The Tower of Pride

Introduction

When Jenny and I traveled to Greece a few years ago to walk the footsteps of Paul, we encountered some of the greatest structures I’ve ever seen.

My absolute favorite was the Library of Celsus in Ephesus. Even in the state of ruin from its former glory, I stood in awe at the architecture and size knowing that this was not built with modern machinery.

It is believed this structure was about 2,000 square feet and contained some 12,000 scrolls of knowledge from around the world. The flooring would have been completely made of marble slabs.

Even more impressive is the look of it being 2 stories. It was actually a facade as well as ingenuity in construction to reduce humidity to preserve the scrolls it contained.

A close second was the Parthenon in Athens. Again the structure’s size was overwhelming to take in. It didn’t carry the intricacies of the Library of ornate detail in my mind.

Even today we have buildings and structures that are created to display honor, our ingenuity, or a symbol of human achievement. Some have lasted in longevity and some have not.

Another piece of history I am reminded of is the Titanic. The unsinkable ship it was proudly boasted as. It set sail across the Atlantic, strikes and iceberg, kills Jack but not Rose, and sinks to the bottom of the ocean.

Traveling at higher rates of speed and striking an iceberg was enough to cause the hole, but a design flaw caused it to sink faster than it should have. Compartments allowed water to enter in faster and there was not enough lifeboats for the people.

Built in pride, sunk in pride.

Pride is once again revisited in the Genesis narrative of early mankind. Pride in what they have become, who they are, and pride that led them to disobey the Lord.

Why is it revisited once again? Because pride is like the iceberg that can cause us to sink. Our inherit sin nature is a flaw that makes us even more susceptible to sink in pride. Pride was the original sin in fact with Adam and Eve- to be like God. Once again in the history of humanity it rears its ugly head.

Breakdown of the Text

Chapter 10 related to chapter 11

Chapter 10 provides us the lineage of Noah’s 3 sons. I want to note a couple of things from here. First, we would read multiple times that each son’s line expands further out into the world and have their own nations, clans, and language. This leads me to believe that our focus text takes place after the events described in chapter 10.

Further, we learn of Ham’s family line leading to a man named Nimrod. His man means mighty hunter before the Lord, but also carries connotations of a rebel too. It is believed that Nimrod is the proponent of the Tower of Babel situation. His plan was to gather all of humanity under his rule and reign and quite possibly replace himself with God. It is noted that Nimrod is the one who will eventually start the kingdom of Babylon who will be a thorn in the side of Israel.

Genesis 11:1-4

In the first 4 verses we learn that the whole earth, all people carried the same language and vocabulary. They were beginning to fulfill the Lord’s command to fill the earth, but soon find a valley that is good and settle.

From there they decide to make a city and a tower in this land. It is believed this tower would have been a ziggurat structure. We don’t know the entire purpose for this tower, but later they would be built as dwellings for patron gods to come down. Eventually they would become religious epicenters for sacrifice and worship of false gods.

Here, we are just told the people want to make a name for themselves. At the outset this doesn’t sound bad, but once again in the building of a society the mention of honoring and worshiping God is not found. It is for the elevation of humanity it is formed.

It is also believed that the purpose was to keep humanity unified because there is strength in numbers. The tone of it all goes back to Genesis 3- “You will be like God.”

Pride it seems seeks to replace God with one’s self.

Genesis 11:5-9

Ironically as they attempt to build a tower that reaches the heavens it still couldn’t be anywhere near God. He has to come down as the language is used to see what is taking place. I think this is the author’s humorous way to devalue what humanity was doing in relation to God.

I am reminded of the first Avengers movie. In it the character Loki who is deemed a god stands before the Hulk giving this incredible monologue about his power and influence. Hulk simply grabs him and smashes Loki all around the floor. As Loki lies bruised and battered, Hulk says, “Puny god”

This is what I see the author trying to do in verse 5. The Lord comes down to show His power, His might, above that of humans as if to say, you make puny gods.

Verse 6 seems a little like God does not want mankind to succeed in their achievements at face value. Because of the unified language, race, mind, of humanity whatever they do will be possible. However, in relation to the sin they are committing, I think the Lord is commenting on the growth of sin. One scholar put it this way:

Genesis XXXIV. The Confusion of Tongues.—Gen. 11:1–9

This is their beginning. The beginning of sin, like that of strife, is as when one letteth out water. The Lord sees in this commencement the seed of growing evil. All sin is dim and small in its first rise; but it swells by insensible degrees to the most glaring and gigantic proportions. And now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

The Lord in response divides them in language and scatters them throughout the earth. It is not one nation, one world, as it was being made, but instead now various people across the world.

The Lord doesn’t respond with a flood or great punishment. Instead He intervenes.

Other Notes

Remember it is believed that this one world, one mankind, one society, one economy was likely being created under one man- Nimrod. This theme will come into play later along with the use of Babylon in Scripture.

Themes of Genesis 11:1-9

Our themes will come from an author of the Christ Centered Exposition Commentary as I agree with them. Just for posterity, I want to be clear these are not original to me, but I agree with them.

The power of pride leads us to undermine God’s design.

At it’s heart pride is a decision to put self at the center of it all instead of God. This was not God’s intended design. Yes, we were created to create, to flourish, but in direct correlation to our dependence and relationship upon God.

Why did they build a tower and city? To make a name for themselves the Scripture tells us. No longer is it about God’s glory or even obeying His commands.

It is pride that ultimately leads us to undermine what God has designed in the family, in gender, in sexuality, in our pursuits, our desires, our priorities, etc.

What is sneaky about it all is we do not often see pride taking over.

There is a moment in Peter’s life where this happens. Jesus tells His disciples that he will die and resurrect. This is after they have agreed that Jesus is the Messiah and Peter makes this confession.

Peter’s response to Jesus predicting His death and resurrection? “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!” Peter assumes the role of God who knows all things and have a plan in this moment.

Andrew Murray explains,

There was Peter in his self-will, trusting his own wisdom, and actually forbidding Christ to go and die. Whence did that come? Peter trusted in himself and his own thoughts about divine things…It was the life of self strong in Peter. He had left his boats and his nets, but not his old self…Christ told Peter that he must deny self. Self must be ignored, and its every claim rejected.

Murray gives then two options when the sin of self or pride arises:

There is not choice for us; we must either deny self or deny Christ. There are two great powers fighting each other- the self nature in the power of sin, and Christ in the power of God.

3 Way Pride makes itself apparent

1. Pride seeks satisfaction through self-provision

We see in our text that the people use God given provision and God given creativity to ultimate satisfy themselves.

Colossians 3:17 “17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Philippians 4:19–20 “19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Matthew 5:16 “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 in heaven.”

What do all these verse have in common? They all express that everything in life that is given to us, that we produce, that we do is for the glory of God.

Our children are not for our glory as much as we may want that. They are for His.

Our spouses are not for our glory, but for His.

Our jobs, our work, our athleticism, our money, our body, our mind, our heart, etc are not first ours. They are His, given to bring Him glory. Pride, however, leads us to believe we are the center of our lives and we are the ones who actually produce what is given in this life.

2. Pride seeks success through self-promotion.

Let us make name for ourselves they say. Self-promotion is not anything new today. We have social media influencers (on all levels and all areas of life) who are trying to self-promote and gain notoriety. Build their platform. We have business ment who seek to promote themselves based on their advancements in business or technology.

Self-promotion that is taking place in our text is elevating humanity above God. It can be in the most simple of ways this happens.

How often I can think, I worked hard for this money, it is mine. I don’t need to give generously or think about how to manage as God desires. In the end, I have forgotten that it is by His doing and for His glory I even have provision.

Something good happens in our lives and we recount the ways we did all the right things, not giving credit the the Lord who is Sovereign.

The Psalmist wrote,

Psalm 29:1–2 “1 Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. Psalm 29:10–11 “10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned, King forever. 11 The Lord gives his people strength; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

We dethrone pride when we enthrone the true King- Jesus, onto the throne of our hearts. Ascribe to the Lord the success you have.

When I worked at the emergency youth shelter the majority of my co-workers who women of color. Much of their life and faith background was different from mine. But, through these ladies I learned something. I noticed that when situations worked out, when provision was made, whatever it might be they would speak out loud thank you Jesus. At first I thought this was a flippant thing, until I realized it wasn’t. It was just ingrained into their lives to ascribe to the Lord the glory due to Him. Most of the women who did this were women of strong faith. It helped me to see that even in the smallest or simplest matters, glory is due to the Lord.

3. Pride seeks significance through self-protection.

Why build this massive tower? One scholar noted that being so close to the days of Noah and the flood, they feared another one. We can’t know for sure. However, they don’t want to be scattered. They want to preserve, protect what they have built.

Again, this was not God’s plan. They were to fill the earth. Often when God’s plan becomes challenging to our lives, to our comfort, to what we desire; pride can sneak in and lead us to self-protect.

Instead of mending broken relationship or fellowship with others we isolate from community to self-protect.

Instead of serving as we are called because it requires sacrifice or challenges us in ways we’ve never been challenged, we pull back because we are self-protecting.

Instead moving forward in necessary change we can often reject in self-preservation of the past, of again what is comfortable, of what we built instead of what the Lord wants to build.

God’s response to pride

The Scripture is clear and speaks in many places regarding pride.

Proverbs 16:18 “18 Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.”

James 4:6 “6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 11:2 “2 When arrogance comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 16:5 “5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”

1 John 2:16 “16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

Psalm 10:4 “4 In all his scheming, the wicked person arrogantly(pridefully) thinks, “There’s no accountability, since there’s no God.””

Pride is inconsistent with the nature and character of God. Pride is inconsistent with the life we are called to in Him.

Christ Connection

I stated last week that redemption was not just in part, but the whole of who we are. Christ’s by His salvation grants to us His righteousness when we believe in Him.

This means the life He lived in perfection is transferred to us so to speak. Thus, our Christ connection comes in Matthew 4:1-11. Turn with me there for just a moment.

We note that Jesus is tempted, but does not succumb to the temptation Satan lays before Him. But notice the heart of the temptations.

V.3-4- Pride is self-provision

V. 5-7- Pride is self-protection

V. 8-10- Pride is self-promotion

Jesus overcame what we cannot. Jesus grants that salvation unto us when we believe, confess, repent, and surrender unto Him.

The only way to overcome our pride is to crucify it with Christ.

Galatians 2:20 “20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Andrew Murray taught me once again,

It is in Jesus, the Crucified One, I must abide. I must learn to look upon the Cross as not only an atonement to God, but also a victory over the devil-not only a deliverance from the guilt, but also from the power of sin. I must gaze on Him on the cross as wholly mine, offering Himself to receive me into the closet union and fellowship and to make me partaker of the full power of His death to sin and the new life victory to which it is but the gateway.

Conclusion

I must admit if there is a besetting sin, a stronghold that is a continuous battle in my heart it is pride. Pride has led to broken relationships. Pride has led to mistakes. Pride has led to harsh words. Pride has led to losing heart in ministry or for people. Pride has led to stupid financial decisions. Pride has led to poor health choices. Pride has led me to be a thief.

A thief of the glory of God due to Him when I stole it for myself.

Being in a position of leadership, authority, and influence makes me very susceptible to pride. I believe this is why many pastors we hear about have fallen.

So, I ask for your prayers as I try to participate with the Spirit to battle my own pride.

But I ask you to seek in your own heart, how has pride impacted your relationship with God? Your relationship with your spouse? Your children? Your church?

How has pride influenced your focus in your job, your achievements, your daily decisions?

Pride forms when we don’t get what we want or desire and we react in it. Whether in emotional responses or in “fixing” it. Instead of trusting in the Lord to provide, to work, to use what is happening for His glory.

Pride says I will give full advantage to myself or family regardless of how it affects others- in my words or actions.

Pride refuses to reconcile and withholding the same grace and love that God shows us. Pride says I won’t seek forgiveness or I won’t forgive.

Pride judges a speck in another’s eye while we have a plank in our own.

Pride demand perfection of everyone else, but not of ourselves.

Pride ultimately says in all things, God you are not enough.

Surrender today these things unto the Lord. Crucify them on the cross where Jesus died for it. Surrender into that sweet union with God through Jesus to see the joy that comes not in us, but in Him.

We may not construct a tower or city in pride, but we certainly can construct it or from it in our lives. Let it become the joy of your heart to let Christ knock down the tower of pride that has been built up in you.