Broadcast
The Tower of Babel - Part 2
Genesis 11:3-4
05/21/2024
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.''
(ESV)
In the third chapter of Genesis we learn that original sin
is the desire to be like God, to replace Him. Over the course of
the years, people rejected the truth of God's Word. Sin became
so rampant that God destroyed all but eight people. Yet, 100
years after the Flood, Noah's descendants once again determined
to ignore God's Word and His command to fill the earth.
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. 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.''
More important than God's command to properly care for
creation was the desire for fame and legacy. To build a city and
tower was to defy God and His desire that mankind cares for all
of creation. This same arrogance is evident today as people
reject God's Word and determine to do things their own way.
Defying God brings consequences. Ignoring the truth of His
Word brings fear, loneliness, and the uncertainty of the future.
We may not build large cities or towering temples, but we seek
our own way to heaven, a way of works which is doomed to fail.
By rejecting God's offer of love, grace, and mercy as found in
the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we find no comfort
when our world collapses.
May our Lord grant us the wisdom to learn the lessons from
ancient history, lessons which are important today. Amen.