Genesis 11:1-8 | Part IV (implications)

Implications

1. What are the implications in making choices based on internal desires? We see that making choices based on internal desires is not pleasing to the Lord. The builders did not seek council from God (vv. 3 and 4), and as was the case with Adam and Eve, the Lord saw this self-reliant nature mixed with a very strong desire to rule perhaps all of mankind. This is, in the opinion of this author, a precursor to what would happen years later when Rome would grow and rise in power, and the promised Messiah would come to the earth to scatter and disrupt the monarchial rule of single taught; single speaking; single governmental authority over the land.

2. What are the implications in not relying on God for our needs, instead, seeking man-made results, through man-made means? This question is a continuance to the former question, actually. We can clearly see – Biblically – what the implications can be we do not rely on God for direction in our lives. We then lead a self-reliant life where our needs are supplied by that of others, rather than God. God provided the settlers, whoever would have actually settled this land, with stones for building; water, fertile soil, and more. Yet, these people did not see it that way and instead sought to build with their own means. Perhaps this was as a show of force? The Life Application Study Bible (2005) offers this, “The Tower of Babel was a great human achievement, a wonder of the world. But it was a monument to the builders themselves, rather than to God” (p. 22). Based on what we have here in the Scripture (v. 4b), the builders wished to make a name for themselves and not show any connection to the Creator or any gods.

3. What are the implications in underestimating the Lord’s ability; His sovereignty? I don’t know if the builders merely underestimated the Lord’s sovereignty? I feel that they altogether didn’t acknowledge it or Him (v. 4c). They had either 1) known of the destruction of the land from the flood event, and chosen to not believe that could happen again. Or 2) they wished to test the “waters” (no pun intended) and see if God would stop them. Either way, we can clearly see, from a Biblical perspective, what happens to those who choose to ignore the Creator and Provider of all things, and instead see to make a name for themselves (v. 4).