Our Towers

Genesis 11:4,  "Then they said, come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

    Author Warren Wiersbe calls the tower of Babel "one of the most arrogant revolts against God anywhere in the Scripture."  God had commanded the people to be fruitful and multiply and scatter across the earth, but instead they moved to the city of Babylon with the intention of settling there together.

    The tower of Babel was the forerunner of modern day Humanism, which is the deification of man and the exclusion of God.  Anne Graham Lotz wrote, "The stated purpose was to make a name for themselves--to elevate man and his accomplishments above anything else."  Karl Barth, a twentieth century theologian, said that all religion is man reaching up to God in his own way, according to his own terms, on his own merit, in his own strength.  Christianity alone is God reaching down to man."

    The tower of Babel was built with bricks.  Bricks are made from hardened clay, a fitting symbol for mankind.

    In one sense, Pentecost was a reversal of the tower of Babel, because the people in Jerusalem that day each heard Peter's message in his own language.  One day all the people from every tribe and nation will praise God in heaven with one voice, and the judgment of Babel will no longer be in effect.

    There are people in every generation who build their own humanistic towers.  But, any person who rebels against God is fighting a losing battle.  As Thomas a Kempis wrote, Man proposes, but God disposes."  An expanded version of that proverb says,  "Man does what he can.  God does what He will."  Proverbs 19:21 underlines that thought when it say,  "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

    Are there any towers of rebellion or self reliance in your life today?  If so, what will you do about them?

Father, may my life be all about You rather than all about me.  May I tear down any tower of rebellion or self reliance that ever enters my life and depend completely and entirely on You.  Amen.