Lesson Ten
FOOLISH BUILDERS
Memory Verse: Psalm 53:2
Further Study: Genesis 11:1-9; Patriarchs and Prophets 117-124; The Story of Redemption 72-74; The Bible Story, vol. 1, pp. 124-130
If you were to visit an ancient walled city, there is a good chance you might see a strong tower rising from the wall. It served as a watchtower for approaching enemies or as a place of refuge. Major cities of the world boast towers—skyscrapers of amazing architectural genius and beauty. On the coast or on the dusty plains there may be a weather tower looming into the sky to watch and study approaching storms.
Watch. Protect. Attract. Study. All these were reasons to build the Tower of Babel. “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower . . . “ (Gen. 11:4). Seems fairly harmless, until you understand the motive. Let’s finish the verse: “ . . . whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
The ark story finishes in chapter 9 with God giving a directive and a promise. The promise we seem to remember easily—the rainbow that signifies that God will never destroy the world again with a flood. The directive, we sometimes miss: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Gen. 9:1). It would appear that those living then, also forgot. Instead of scattering over the earth, they did the opposite—built a magnificent tower that would become a wonder of the world, concentrating everyone in one place. In addition, if built high enough, it would save them from another worldwide flood. For both these reasons and more, this tower was in opposition to God.
Building the tower wasn’t the problem. It was what it represented.
Building the tower wasn’t the problem. It was what it represented. We, too, can make similar decisions. No, we aren’t building physical towers, but we do sometimes attempt to provide for our own safety, to imagine our own importance, to become so independent we have no need of anyone, especially God. We don’t do it intentionally as perhaps they did, but if honest, we know that we may have comparable tendencies.
The only tower in our lives is found in Psalm 61:3: “For you [God] have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.” There is no need to build. No need to boast. Only to shelter in the shadow of the fortress we know as Jesus. In that place, we are renewed.
Digging Deeper
Let’s compare and contrast the Creation story followed by the rebellion of Cain, with the flood story followed by the Tower of Babel.
Last week we saw the parallel of God creating the world to the flood story where the world is “re-created.” After the flood, there is a separation of the descendants of Noah. Ellen White reveals three distinct groups (The Story of Redemption, p. 72). The first group obeyed God. The second group chose not to believe in God at all, devising an explanation for how and why the flood happened. The last group believed in God and the account of the flood, but they were angry at God. Just as Cain’s descendants drifted away from the Sethites, there is a separation of those in rebellion against God and those who feared Him.
They moved to the plain, just as the Cainites moved to the valley. The idea to build the tower was born out of full rebellion against God. They built beautiful homes within its walls, lived in excess and abandon, exalting themselves higher and higher both literally and figuratively. Where wickedness grows in subsequent generations before the flood, God steps in now and scatters the people
Multiplying languages has long-lasting reverberations even down to our day. God’s directive to fill the earth was fulfilled, but at a high cost. The original plan was that God’s truth, and His story would be shared around the earth. But because of the people’s rebellion, this became difficult as languages and dialects multiplied.
Spreading the gospel around the world is challenging in many respects, but one major cause is the variety of languages. Did you know that India alone has more than 19,500 languages and dialects? Amazing. So, you can see there is a need for translators, missionaries, and financial means to share God’s love to everyone. While God’s solution caused evil to be spread more slowly, it came at a price.
Making it Real
Towers are not all bad. It is at the top of a tower that we can often see more clearly where we are. The same can be true of a mountain. Spend time in your worship, thinking about mountains. Here’s a couple ideas:
- How many Bible stories can you relate that have to do with a mountain?
- If you’re able, memorize Psalm 121:1-8. If that seems a bit overwhelming, memorize verse 1 and 2:
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.”
3. Sing “Higher Ground” (hymn 625) for worship:
“I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Lord, lift me up, and I shall stand
By faith, on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord plan my feet on higher ground.”
Respond & Share
There were some at the Tower of Babel who were angry at God for destroying the world with a flood. Is it ever okay to be angry with God? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being the grandmother of two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus.
Coming next week:
“SELFISHNESS NEVER PAYS”
Based on Leviticus 27:30, Genesis 11:27-32; 12-14
PP 125-136; BS, vol. 1, pp. 133-155
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