The
Tower of Babel
It doesn’t take long before the
human race becomes as rotten as they were before the time of Noah’s flood.
We
learned in Lesson # 20 that Ham sinned and a curse was place on his Son, Canaan.
In Genesis 10 you will find Ham’s grandson mentioned – Nimrod. Nimrod
was the first king of Babylon.
In
Genesis 11 you will find the story of how the Tower of Babel was built. What is
not told, however, we have learned from history, i.e. that Babylon became the
center for worshipping false gods and that the towers various floors diminished
in size as it proceeded upward some six to eight floors.
Even
though this chapter devotes most of its verses to genealogy, I want to point out
some significant facts.
1.
V. 1 –
everybody was of one language and one speech.
2.
V. 3 – they made brick instead of using stone to build the tower. As
with all false religions, the first thing that happens is they all want to add
something that they can do, rather than accept what God has provided.
3.
V. 4 –
marks the beginning of world development and the pitting of man against God.
4.
V. 4 –
you will also notice they wanted to make a name for themselves. In other words
they were focusing attention on themselves instead of God.
5.
Vs. 5-8
– upon visiting the tower the Lord saw what was happening and did not like it.
He confounded their language and scattered them over the earth. Notice in
verse two: “let us go down” thus indicating the Son, and perhaps the Holy
Spirit, were involved in the action as well.
Think about what transpired.
Workers working furiously, supervisors shouting out orders and all of a
sudden no one can understand what anybody is saying. Do not underestimate the
power of God.
6.
V. 9 –
The City was called Babel, which became Babylon – the city of the present evil
world.
Let’s examine the motives for building the temple.
1.
Pride –
they wanted to say they reached up to heaven.
2.
Vain
glory – “Let us make a name.”
3.
Determination
to stay together so they would be strong – lest we be scattered. There was no
thought given about God being strong for them.
You
know the results. God showed them
who was in control and scattered them all over the world.
| 
