Babylon in the Heart

Read Genesis 10 &11  
 
Genesis 11:2 & 4 As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there…4 Then they said, "Come, let's build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world."
 
THE Tower of Babel points to a sinful pride demonstrated throughout Scripture and in the human heart. After the Flood, a large population gathered in a place to form a city Babel in “Babylonia” located east of Canaan, where Israel would be one day. Other history writings refer to Babel and the building of ziggurats, which were pyramid-like structures often used for worship. The people of one language desired to build something bigger. Here is the pride factor again. Their purpose was to make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world (Genesis 11:4)
   In effect they desired the same as Eve wanted the wisdom the forbidden fruit would give her. (Gen 3:6) Time after time, the human heart is filled with the pride of our accomplishments and desire for more. We fail to recognize God’s hand to create in our minds and hands the abilities to invent, build, write, develop, know and work. “Look what I have done.” is pride’s voice elevating us above God’s providence.
   When God said, “After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!” (Genesis 11:6b) he wasn’t concerned about technological advances. God knew, though, that as a united people their capacity for evil would increase. You could say it’s the one world order that consistently threatens God’s order on earth – man rules.
   In response, God’s sure judgment dispersed the people to form new languages and nations that would fill the earth.
   “Babylon” in the Bible is synonymous with self-seeking pride, arrogance and opposition to God. We will see read of Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon conquering Judah one day and learn of God’s judgment against the prideful king and Babylon. In Revelation, the apostle John uses “Babylon” as a reference to Rome’s evil and to Satan’s ongoing opposition against God.
   Today Babylon exists in the prideful human heart. Sadly, our pride often destroys families, the church and community. The culture teaches, “Do as you desire. You can do anything you want.” These lies may “look pleasing to the eye”, but they cast God aside and destroy people’s souls.
   As we strive to live into God’s will, let’s be sure we credit God for what he has done and is doing in our lives. Let’s seek his will, so we know what we are to build to glorify his name.