Genesis 11:1 “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to each other, ‘Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.'”
The story of the Tower of Babel reveals a group of people who had aspirations that went directly against the intentions of God for His people. Genesis 11 records that the people of the earth moved eastward to a place called Shinar, and it was there that they began to build a tower that would reach to the heavens. They had one goal in mind, which was to make a name for themselves.
However, God’s intention has always been that His creation would exalt His name. As a matter of fact, in Malachi 1:11 God says, “‘My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
As a result of their narcissistic intentions, God came down and confused their language and dispersed them over the face of all the earth, the exact thing that they were seeking to avoid.
It is important for you to know that God always gets what He wants. In Acts 1:8 Christ called His followers to be His witnesses in “…Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” He did not want them to all stay in Jerusalem and build their kingdoms, but He sent them worldwide that they might build His.
Although God dispersed the population throughout the earth in Genesis 11, He brought people from all over the world back together at Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4. He did this so that He might expose them to His gospel, draw them to Himself, and ironically enough, send them back out again.
What about you? What are your aspirations and goals that you want to see accomplished during your stay upon this earth? Are you living your life for your glory, or for the glory of God? Are you seeking to make a name for yourself, or do you desire to see the name of Christ lifted up and adored? How would those who know you best answer these questions?
If Christ has saved you, He has done so for the purpose of building His kingdom, not yours!
