Genesis 11:1-9 Rebellion #4

God had given Noah and his sons and their wives a command:  “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”  They were growing in number, but a rebellion was taking place about the “filling the earth” part.  They didn’t want to scatter.  Nimrod had built the city of Babylon, and pride was causing the people to want to create a nation-state that would rule a vast territory.  My commentary called this “one of the most arrogant revolts against God recorded anywhere in Scripture.”  Satan would try to make us believe that mankind was achieving greatness and God was wanting to push them back down.

Mankind appears to still have not learned an important lesson:  “Man proposes, but God disposes.”  Other versions include:  “Man does what he can, God does what He will,” and “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand.”  My commentary continues, “God has demonstrated repeatedly that it doesn’t pay to rebel against His will,” and “God in heaven is never perplexed or paralyzed by what people do on earth.”  This confusing of the languages was not a power trip by God to keep humans from becoming all that they could be.  “By confusing their language and scattering them over all the world, God graciously spared their lives and gave them opportunity to return to Him.  He could have destroyed the builders, their city, and their tower, but He chose to let them live.”

God is now at work, through His Holy Spirit, “using the church as an agent of reconciliation to bring things together in Jesus Christ.  The day will come when people from every tribe and nation will worship Jesus Christ and the judgment of Babel will be done away.”

Father, help me not to let pride lead me to places You don’t want me to go.  Keep my heart open to hear Your will for my life.  Correct me gently, and keep me on the path You have set out for me.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford