Thesis: To teach the hearer that faith, obedience and humility are all essentials in the sight of God.
Text: Gen 11:1-9
Introduction,
Today we will be looking at the account concerning “the tower of Babel,” this took place about 100 years after the flood (according to calculations based upon the genealogies and ages in our near text), during the days of “Peleg” (Gen 10:25)
Gen 10:25 And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg. For in his days was the earth divided . . .
The name “Peleg” literally means “Division” and I believe this (Gen 10:25) refers to the dividing and scattering of the people in Genesis chapter 11:1-9 (and could also include the literal dividing of the continents), thus this helps us to pinpoint the time of this (these) event(s).
As we go through the text we should take note of the actions and purposes of the people, for some reason many individuals attempt to keep the truth of God out of “their” lives (at least for the most part) and are content to accomplish “their” purposes, “their” wills be done, even though many times it may be in direct conflict with the commands of God.
This can be seen in our own supposedly “one nation under God,” most God fearing individuals in this country will acknowledge that God does not approve of murdering another human being (Ex 20:13; Rom 13:9; Rev 21:8),
Exo 20:13 "You shall not murder (kill).
Rom 13:9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder (kill), You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
Yet in so called human wisdom and in the advancement of self-based personal rights, this country has made it lawful for millions of tiny helpless infants to be slaughtered in the very wombs that God created to protect them during the early stages of their lives.
This is just one of many examples where we can see the supposed followers of Christ turning away from truths of the sound doctrine as prophesied of in (2 Tim 4:3-4) . . .
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
2Ti 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
We need to understand that God’s word is clear and concise, even though many attempt to twist it, and that to their own destruction, basically this takes place because they are ignorant of God’s ways and do not spend much time in the more difficult points of the word of God (2 Pet 3:16).
2Pe 3:16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
For God’s word will be that standard by which all will be judged, whether we believe it or not, whether we are ignorant of it or not (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12).
Joh 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Rom 2:16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Therefore today as we go through our text we will look at how our unchanging God (Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8; Ja 1:17) deals with the problems that mankind concocts and how He ultimately accomplishes His will despite the efforts of certain individuals, who are clearly seen fighting against God (Acts 5:39).
Specifically we will look at . . .
1) The purpose of the people (Gen 11:1-4)
2) The conclusion of God (Gen 11:5-6)
3) The action of God (Gen 11:7-9)
I. THE PURPOSE OF THE PEOPLE (Gen 11:1-4)
A. (Gen 11:1)
Gen 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language and of one speech. (ASV)
Gen 11:1 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. (ESV)
The last chapter (ch 10) in the Genesis account explained to us where the various nations that exist upon the earth came from (Noah’s sons – Shem, Ham, and Japheth). Here the inspired penman (Moses) tells us exactly what prompted their moving to differing areas of the globe.
It states here that the “whole earth” (i.e. the entire human race) was of one language and one speech (the same words; ESV). These two terms are not synonymous, nor an example of Hebrew parallelism, but literally it states that entire race was of “one lip and of one stock of words.”
In other words there was no other language, just one, and they pronounced their words all in the same manner (there were no differences in the articulations of words, such as one today may say ba-ttrey and another ba-tter-ry), and there were no words that were only used by certain individuals and not another, those that were no longer infants and knew how to speak would never be heard saying “what does that word mean?” They all knew every word used by every one at that time.
Thus this common factor enabled them to accomplish more smoothly that which they purposed (which one would hope would be the will of God; 1 Cor 1:31; 10:31), but as we will see, this was not the case.
It is a sad situation that is oftentimes seen in our days and in most days that when mankind is enabled, blessed by God to do thus and so, it usually seems that thus and so is after the will of man “first” and “then” of God, we need to remember the words of our Lord concerning our priorities (Mt 6:33)
Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
The reason that this does not take place is because most have forgotten or are willfully ignorant of the purpose that which mankind was brought forth out of the dust of the ground (Ps 100:3; Eccl 12:13; Isa 43:7; Rom 11:36; Col 1:16; Rev 4:11).
Psa 100:3 Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Ecc 12:13 This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
Isa 43:7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
This language which was spoken at that time was no doubt that which God miraculously enabled Adam and Eve to speak in the beginning of Creation (Jasher 1:2), which was then in turn, taught to their descendants, some scholars think it is the ancient form of the Hebrew dialect, it is believed that not only humans, but all creation, animals, angels, etc. all spoke this same language, this conclusion is based upon tradition (apocryphal books), and it certainly could be true.
Also it is interesting that the animals mouths were closed by God after the serpent (led by Satan) enticed the woman through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life to sin against God (Jub 3:28)
Jub 3:28 And on that day was closed the mouth of all beasts, and of cattle, and of birds, and of whatever walks, and of whatever moves, so that they could no longer speak: for they had all spoken one with another with one lip and with one tongue.
B. (Gen 11:2)
Gen 11:2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. (ASV)
Gen 11:2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. (ESV)
The descendants of Noah were apparently sticking together, wandering from place to place, they journeyed eastward, and they came to a plain in the land of Shinar, it would seem likely that this area provided good fertile land for the growing of crops (as many valleys do), thus they decided to settle there.
This area is about 500 miles southeast of the mountains of Ararat where the ark rested (Gen 8:4), the land of Shinar is in the southern part of Mesopotamia, which was later known as Babylonia and roughly corresponds with our modern day Iraq.
It’s important to note at this point that God had commanded them to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Gen 9:1), thus they were to disperse throughout all the earth and repopulate it, they were not to stick together and to increase in number as a group, but rather grow into innumerable groups, all under the headship of God, as He gives direction, united under Him, strong in spirit, but not so strong in the flesh, they were to depend on and have faith in God while they lived according to His instructions which were handed down from God through Enoch to Noah, today we may say there is strength in numbers, but the truth is, the truth strength lies in God and being in fellowship with Him (Zec 4:6; Eph 6:10).
Zec 4:6 Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
The same concept can be seen today in NT Christianity, God (Christ) is to be the head over everything of each individual congregation (Eph 1:22; 5:23) through the word (John 17:20-21).
Eph 1:22 and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church,
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.
Joh 17:20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
Joh 17:21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
And elderships (when qualified men are available) are to tend only to the Christians among them and no more (1 Pet 5:2; Acts 20:32).
1Pe 5:2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
Act 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Some think this is one of the first places that the church apostatized after the death of the apostles; first came a distinction within the eldership, then said elders began to exercise rule in congregations other than the one they were part of, this eventually led to the unscriptural system of hierarchy that we see today in the apostate church, which has a pope as their head.
But with the house church model as seen in the NT (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phile 2) instead of the building model which came to us from pagans via the Roman church, it is easy to see how a multiplicity of house churches may be in one area and oversighted by an eldership who are chosen men from this group of congregations, and would make it more likely to find qualified men, also this would make Tit 1:5 to be clearly understood (Tit 1:5) . . .
Tit 1:5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town (city; NASB) as I directed you—
But whatever we believe it is clear that it is “Christ’s” church, the one “He” promised to build and did build through the apostles in the 1st century (Mt 16:18), only has “Him” as head, there is no authority nor reason for a home office, our home office is in heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Mt 28:18).
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority has been given unto me in heaven and on earth.
And everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), concerning the one Faith (Eph 4:5) has already been settled in heaven (Ps 119:89), and once for all time delivered to the saints (Jude 3), and we have it recorded in the NT of our bibles.
And also the size and the influence of the individual congregations of the 1st century were limited for the fact that they met exclusively in member’s homes (Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phile 2), until the joining of church and state under Constantine in the early to mid 300’s.
Yet men in their wisdom have sought out a different plan, one that is not of God, giant congregations, huge physical responsibilities, many times joining together and breaking autonomy as the bible teaches, in doing this they have rejected the will of God in this matter, and I don’t believe it is pleasing to the Most High.
NT autonomy keeps the truth encapsulated among smaller congregations, as well as error, they have God and His word, that is all they need, this is God’s plan (Acts 20:28).
Act 20:32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
In the 1st century the focus was not on congregational growth, but rather on the establishing of individual congregations, that should be our focus today, teach them the truth, give them a bible, and let them grow spiritually (Acts 20:32), not numerically, that will slowly come over time if it be the will of the LORD, generally speaking the Faith grew within families, households.
C. (Gen 11:3-4a)
Gen 11:3 And they said one to another, Come, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.
Gen 11:4a And they said, Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven,
(ASV)
Gen 11:3 And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar.
Gen 11:4a Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, (ESV)
Gen 11:3 They said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.
Gen 11:4a They said, "Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, (NASB)
Here is a call to unity “come, let us make bricks . . . come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top will reach into heaven” (or “the heavens” which includes “heaven” the third heaven, God’s dwelling place).
We need to understand what is going on at this time, these were attempting to be “makers” “builders” and they were going to exalt themselves, they were going to get to heaven, their way, not through the obedience of faith, but in opposition to the forces of heaven itself, i.e. God (Pro14:12).
Pro 14:12 There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
But it is God’s way, through the Way, that individuals get to heaven, and today that is through Christ and His gospel (John 14:6; Rom 8:33)
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Also at this point in God’s creation, all the building, all the making, was to be done according to God’s orchestration, He was in the process of repopulating the earth looking forward to the coming of Christ for the redemption of humanity (Gen 9:1), in fact if a person even hewed (chiseled or carved) a rock weathered by God’s working in creation, it was considered polluted when used in worship unto God (Ex 20:25; Deut 27:5-6; Jos 8:31).
Exo 20:25 If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane (pollute) it.
This is the reason I believe God had Moses take off his shoes in Ex 3:5.
Exo 3:5 Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
Not because it was a show of respect according to eastern custom, God does not lower Himself to the traditions of men, but because God was trying to keep creation pristine, the way He made it, man was not made with shoes, nor does he need shoes, shoes are man’s idea, not God’s, and Moses was going to approach God according to His divine will, the way God intended him to approach Him.
Our unchanging God’s expects His people today to do things His way, and to think His way, and we can take this lesson over to all the polluted worship that is offered up to God today according to the will of men (Mt 15:9; Col 2:23), and not the simple commands of God (John 4:24).
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
The prophet Malachi wrote of a day when the followers of Jehovah would offer up worship His way, (“a pure offering”) and that day is today (Mal 1:11).
Mal 1:11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.
We sing, we pray, we preach, we learn, we give, we get, and that’s about it; the Way, the Faith, (Christianity) is to be simple and pure, not mixed with law of Moses nor the traditions of men, nor the ways of the world (2 Cor 11:3; Col 2:8. 1 Jn 2:15-17).
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward (in; YLT) Christ.
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the (lust) desires of the flesh and the (lust) desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its (lust) desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
This is the first city we see built aside from that which is seen in the lineage of Cain, those ousted from the presence of God, who built cities named after “themselves” (Gen 4:17), again, this was not God’s plan from the beginning, instead the sons of God were to be sojourners in creation, who lived in temporary dwellings, knowing that this world was not their true home (Heb 11:8-10).
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Heb 11:9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.
Heb 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
a. Where is our focus today? Are we more concerned about earthly things, things that perish, joining together to accomplish earthly goals, looking for earthly treasures, minding the things of the flesh, instead of things of the Spirit, the things of the earth instead of the things above, remember the words of the Lord (Mt 6:19-21).
Mat 6:19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
Mat 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
D. (Gen 11:4b)
Gen 11:4 and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
(ASV)
Gen 11:4b and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed (ESV)
Gen 11:4b and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth." (NASB)
Here is the underlying purpose of this disobeying in unison, to make “themselves” a name, to promote “self” glorification, pride, exaltation of man in his efforts, and that in direct defiance to God’s command in Gen 9:1 to replenish/fill the earth.
There are two things we really need to keep in mind concerning boasting, pride, lifting one’s self up . . .
First, everything thing we have and are (except for sin) comes from God, as it is written (John 3:27; 19:11a; 1 Cor 4:7; Ja 1:17a; Job 1:21) . . .
Joh 3:27 . . . A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.
Joh 19:11a Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.
1Co 4:7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
Jam 1:17a Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,
Job 1:21b The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be (speak well of) the name of (the authority of, the sovereign actions of) LORD."
God’s knows this, and His people ought to be constantly aware of it,
Second, pride, haughtiness, the lifting up of one’s self is on a list of God’s that we do not want to be partakers of (Pro 6:16-19).
Pro 6:16 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
Pro 6:17 haughty eyes . . .
“Haughty eyes” are number one on God’s hate list, and they come from a prideful heart, this cannot be our attitude, we are to be “poor” “lowly” humble, contrite in spirit, we need to be aware of our standing before the Most High, we are pots, not the Potter (Isa 66:2; Mt 5:3) . . .
Isa 66:2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
We must consider ourselves blessed, yet unprofitable, unworthy servants of God, as the Lord states in Luke 17:10 (Luke 17:7-10).
Luk 17:7 "Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'?
Luk 17:8 Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'?
Luk 17:9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?
Luk 17:10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"
Here is what we are do to be exalted (Ja 4:10).
Jam 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Humility is what made Daniel so loved of God (Dan 10:11-12).
Dan 10:11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
Dan 10:12 Then he said to me, "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
And humility is essential to our spiritual welfare in like manner (Mt 18:4; 23:12).
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.
It is well stated in Jer 9:23-24 (turn there) . . .
Jer 9:23 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,
Jer 9:24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
j. This should be the “purpose” of/for God’s people today.
II. THE CONCLUSION OF GOD (Gen 11:5-6)
A. (Gen 11:5)
Gen 11:5 And Jehovah came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. (ASV)
Gen 11:5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. (ESV)
The fact that God knows all and sees all is plainly taught in the bible (Ps 139:1-12; Pro 15:3).
Pro 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
The reason this kind of language is put here is to show the great contrast between the creatures and the Creator, the pots of the Potter were in rebellion, they were going to do “their” will, “their” way, “they” were going to build a city and a tower that lifts up into the sky, so high that it would reach into heaven itself, “they” were not going to disperse and repopulate the earth, but rather stick together and make a name for “themselves”, yet in all their work, all their unity, all their efforts, were but folly, God couldn’t even see it, He still had to “come down to see” they were not even close, nor could they ever be, we need to understand that God is so high, so mighty, so holy, that He lowers Himself just to take notice of the high things of this realm (Ps 113:4-6; 1 Cor 1:27-29).
Psa 113:4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens (the sky and outer space)!
Psa 113:5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
Psa 113:6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
What is going on here is God knew what was taking place (just like Sodom and Gomorrah; Gen 18:21), and He is going to deal with this problem (as He did with in Gen 19), He is going to fix the errors of men, keep in mind God is over all (Eph 4:6), some things He allows, some things He don’t.
B. (Gen 11:6)
Gen 11:6 And Jehovah said, Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do: and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do.
(ASV)
Gen 11:6 And the LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. (ESV)
The people were “one” in their rebellion, the “one language” that God gave them to be united “under Him” was being used against Him, to do “their” will, not His, we need to remember the opening words of the model prayer as taught by Christ (Mt 6:9-10).
Mat 6:9 . . ."Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Mat 6:10 Your kingdom come, YOUR will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Doing the will of the Father is to be number one on our list (Mt 7:21; 12:50; 26:42; John 4:34; Rom 12:2; Eph 6:6; 1 Thess 4:3; 5:19; 1 Pet 4:2) . . .
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom from heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven. (ISV)
Mat 12:50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
Mat 26:42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."
Joh 4:34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
Rom 12:2 And do not fashion yourselves after this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and well pleasing and perfect will of God.
Eph 6:6 not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
1Pe 4:2 that he no longer should live the remaining time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires (lust) of the flesh and the desires (lust) of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires (lusts), but whoever does (continues doing) the will of God abides forever.
Yet these in out text were not doing the will of God, and their evil left unchecked would lead again to the demise of the race, because God would intervene, unity is good, but only if it’s doing the will of God (Eph 4:4-6).
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
It is easy to bring this type of error over into our day, God gave us many abilities, but did we use them properly, or did we use them improperly?
Are genetic modifications to plants, animals, and people for our good, or for our ultimate demise? Innumerable cancers, autoimmune diseases, we have not fed the people of the world, but rather killed them, many nations across the world are, and have banned GMO’s, yet this country, “mystery Babylon” has not, but rather promotes death to the many, so the few can line their pockets with gold, but God will deal with this, it can be read of in the book of Revelation, we will either repent and correct ourselves, or God will correct us.
Is the splitting of the atom, nuclear power, nuclear bombs, good things? Or are they for our ultimate demise? Chernobyl, Fukashima, have poisoned their areas of the world for hundreds, if not thousands of years, the pacific ocean is dying and that poison is coming this way, our propagandist media is keeping secret all the nuclear power plants in our country that are old, leaking, and are just time bombs waiting to destroy future generations, are modern conveniences really worth all this?
Wouldn’t be wiser to not have electricity, to eat plants that grow in the wild, to live simpler, purer, more difficult lives? What have we gained from these things? Nothing! But to have separated ourselves all the more from doing and from wanting to do the will of God.
Today we can only be pleasing unto God being united under Him through the New Covenant as prayed for by the Lord (John 17:20-21a).
Joh 17:20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, (which is God’s word; John 17:8)
Joh 17:21a that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us,
This should be our conclusion as it is God’s, we are not to be united under the evil people of the world, or false Christians promoting sin and worldliness.
Not under a creed, a catechism, a prayer manual, an unauthorized body of men, or in diversity; but under God, under Christ, according to once and for all time delivered faith (Jude 3), the simple and pure gospel of Christ.
God’s power, not man’s (Rom 1:16), God’s wisdom, not man’s (1 Cor 1:25-29), for this is the will, and thus “the conclusion of God,” it is the proverbial bottom line (1 Jn 2:17) . . .
1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires (lusts), but whoever does (continues doing; is practicing) the will of God abides forever.
III. THE ACTION OF GOD (Gen 11:7-9)
A. (Gen 11:7)
Gen 11:7 Come, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. (ASV)
Gen 11:7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech." (ESV)
Note the wording in verse 3, “come, let us,” and in verse 4, “come, let us” this denotes “united action” on the part of the people, here we see this language attributed to God, for God is united, He is one (Deut 6:4; Mk 12:29; Ja 2:19).
Mar 12:29 Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one:
Jas 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Yet God, the Godhead, He is often depicted in the biblical text as a plurality, as here and in other places (Gen 1:26; 3:22-23; Eccl 12:1 (YTL); Isa 6:8; 9:6).
Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Gen 3:22 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—"
Ecc 12:1 Remember also thy Creators in days of thy youth, While that the evil days come not, Nor the years have arrived, that thou sayest, `I have no pleasure in them.' (YLT)
Isa 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
In fact in the very beginning of God’s word (Gen 1:1), it is written . . .
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created . . .
The word “God” here in the Hebrew language is “Elohim” it is plural, it denotes a plurality, the “Godhead,” the “Divine Nature” (Acts 17:29; Rom 1:20; Col 2:9; 2 Pet 1:3-4).
Act 17:29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. (ASV)
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead (Divinity; ASV); so that they are without excuse (KJV)
Col 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (EMTV)
2Pe 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
2Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire (lust).
Yet the word “created” (in Gen 1:1)“bara” is singular, in reference to the act of creation; thus we see God (Father, Son [Word], Spirit united together; as One) in the creation account.
The Godhead can be clearly seen and distinguished in the NT also . . .
The Son was baptized, the Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and the Father spoke from heaven (Mt 3:16-17).
One is baptized “into the name” (ASV; “into the possession”) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit in great commission baptism (Mt 28:19), the “one baptism” (Eph 4:5) that continues to this day.
The book of Revelation originated from the Father, Son and Spirit (Rev 1:4-5).
The Father is God (Eph 4:6), the Son is God (John 1:1; 8:24, 28, 58; Heb 1:8), and the Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4).
All united in that which the bible refers to as the Godhead, or the Divine Nature, or Divinity (Acts 17:29; Rom 1:20; Col 2:9; 1 Pet 1:3-4), yet the word “Trinity” is not a biblical term; we need to speak as the oracles of God, as instructed by God (1 Pet 4:11a; 1 Cor 4:6b), not according to the wisdom of men.
1Pe 4:11a If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;
1Co 4:6b that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written,
And in our text, God united as One (as mankind is also pictured united as one by the phrase “come, let us”) is going to go waaaaayyy down!!! To this lowly work of men and deal with it, that which God gave (one language and one speech) He was also going to take away, and that, for their own good.
We need to always keep in mind the sovereignty of God, He is in charge, His will is going to be accomplished, one way or another, because, as Job stated (Job 1:21b) . . .
Job 1:21b The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
The end of Job 1:21 can be paraphrase as such “God gives and God takes away, let us always speak well of His sovereign rule over His creation”, no matter how trying the circumstances seem, let us keep in mind, He is in charge.
God’s power has not diminished, nor has His opposition to man’s rebellion, throughout the centuries He has brought destruction to such rebellious civilizations such as Sodom and Gomorrah, Tyre, Sidon, Nineveh, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, the so called Holy Roman Empire, Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, communist Russia, and also the USA and the west (NATO; today’s neo-nazis) are on a swift road to destruction itself if it does not change its current path, for (Ps 33:12a) . . .
Psa 33:12a Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah (Yaweh)
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Therefore “come, let us” as Christians be the salt and light (Mt 5:13-16) that keeps God from destroying this nation, as He has so many others, holding forth and holding to God’s living and active word (Phili 2:15-16a).
Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Php 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Php 2:16a holding fast to (forth; ASV) the word of life,
Because (Dan 4:25b) . . .
Dan 4:25b the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.
B. (Gen 11:8)
Gen 11:8 So the LORD dispersed (scattered) them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. (ESV)
The Lord’s plan worked perfectly, their language was confounded, confused (probably according to the family lines of Shem, Ham, and Japheth; Gen ch 10), and they were in this manner scattered, dispersed as commanded in Gen 9:1.
It didn’t seem like the best way to man, it would be more difficult according to the wisdom of men, but it was for the ultimate good of mankind, God was slowly bringing about the plan of redemption, and it would come to pass, His will, His way, in the fulness of time (Gal 4:4).
We could move up in time to the Christian age and see basically the same thing, God sent Christians in the 1st century according to the great commission (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15; Acts 1:8), yet they still didn’t go, until He dispersed them through persecutions (Acts 8:1), then they went.
The same is true today, man in his wisdom is still attempting to do things his way, to re-organize Christ’s church, attempting to redefine sin, twisting the scriptures to their own destruction.
Perhaps it’s time for God to come down and intervene again, with war, or some type of colossal catastrophe, if that happens it will seem very terrible to those of the world, but with us who have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), we will see God working to bring about His will, to purify His people from the pollutions of this world.
And those who are the good ground, those with good and honest hearts (Luke 8:15) will read that word, and attempt to do it to the best of their God given abilities, they will leave off the building of the churches on men and enter into the church that Christ already built back in the 1st century, and realize that as His perfect bride, it needs no help, its design was amazingly perfect in those days, and it is to this day.
Thus will come about small dispersed, scattered congregations, all according to God’s eternal purpose, let us teach and pray for the truth to go forth, for it will come to pass according to the power of “scriptural prayer,” that which is aligned with God’s will, God’s purposes (1 John 5:14-15; John 16:24).
1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Joh 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name (in the realm of Christ’s authority):. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
C. (Gen 11:9)
Gen 11:9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed (scattered) them over the face of all the earth. (ESV)
The name of the place was called “Babel” because of the confusing of the languages, it was later called “Babylon,” and we have a similar word today that has a similar meaning “babble.”
Thus here is the account of how “Babylon” got its name, a name that signifies those against God, a name that has been on tongues for generations, and still teaches the truth and the power of God.
What about these men that were going to make a name for themselves, is their name on every tongue? Sure, one can do a study in the apocrypha on this event and learn that a man named Nimrod was behind it (Gen 10:8-10), who was the leader, yet he is not mentioned in connection with the biblical account.
They are only known “collectively” as seen in this text, (“let us make us a name”) and as rebels, that were dealt with accordingly by the Almighty, Jehovah, Yahweh, God, Whose name is known throughout the earth, Whose will and promises will come to pass, one of which is that of redemption, being saved unto the hope of eternal life (Tit 1:2) . . .
Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began. (ESV)
And that promise is as sure today as in the days it was given, and it is acquired in the same manner, the Way, the Faith of Christ is no evolving entity (Jude 3). . .
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17) this how the Father plants the word, the seed of the kingdom (Lk 8:11), within the good ground, that good, honest and open heart.
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, and that we have a living hope of following Him (1 Cor 15:1-4; 23; 1 Pet 1:3-4), belief (faith) is the crossover point (Jn 5:24) wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15)
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
And one is not to stop there, but continue in the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) . . .
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, a life
that is likened unto Christ’s (Jn 14:6; 1 Cor 11:1)
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ to others (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), if you are ashamed of Christ and His words, He will be ashamed of you on That Day (Luke 9:26), this is how God propagates His kingdom (Mt 28:19-20).
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), it is the point where one is to be dead to the practice of sin and alive unto God (Rom 6:1-11).
And finally one is to . . . Live a holy life (1 Pet 1:15), and “knowing” what being “holy” is, “separated” “from” the ways of the world and “to” the Way of God (2 Cor 6:14-7:1), doing, practicing the will of the Father, being “doers” of the word (Ja 1:22) in order that you won’t have your name blotted out the book of life (Rev 3:5), that you may enter into the eternal phase of the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:10-11)
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
2Pe 1:11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.