The Story of Babel
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Genesis 11:1-9
1 At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words.
2 As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there.
3 They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.)
4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
5 But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building.
6 “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!
7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”
8 In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city.
9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.
INTRODUCTION:
A- The Background
1- The great sin problem of mankind leads to the great flood (Genesis 6-8)
2- Mankind had evidently not learned their lesson from the judgment of God.
3- Ancient Sumerian text attest to a time when there was a single human language. [1}
4-
B- The Problem
1- There are some sinful problems that we find at Babel that still cause problems today.
2- These sins are found in verse 4.
I- THE SINS OF BABEL (Genesis 11:4)
I- THE SINS OF BABEL (Genesis 11:4)
4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
A- Seeking security without God. (Genesis 11:4 a)
A- Seeking security without God. (Genesis 11:4 a)
4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
1- The initial way that people have provided for their security is to gather together in cities.
(Genesis 10:8-10)
8 Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was the first heroic warrior on earth.
9 Since he was the greatest hunter in the world, his name became proverbial. People would say, “This man is like Nimrod, the greatest hunter in the world.”
10 He built his kingdom in the land of Babylonia, with the cities of Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh.
2- God has always desired for people to find their security in Him.
(Psalm 37:3-5)
3 Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
(Psalm 62:8)
8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude
3- Without faith it is impossible to please God.
(Hebrews 11:6)
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
B- Seeking salvation through self-effort. (Genesis 11:4 b)
B- Seeking salvation through self-effort. (Genesis 11:4 b)
4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
1- The tower was likely a ziggurat (used for religious worship)
a. Note that the tower was to reach “into the sky.” An attempt to reach God on their own terms.
2- Man has had a problem with this attitude since the beginning
a. Adam & Eve (Genesis 3:5-6)
5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.
b. Cain (Genesis 4:3-5)
3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord.
4 Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift,
5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
3- Mankind rejects God in favor of their own ways. (Romans 1:21-23)
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.
22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.
23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
4- There is only one way to God. (John 14:6)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
(Acts 4:12)
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
C- Seeking glory that belongs to God.(Genesis 11:4 c)
C- Seeking glory that belongs to God.(Genesis 11:4 c)
4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
1- Mankind is prone to pride. (1 John 2:16)
16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
2- Pride leads to destruction. (Proverbs 16:18)
18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
3- We are to reject pride and choose humility. (James 4:6)
6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
D- Seeking to avoid obeying God.(Genesis 11:4 d)
D- Seeking to avoid obeying God.(Genesis 11:4 d)
4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
1- God had commanded that the human race spread out and multiply. (Genesis 9:7)
7 Now be fruitful and multiply, and repopulate the earth.”
2- Mankind here makes the conscious choice to disobey God’s direct command.
a. Their goal was to avoid being scattered. (Text).
3- When we purposefully avoid obeying God, it is rebellion and sin.
(James 1:22)
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
(Jeremiah 7:23)
23 This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’
(John 14:15)
15 “If you love me, obey my commandments.
II- THE SHAMEFUL END OF REBELLION. (Genesis 11:5-9)
II- THE SHAMEFUL END OF REBELLION. (Genesis 11:5-9)
5 But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building.
6 “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!
7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”
8 In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city.
9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.
A- The humiliation of realizing that we’re not that great. (Genesis 11:5)
A- The humiliation of realizing that we’re not that great. (Genesis 11:5)
5 But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building.
1- The Lord had to “come down” to see the city and the tower.”
a. It was not as magnificent as people thought.
b. The idea of the text is that it was pretty puny in God’s eyes.
2- Anything that mankind uses to elevate his own importance is futile.
(Ecclesiastes 2:11)
11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
3- All of the good we try to do apart from God is wasted. (Isa. 64:6)
6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
4. God is not the least bit impressed with our puny efforts.
B- The recognition that we are not as wise as we think we are. (Genesis 11:7,9)
B- The recognition that we are not as wise as we think we are. (Genesis 11:7,9)
7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”
9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.
1- Mankind has a pride problem.
a. He thinks he is wise, when he is a fool.
(Romans 1:22)
22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.
(Psalm 14:1)
1 Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!
(1 Corinthians 3:18-19)
18 Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.”
C- The realization that we can’t stop God’s will. (Genesis 11:8-9)
C- The realization that we can’t stop God’s will. (Genesis 11:8-9)
8 In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city.
9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.
1- God’s will is going to be accomplished, in spite of all human effort.
(Isaiah 46:10)
10 Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
(Psalm 33:11)
11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.
(Proverbs 21:30)
30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.
2- Our only choice is if we will submit to his will and be a part of his kingdom.
(Ephesians 5:17)
17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
(Galatians 2:20)
20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
D- The reminder that our security can’t be found outside of God. (Genesis 11:8)
8 In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city.
1- The people of Babel discovered that God was their only security.
a. They could not provide their own security.
b. They stopped building the city.
2. You and I are urged to quit trusting in ourselves or men for our security.
(Psalm 118:9-9)
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.
(Jeremiah 17:5-8)
5 This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land.
7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
3. We are to trust in the Lord.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
(Psalm 62:5-8)
5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude
CONCLUSION:
ANGELS ON ASSIGNMENT
This happened in 1956 during the Mau Mau uprisings in East Africa. The story is told by veteran missionary Morris Plotts.
A band of roving Mau Maus came to the village of Lauri, surrounded it, and killed every inhabitant, including women and children three hundred people in all. Not more than three miles away was the Rift Valley Academy, a private boarding school where children were being educated while their missionary parents worked elsewhere. Immediately upon leaving the carnage at Lauri the Mau Maus came with spears, clubs, torches, and bows and arrows to the school, bent on destruction.
You can imagine the fear of those children at the school. Word had already reached them about the destruction of Lauri. There was no place to flee. The only resource was prayer.
Out in the night, lighted torches were seen coming toward the school. Soon there was a complete ring of these terrorists about the school, cutting off all avenues of escape. Shouting and curses could be heard coming from the Mau Maus. Then they began to advance on the school, tightening the circle, shouting louder, coming closer. Suddenly, when they were close enough to throw a spear, they stopped. They began to retreat, and soon they were running into the jungle. A call had gone out to the authorities, and an army had been sent in the direction of the school to rescue the inhabitants. But by the time the army arrived, the would-be assassins had dispersed. The army spread out in search of them and captured the entire band of raiding Mau Maus.
Later, before the judge at their trial, the Mau Mau leader was called to the witness stand. The judge asked him, “On this night did you kill the inhabitants of Lauri?”
The leader replied, “Yes.”
“Was it your intent to do the same at the Rift Valley Academy?”
“Yes.”
“Well then,” asked the judge, “why did you not complete the mission? Why didn’t you attack the school?”
The leader, who had never read the Bible and never heard the gospel, replied, “We were on our way to attack and destroy all the people at the school. But as we came closer, all of a sudden between us and the school there were many huge men, dressed in white with flaming swords. We became afraid and we ran to hide!” [2]
[1] Dr. Doug Petrovich, Identifying the Post Babel Dispersion, 2018, YouTube Video.
[2] Hewett, James S., ed. Illustrations Unlimited: A Topical Collection of Hundreds of Stories, Quotations, & Humor for Speakers, Writers, Pastors and Teachers. Tyndale House Publishers, 1988.
