Genesis 11:1-9--Making a Name
One of the pitfalls of an arrogant, prideful spirit
is that it sometimes results in irrational thinking. Someone who
thinks himself important and superior may seek an outlet to prove or
show off his superiority, even if that outlet doesn’t make sense.
Thus was the case in Genesis 11. The world was
filled with prideful people who made an irrational decision. Let’s
review the facts. Everyone living in the world at that time dwelt
together and spoke one language. They rallied together to build a
city and tower that would reach unto heaven. Okay, that’s not really
so irrational, because they did need a place to live. And, they were
hard workers, willing to make the bricks and mortar required to
bring about their dreams.
The irrational part was carrying out their ulterior
motive to make themselves a name. Exactly to whom were they
expecting to make a name? If everyone in the world at that time was
living together in one location, who else was there to impress?
Pride goeth
before destruction, And an haughty
spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
The world’s citizens thought their future was in
their own hands. They determined “to make us a name.” Silly people.
They underestimated God, the One ultimately in charge. He saw their
pride and understood their plans, but they didn’t mesh with His. So
He threw a small wrench into their plans. Well, maybe a really big
wrench. The confusion of languages and the scattering of the people
across the earth put a stop to their arrogance and pride, not to
mention their building plans.
As Paul Harvey used to say in his radio spots, “now
we know the rest of the story.”
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