Mindset

Mindset

Genesis 11: Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. ² And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. ³ Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. ⁴ And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

 

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After Noah’s curse, Ham’s sons became great leaders. Unfortunately, they chose to oppose GOD at every opportunity. “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”, is what GOD said. But the people unified to do the opposite by staying in one place.

 

My Observations:

• Some people had a mindset that united them against what GOD said.
• Even if people were speaking the same language, a different mindset would confuse the words.
• Unity is usually good, but if it is against GOD, it is terrible.

 

GOD seemed to focus on a period of time when great leaders like Nimrod, got together and agreed to stay in one place. Instead of tents, they agreed to create something permanent. This structure would defy GOD by being large enough to withstand any flood. This ignored the promise that GOD would not flood the earth.

 

Their defiance went further by making a permanent structure versus going out to all parts of the earth. A unified mindset against GOD was the problem that HE may have been pointing out. They did not know that their unity played right into the hands of Satan, who wanted humans to bow down to him. His plan seemed to be working. They wanted a name or power to rule GOD. BUT GOD had a solution. Scatter the people.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD focus in on one city and one building to Moses?
• Have you ever wanted to fit in with the crowd without assessing if they were following GOD or not?
• Have you asked GOD for discernment so you can become brave enough to question your motives and crowds?

Influenced

Influenced

Genesis 9: ²⁰ And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. ²¹ Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. ²² And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. ²³ But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.

 

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Decades after the flood, the ark was still there as a reminder of what GOD had done. Some may have studied the design to be ready for another flood, not knowing GOD’s promise. They may have even stolen pieces of the ark to use in their own construction. After a while Noah’s grandson Canaan grew in power, not listening to the stories of the great flood.

 

Canaan had possibly become an influencer, convincing even his own father to participate in rituals and actions that ridiculed GOD. “Who told you that you were naked? “, was the question GOD asked Adam and Eve getting them to self-assess their act of disobedience. Canaan may have ridiculed this question from GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Even when humanity was started over, misunderstandings of GOD took people away from HIM.
• Sin nature caused some people to move away from GOD by his or her own choice.
• GOD loved, provided and showed extreme patience, but humans saw GOD as a set of rules, keeping them from doing as they pleased.

 

“What about Ham?”, one may ask. He was the one who saw his father naked. But Ham may have been influenced by his son Canaan who possibly had spoken against GOD. Shem and Japeth did not seem to be influenced by Canaan or the culture he was building.

 

GOD saw and sees the cultures pull from HIM. HE shows incredible patience and HE meant what HE said about not destroying humanity with a flood anymore. HE allowed humans to do as they pleased for a season, knowing all would have to face HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD keep mentioning Canaan, even though Ham, Shem and Japeth had other children?
• Are there ways and timing of GOD that you disagree with?
• Will you surrender your possible influenced expectations of GOD so HE can guide you to the truth today?