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?
