Faith in the Journey - Pt. 3

 

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 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. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 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. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:1-9 ESV).

 

From time to time I stumble on to things that defy explanation and credulity. The picture I’ve included is a part of an advertisement for “Power and Prestige Oil”. the product description is: “Our customers tell us the fragrance ALONE of this mysterious oil makes them feel invincible. Some have said that without doing anything else differently, their friends claim to see an amazing change in the way they carry themselves. We cannot guarantee that our Power and Prestige Oil will make you rich and famous, but it will definitely give you a major edge in the process.” Please… I absolutely do not endorse this product; however, doesn’t it make you go “Really?”

 

Well, the desire for power, prestige, and fame go way back in human history. Our reading tells us the early story of such a quest. God created people so that they would increase in numbers and populate the earth. At the time of the tower of Babel, everyone had the same language, and the people said they wanted to make a name for themselves and not be scattered across the earth. They said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens. . . .” From ancient civilizations we have learned that the top of a tower was seen as a holy place where gods lived. But instead of having a holy place that would honor the God, the people at Babel wanted this to be a place where they made a name for themselves. They wanted to honor themselves instead of God. In doing so, they banished God from their lives and disobeyed his command to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). Because of this rebellion, God confused their language and scattered them.

 

We should take great care in our journey never to put ourselves before God. Whatever accolades and honors are bestowed on us, seek the humility of faith before our great God and Savior. That will build faith in your journey.