Babblers of faith
Genesis chapter 11:1-11:13
Introduction-
Turn with me to Genesis chapter 11:1-13
This morning we will look at man’s attempt to hide from God, be like God, take God off his rightful throne, sin, and the consequences of those actions.
If we had the time, the first ten chapters of Genesis set the stage for a creative God and
We see God create man out of nothing and give him life in His world.
We see a God that created companionship not only with Him but created a helpmate for His people.
We see in chapter 3 the fall of mankind. Perfect world, in a perfect relationship.
“You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die.”
(Not physically, but spiritually)
Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree. When they did, they had their eyes opened all right-evil came in, pride came in, disobedience began, and they hid from God.
God goes looking for them- I believe literally that this is more than a story. They actually before the fall could walk with God in the garden.
(Adam) “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked.”
(God) “Who told you that you were naked, have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
The women made me eat
The serpent deceived me and I ate
The relationship with God is severed but not broken because God does not give up on us.
We see wickedness at its worst.
To the point that God wanted to destroy the earth and start over.
God finds and sees Noah and his family and has favor with them. Noah and his family spend years building an ark to God’s specifications and invited others to get in.
I believe he hired people to help build the very ark that they refused to get in.
No one got in except Noah and his family into the ark of safety. Clearly the fore coming picture of our Lord Jesus and the ark of safety He provided on the cross for our salvation should we choose to get in.
People chose not to get in- animals in, Noah’s family in, the ark is closed (one day salvation will be closed) and God starts over.
God extending long life to the sons of Noah living more than 900 years. To replenish the earth.
Man has never had trouble replenishing the earth.
Reproducing is not a problem, we are good at that.
We have trouble obeying God.
Brings us to our Bible text this morning.
The sons of Noah had sons, who had sons, who had sons, and a large amount of people settled in what was called Babylon, today would be Iraq.
Saddam Hussein thought he was a reincarnated Nebuchadnezzar and had his name etched in the ancient stones.
He believed that he would be brought back to rule the Nation.
Shinar- southern Iraq
Ur- Northern Iraq (Abraham)
Some believe that the Garden of Eden was in the Middle East , what is now Turkey.
I do not think that they have proofed that.
We can agree that the Middle East has great heritage and great historical value.
Our text about the tower of Babble is indeed in Babylon, which is now where Iraq is in the state of Mesopotamia.
Genesis chapter 11:1-11:13
As the descendants of Noah populated the earth, they moved outward to find resources as God intended.
As different sects of people migrated, they had cultural differences.
In one great city, they thought they could put their differences aside, build a great tower together that would show their greatness.
In God’s Word; they are always talking about unity, working together, being one people-
Why would God look down and visit this great city, and scatter the people?
They were innovated people, using bricks instead of stones, tar instead of mortar.
The tower will reach the sky.
God confused their language because that is what babble means- confused language. Phrase people were just babbling, making no sense to the listener.
There purpose was not God’s purpose
Their desire was to build a great city. God wanted them to populate and walk with God.
They allowed pride and disobedience into their lives.
They obviously had already forgotten the flood and had allowed these things back into their lives.
Left unchecked, they would have continued with idolatry.
So God stepped in and stopped the building and confused their language.
Correction and discipline is God’s way to teach us and show us His love.
We see here that motives matter to God! They were unified, they were in one accord but their motives were not right.
They were trying to make a name for themselves.
They were looking for fame.
Sound like today? These are the main things in most people’s lives today. Nothing wrong with bettering yourself, getting ahead, when you put your purpose ahead of God, you are looking for trouble.
With their quest for fame, they were totally ignoring God. In fact, they declared their independence from the Lord.
We can take care of ourselves.
We don’t need God.
It is not surprise that when we move as a people away from God, there will be consequences. When we dismiss God, it will not end well.
Genesis 11:6-9
“If as one people speaking the same language, they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”
They desired to make a name for themselves-unified, so they would not be scattered. Going against God , they made a name for themselves. They were brought down by God, they desired not to be scattered and the Lord scattered. What they wanted went against God, and they found out they were no match to God- everything backfired at Babble. Some learned the hard way that fighting against God is a mismatch to say the least.
God’s purpose for us is that we walk with Him, that our plans are made with God in mind.
The lessons we need to learn is that we are no match against God. Man is not God. God is God. We do not set the rules, God does. It would be foolish to make plans that do not include God, especially if you are a professing believer.
Our plans cannot be independent of God if we are professing our dependence on God. (Mine)
Secular humanism – it is a belief that humans, not God are the most important part of the universe. Having a belief or faith that ignores God.
Bill Bright
“We can trace all of our human problems to our view of God. What we believe to be true about God’s character effects every aspect of our lives, all of our actions are driven by our view of God, therefore, nothing in life could be more important than knowing who God really is.”
Our view of God is the foundation of who we are. If the foundation is weak, we will always remain weak, losing our joy, hope, and our faith.
Listen to me
Because God is Sovereign- I will joyfully submit to His will.
Because God is faithful- I will trust Him to keep His promises.
Because God never changes- My future is secure.
Because God is all powerful- He can help me with anything.
Because God is ever-present- He is always with me.
Because God is love- I can commit unconditionally to Him.
To make plans without God is dangerous, downright foolish.
Maybe you are here this morning and your thinking I am not a secular humanist.
I believe in God. Then it has to show up in your life.
Years ago, someone asked me a hypothetical question- if God removed His Holy Spirit from the earth, would your church look and act different? (gasp)
We could have our pot luck dinners
Sing songs
Do sports and activities
I could still tell you what the Bible says.
We could still like each other.
Without God it would not be worship
My fear for today is as we reach for purpose, we forget God.
We can do church, and forget God if we are not forgetful.
We can run our lives and leave God out.
Closing,
If God brought down the tower of Babble because of pride, disobedience, and wanting to be independent of God, He will bring our towers of pride down also.
End of church year, some new board members, same direction. Be and do what God has called us to do.
For us, can you believe, we are in the third month of this year already. 3 months ago Christmas, Easter is coming. Time stops for no one!
Amen.
