The Tower of Babel and the illusion of self sufficiency

Genesis 11:1-13:4
Matthew 5:1-26
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 1:24-27

The story of the Tower of Babel is an interesting one. What was so wrong about building a tower? What was so wrong about the discovery of brick and tar? What was so wrong about the endeavor that God chose to intervene, chose to take away man's ability to work together towards such a great endeavor? And why would God seek to impose such misunderstanding and discord?

I don't think it was the tower, the brick or the tar. I think it was the illusion of self sufficiency it was creating and reinforcing. They may have sought to build the tower with nothing but the best of intentions, but even those intentions fell short when one outcome was, potentially, the rejection of man's dependence upon God and, consequently, his need for obedience to Him.

We see that a lot today. Society demands that we "stop being such a hater". And, in doing so, it demands that we condone all manner of sin, in ourselves and in others. And it points to all that man has built as testament to man's authority. In this context, it really shouldn't surprise me when terrible things happen - war, famine, disease. While excruciating and tragic, they would seem to be yet further manifestations of God's love, and His intervention in such a way as to remind us of our complete dependence upon Him and, consequently, how much better to seek His will and obey.

In this context, what I long thought was a tragic end to a great endeavor, is now a manifestation of God's will thwarting a sinful outcome. May I come to see all His reproach in similar manner.

I needed to read the story many times before I came to understand this story in this light, before I came to recognize God's loving hand, and not his punishment, in this situation. How heartening to see how He reveals Himself as we seek to get to know Him through His word. We've just begun the year long journey of reading through the Bible. If you are reading this, you are already a part of that journey. I pray you will join us throughout the year, and that together we get to know our Lord much better, and come to recognize Him in all circumstances - even the difficult ones.



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