#169: Babel (Man vs God)

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. Genesis 11:1

The narrative of the famous tower of Babel presents us with one of the most beautiful demonstrations of God's sovereignty and providence over the affairs of men.

The chapter begins with a piece of very impressive information - the whole earth had a united front. They had formed a conspiracy; they spoke the same words - "come let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly; come let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth." (vs 3&4) One aim and one objective - rebellion against the Most High. One could argue that they were building for themselves a tower and a refuge through the advancement in technology that would save them from God's judgement should He decide to send another flood.

And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men had built. (vs 5)

I love this verse. No matter how advanced man may think that he has gone or achieved, he is not more advanced than the LORD God. God had to come down to see what they were doing. One could even argue that He had to literally come down to the level of man's wisdom and understanding in order to make sense of everything that man was doing. Because man's wisdom is foolishness to God (I Cor 3:19; Job 5:13).

Come let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand each other's speech. So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. (vs 7-9)

Just when you thought that from a united front, man would be able to threaten God and His counsel, we realise that all God needed to do was to confuse their language.

Today we live in trying times. Every time you listen to the news, it seems as though the world is united against the LORD and His anointed. It appears that technology and development is something that could threaten the existence of God. But God is still God. He cannot be threatened by any advancement of man. No matter the schemes and strategy, God will always put man in his place and remind him that he is but dust.

And personally, too, how does this apply to you as a person? This is how the Psalmist put it:

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Selah (Psalm 46:1-3)

In other words, the Psalmist knew that God is above all. No matter what happens, even if everything is turning upside down, even if it is you against the whole world, God as your refuge is enough. This is what the LORD says:

"...for I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like Me,

declaring the end from the beginning

and from ancient times things not yet done,

saying, 'My counsel shall stand and I will accomplish all My purpose'

...I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it." (Isaiah 46:9-11)

Instead of building a tower for a refuge, can we make the LORD our refuge? Can we trust and lean on His providence and sovereignty? Man cannot frustrate the purpose of God. His counsel will always stand.

The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

He frustrates the plans of the peoples. (Psalm 33:10)

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together,

against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

"Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us"

He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the LORD holds them in derision.

Then He will speak to them in His wrath,

and terrify them in His fury, saying,

"As for Me, I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill." (Psalm 2:1-3)

As beloved of God, we have been set on Mt Zion which cannot be shaken; fear not and trust God's providence.