Series: Biblical Cities- Babylon [#1]
BABYLON- MAN VERSUS GOD
Psalm 137:1
Introduction:
We are continuing in our Series about some of the most mentioned Cities in the Bible. Tonight, we are going to study the city that is 2nd on the list- Babylon. Babylon is mentioned 286 times in the Bible. Babylon means “the gate of god(s).
Psalm 137:1
The site of Babylon has been a cultural asset to Iraq since 1921. In the 1960s, a replica of the Ishtar Gate and a reconstruction of Ninmakh Temple were built on site. On February 14, 1978, the Ba'athist government of Iraq under Saddam Hussein began the "Archaeological Restoration of Babylon Project". They reconstructed features of the ancient city on top of its ruins. These included the Southern Palace of Nebuchadnezzar, with 250 rooms, 5 courtyards, and a 100 foot entrance arch. The project also reinforced the Processional Way, the Lion of Babylon, and an amphitheater constructed in the city's Hellenistic era. Hussein installed a portrait of himself and Nebuchadnezzar at the entrance to the ruins and inscribed his name on many of the bricks, in imitation of Nebuchadnezzar. An inscription seen several times says, "This was built by Saddam Hussein, son of Nebuchadnezzar, to glorify Iraq". In 2003, he intended to have a cable car line constructed over Babylon, but plans were halted by the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Thousands of people live in Babylon now.
Genesis 10:8-10
Babylon was founded by Nimrod. In the next Chapter, we read about the Tower of Babel, which is also translated as Babylon. The Tower of Babel was built on the plains of Shinar, also known as the plains of Babylonia.
We find in Genesis 11 that man began to believe they were greater than anyone or anything. They were challenging God for who was in control, and they were so self-focused that they didn’t even realize it. We are going to look at what and who people trust in, when they are not trusting in God; but themselves. I will refer to people like this as carnal people.
Genesis 11:1-3
Carnal people trust in…
1. Innovation.
Everyone could speak the same language and that gave them a lot of confidence. They had come upon a better way to build a structure. They had been using stone and mortar; but they discovered that using bricks were better. They had discovered how to make bricks- They were innovative. When people work together, they can discover ways to do things better than those before them.
We live in a time of innovation. When you buy a computer, cell phone, or other technology; it is out of date before you even leave the store. There are new inventions and innovations every day. The danger in this is people begin to think that they are smarter than even God. They give themselves credit for the innovation and forget that it is God who gives us the knowledge to do these things.
Genesis 11:4
Carnal people trust in…
2. People.
They worked together to build a city with a tower that was higher than anything that had ever been built. The real problem was their motivation. They wanted to do this so that they would be famous. They were focused on their appearance before other people.
Whoever that person or persons are that you believe are the smartest people ever are stupid in comparison to God. One of the greatest mistakes we make is placing our trust in people. People will disappoint you; but God will never fail. In their purpose statement, they also listed a fear- They feared that they would be scattered all over the world away from each other.
Genesis 11:5-9
Carnal people trust in…
3. Vain.
What was their fear? They feared that they would be scattered all over the world away from each other; and what happened? God confused their language and scattered them over all of the whole earth.
When we place our trust in anyone or anything besides God; it will be in vain. God is in control, and He can stop what you are doing at any moment.
Conclusion:
If you are fighting God for control, you will lose.
