a different path - they're about getting us focused on the one direction we should be heading: toward Him. When life gets confusing or difficult, God isn't trying to push us in a new direction; He's trying to turn us back to Him.
How should we view diversity in God's plan?
The confusion of languages at Babel might seem like punishment, but it brought the blessing of diversity. God created all the different languages and cultures we see today. This diversity isn't something to overcome but something to celebrate. Our differences in background, perspective, and gifts make the body of Christ stronger. We don't need to
become like each other - we need to become like Jesus. Unity doesn't mean uniformity; it means focusing together on Christ.
Life Application
When you face disruption in your life, consider these questions:
1. Am I building my life on myself or on God? Examine your motives. Are you seeking to make a name for yourself or to glorify God?
2. Where am I seeking community? God instituted the church so we would have community centered on Him. Are you actively participating in this God-designed community?
This week, when you face challenges or confusion, remember that God may be using these disruptions not to redirect you to a different path, but to get your focus back on Him. Instead of asking "Why is this happening?" ask "How can this draw me closer to God?" Remember that true peace, joy, and clarity come not from our own achievements but from our relationship with the Creator who loves us.
In Genesis 11:1-9, we find the fascinating story of the Tower of Babel - a profound narrative that speaks directly to the human condition, our ambitions, and what happens when we strive to achieve greatness apart from God.
What was the Tower of Babel?
After the flood, all of Noah's descendants spoke one language and settled together in the land of Shinar. United by a common tongue, they decided to build a city with a tower that would "reach unto heaven." Their stated purpose was clear: "Let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."
God observed their project and 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." He then confused their language, causing them to scatter across the earth, abandoning their tower project.
Why did people build the Tower of Babel?
The Tower of Babel wasn't just an architectural achievement - it represented humanity's attempt to reach heaven on their own terms. This happened just years after the flood, when the memory of God's judgment should have been fresh in their minds. Noah and his sons surely told the story of the great flood and God's rainbow promise.
Yet despite this, the people wanted to show God they didn't need Him. They weren't seeking to talk with God about how to reach heaven - they were trying to build their own way there. They wanted to demonstrate their self-sufficiency and avoid accountability to their Creator.
Was God worried about humans reaching heaven?
God wasn't literally concerned that humans would physically reach heaven through their tower. The Creator who existed before time, who spoke the universe into existence, wasn't threatened by a human construction project.
Rather, God was concerned about what this endeavor would do to mankind. When our intellect and ingenuity operate without Christ, our endeavors will only take us to places without Christ. God knew that if nothing was restrained from their imagination, they would only move further from Him.
How does pride lead us away from God?
Romans 1:18-32 explains what happens when humans choose to live life on their own terms. When we "hold the truth in unrighteousness" and refuse to acknowledge God, we begin a downward spiral:
1. We become "vain in our imaginations" and our hearts are darkened
2. We profess ourselves to be wise but become fools
3. We change "the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man"
4. Eventually, God gives people over to their own choices
When we try to make God make sense according to our limited understanding, we're attempting to change the incorruptible into our own image. As Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs, we should "trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
Why is unity important but sometimes dangerous?
There is undeniable power in unity. The Bible affirms this in many passages, noting there is "safety in the multitude of counselors." At Babel, all people spoke one language, and with this common tongue, they found great power in their unity.
However, their unity was remarkable but their purpose was flawed. God created us to need community, but when we seek community without Him, we end up glorifying ourselves rather than God. Unity is powerful, but it must be rooted in righteous purposes.
When we come together as a church, family, or community, we must ask: Are we building for God's glory or for our own?
Why does God sometimes disrupt our plans?
When God confused the languages at Babel, He wasn't being cruel - He was intervening for humanity's benefit. By disrupting their plans, God:
1. Prevented humanity from spiraling further into self-destruction
2. Introduced beautiful diversity in cultures and languages
3. Created separate communities that would eventually seek Him
God's disruptions in our lives aren't about redirecting us to a different path - they're about getting us focused on the one direction we should be heading: toward Him. When life gets confusing or difficult, God isn't trying to push us in a new direction; He's trying to turn us back to Him.
How should we view diversity in God's plan?
The confusion of languages at Babel might seem like punishment, but it brought the blessing of diversity. God created all the different languages and cultures we see today. This diversity isn't something to overcome but something to celebrate. Our differences in background, perspective, and gifts make the body of Christ stronger. We don't need to
become like each other - we need to become like Jesus. Unity doesn't mean uniformity; it means focusing together on Christ.
Life Application
When you face disruption in your life, consider these questions:
1. Am I building my life on myself or on God? Examine your motives. Are you seeking to make a name for yourself or to glorify God?
2. Where am I seeking community? God instituted the church so we would have community centered on Him. Are you actively participating in this God-designed community?
This week, when you face challenges or confusion, remember that God may be using these disruptions not to redirect you to a different path, but to get your focus back on Him. Instead of asking "Why is this happening?" ask "How can this draw me closer to God?" Remember that true peace, joy, and clarity come not from our own achievements but from our relationship with the Creator who loves us.
Posted in Sunday Sermons
Recent
Archive
2025
March
April
May
2024
September
2023
July
No Comments