Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1-9

Background for the Tower

v.2-4

People migrated from the east.

They are finally coming down from the mountains.

It would seem that the people decide to build a tower.

In v.9 the name of this place was called Babel later to be Babylon.

Genesis 10:8-12

In Genesis 10, we see that there was actually a king of Babel.

Nimrod built the cities of Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh.

What we can see is even though God laid the blame on “the people.” It seems that a leader had arisen. The one who is known as a “mighty hunter.”

Who was Nimrod?

He was the first of the “mighty men.”

A term that can be used for good, or for evil.

So close the accounts of the flood, where the term “mighty men” as used to describe the rise of evil and tyranny on the earth would lead us to believe that the term “first mighty man” was not a term of endearing.

In facts, v.11 it states he “went into Assyria.”

Went into is the term for a conquering military power.

Assyria comes from Asshur, one of the descendants of Shem.

Nimrod, went in by force to conquer an area, then he built 4 more cities in that area.

Nimrod’s name means, “we will rebel.”

So was Nimrod involved in instigating the rebellion against God with the tower of Babel, yes, I would believe so.

Josephus states:

Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God.

It would seem that the evidence points to Nimrod being:

a king who desired to exult himself,

who desired to conquer with tyranny

build an extensive kingdom by his own might.

Nimrod may have been a mighty man, but not in the right way.

Contrast this to Jesus,

The perfect view of a “mighty man.”

Though He was God, emptied himself by taking the form of a servant.

Jesus conquered by laying down his life.

God the Father exalts Jesus, so every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess.

Jesus, is the type of “mighty man,” who indeed is the “mighty God” spoken of is Isaiah 9:6, that should be served by all.

What was the purpose of the tower?

We see the people building a tower. The question is always why? It’s not enough to know that it displeases God, but why does it displease God.

They may not be scattered

v.4

They wanted a marker, something to unite them.

Inherently, is there something wrong with wanting to be united?

Is it wrong for us to meet here at a church and be united under the cross of Christ? No

But they were not doing this to be united to God, for in doing so they were disobeying God!

Genesis 9:1

They were told to spread out on the earth.

To take dominion of the earth.

By building the tower, they were stating to God, “we will not comply.”

Do we realize that we have been given a similar command? The call to fill the earth!

That is with Godly offspring, but it is also with disciples!

Matthew 28:18–19 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

When Jesus died and rose from the dead, he took control of this world!

Col 2:15 “15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

Colossians 2:15 ESV

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Jesus has bound the strong one, and is plundering his house.

This is what is meant when Jesus says, “All authority has been given to me.”

After this, He ascended on high until all his enemies are made his footstool.

Because all authority has be given to Him, he commands us, “be fruitful!”

Make disciples

God is going before you! Are we only building our own proverbial tower refusing to GO!

Is the only time you talk about God in church.

Is the only time you discuss God in church.

We are builders of the kingdom! Go and do it!

It’s top to the heavens

Why would they build the tower to the heaven’s? What would be the point of such a thing?

To survive another flood

God had promised that he wouldn’t send another flood, but according to some historians they believed that if God sent another flood, they would be able to flee to the tower to survive it.

What they were saying is, “we can be as evil as we want, and God can’t judge us.”

We can flee to the tower to escape the wrath to come!

Do you see that the mind of man hasn’t changed?

People still don’t believe their wicked deeds will be judged.

You have been chosen by God. You are loved by God and are treasured by God. You are his adored child!

With being chose, means you have been chosen to bring God’s light to people who don’t know their left hand from their right.

They don’t see that “building a tower” won’t save them from the wrath to come.

Being a good person, will not save them from the wrath to come.

Sitting in church, will not save you from the wrath to come.

Only knowing God, and bearing fruit that comes from a true relationship with Him.

That is what saves us from the wrath to come.

To ascend to the place of God

It is thought that the people may have believed that if they rose high enough, they could get to heaven.

Josephus states,

Nimrod said that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers!

Nimrod believed that he could fight God....and win.

Psalms 2:1

v.1-3

People believing that they will conquer God. That they can burst their bonds.

v.4

The Lord, laughs

No matter how strong people are, they are not powerful enough to defeat God.

Man cannot ascend to God, much less win.

v.5

God came down.

God is showing the futility of man in their best efforts.

This is stating that God is unjust, and that you are the one who will bring justice.

Once again, this is holding to a low view of who God is.

We must study, and come to realize how great our God is.

What was the consequence?

God sees again, just like in Gen 8:21 that the “intentions of man’s heart is evil from his youth.”

Rather than sending a flood, God confuses their languages.

This is interesting, and it shows the evil that is within man.

They could have worked through the language barrier if they would have tried.

Confusing the language of man was something that probably could have been rectified.

Yet it causes them to spread out across the earth, why?

If you have a culture of tyranny, then you have differences, you get persecution among the minorities.

When you are in Christ, we should have a complete reversal of this curse!

Eph 2 14 “14 For Christ himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” Gal 3 28 “28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Eph 2 15-16 For Christ “create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and reconciled us to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.”

When we are in Christ. The effects, not necessarily the language barrier (though that was even accomplished on the day of Pentecost when Peter proclaimed to gospel and everyone heard it in their own language); but the division that came with the tower of Babel is reversed for those who are in Christ.

What we must learn, is that we serve, and are loved by the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Realize that He is awesome and mighty. Serve Him well with all you are.

Homework: Genesis 11:10-12:9