Genesis 11:1-8

July 10, 2018

Potential Discussion Questions:-

What is happening in this passage? - Are people preparing a rebellion against God?

Dissatisfied by life, here people started taking things into their own hands, instead of seeking & trusting God for life (Genesis 11:4).

They embarked on a plan that was not inspired from God. As a matter of fact it was a rebellion (against God) in making. As, remember - God wants to be at the center of all our plans / God wants to be the leader of all our plans (i.e., Exodus 20:3, etc). This undertaking also reminds of how Satan rebelled by setting out to compete with God, his maker.

Talking of rebellion, why do many reject the authority of God? (Given that God is a perfect Father, full of grace, mercy and love)?

Some relevant passages:-

1 Corinthians 4:4:- "the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. "

Ephesians 2:2-3:- " As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time,gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. "

What is better:- To be under authority of God OR to be independent of any authority and live on your own terms?

Here people wanted to make a name for themselves and reach heaven. Why did God had problem with that?

About, specifically what they were trying to do:-

They were trying to break-free from God - They wanted to become independent of God, instead of being dependent on God.
They wanted to compete with God, like Satan wanted.
Both of above are terrible ideas for a human. A human can only be blessed by being dependent on God. (i..e, Jesus said - "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. " - Matthew 10:39)

Here we see God thwarting great advancement and ambition from people. Is it bad to pursue great ambition and advancement?

Right, in next Chapter, God promises Abraham: " I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. " (Genesis 12:2). Meaning, our plans and ambitions have to be Spirit-led.

Again, remember Matthew 10:39.

What are the parallels of this story in TODAY's time

In today's time it is quite common for many to be in mad pursuit of power and / or riches. They lack trust in God or like Satan, they want to be like God.

Satan also uses lure of power and riches (i.e., Genesis 3:5, Matthew 4:8-9) to lure people into rebelling against God.

Any more spiritual lessons / insights from the passage?
- There is great power in unity. Here, one of the great concerns were that people will lead a very powerful rebellion against God, if they get united (Genesis 11:6). Today, we Christians are called to be united as One Body in Christ. That is one of the few things Jesus prayed for, before He went to the cross (John 17:23).
- We are reminded that humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), and hence have great potential. Here they tried to abuse that potential by embarking on a rebellion against God (Satan also did so). Instead, we should harness our potential towards the fulfillment of the Church mission - The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).
- The tendency to rebel against God, in humans, continues. We will continue to see this pattern throughout the Old Testament, and in-fact throughout the human history. Judgements from God did not stop them. In the beginning, there was a big rebellion in the Garden of Eden, followed by a BIG judgement from God on humans (Genesis 3). That judgement did not deter another great rebellion, in the form of great wickedness that filled the earth, in few Chapters - Genesis 6:5. There was a BIG judgement again - Genesis 6:7. And now, again here, a rebellion is brewing - Genesis 11:4.