What are you Building?

Genesis 11:1-9 

Tuesday, 01 April 2025

But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. -Genesis 11:5 

After the great flood, the Lord once again blessed Noah and his sons to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. (Gen. 9:7) But the descendants of Noah did not obey the complete command of God. They continued to live huddled together in a tightknit community.

As we continue to read this portion we also understand that though God had begun all over with man, man hadn’t changed, and his rebellion toward God continued. It was a corporate act of revolt against the authority of God. 

Throughout this passage we repeatedly come across the word “us”—thus emphasizing that whatever they did, they were all in it together. And the one thing that made effective communication possible was that all of them spoke the same language! Verse 1 says – “they had one language and speech” – showing communication was unhindered so planning any great feat was an easy task. 

What were some of their plans?

• to make bricks and tar – a brand new material replacing the old – showing the innovation and expertise of man 

• to build a city and a tower whose top is in heaven – intending to show that they could match with God’s power

• to make a name for themselves – wanting glory that would last a lifetime 

• live together in the same area – thereby being secure as a group

What does all this point to? 

In history up to the present day, every iconic tower across the world was built to exalt man’s ambition and pride. This tower in today’s reading also represents man’s rebellious pride as we do not see God in all their planning.

It did not take long for God to step into the scene. Though the men were building a tower high enough to reach heaven – which the Bible says, is where God’s throne is (Isaiah 66:1) it never reached anywhere close to God’s throne as God had to come down to see what the men were building. God had already witnessed the wickedness of man that He had to send the flood. But this time, fully knowing the potential wickedness of man, He confused their language and scattered them from the plains of Shinar before they could plan anything more disastrous. 

Does this mean God is against man’s progress? 

No! God is the source of all creativity and progress. But if one begins to do anything for his own glory , self-worth or propagating his/her  own identity over and above God’s, then these monuments take the place of God as they are building a tower for themselves, and this represents the first rebellion that happened in heaven. 

God resists the proud!! 1Peter 5: 5 

Nothing we do escapes God’s notice. Just as he came down to see the work of men then, even today His eyes are upon us. Revelation 2:23 says “ ……… I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give each of you whatever you deserve.”  Even as God searches our hearts this morning what does He see us building? 

The first time when man got together, they thought of building for their own fame and glory. Their oneness was destroyed by God when God confused their language and scattered them.

But today, we the redeemed are called to be One in Christ. As Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” He has called us from every nation, tribe, language and tongue so that we would be united in every passion, plan and purpose for the Glory of God and for the extension of His kingdom.

May we so be united with the vision of only Building His Kingdom that will last.

Food for Thought:  “God has to take our eyes off our kingdom before He can build His.”  JD Greear

Listen: 'Build your Kingdom'