Lesson 7 12 March, 2017 The Tower of Babel Lesson Scope: Genesis 9:18-11:26 Unless noted otherwise references in brackets refer to Genesis 9 to 11 Lesson Focus The whole Adamic race was destroyed in the Flood except Noah and his family. Even with a fresh environment, man's heart was still sinful. Mankind banded together in collective opposition to God by building a city and a tower at Babel. This movement was very insidious. And Satan continues to cause men to exalt themselves. The end-time system is anti-god and arrogantly selfcentered. Ultimately God will destroy this movement through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Until then, God does restrain the forces of evil. Fallen man has an exalted view of himself and of his abilities. Man cannot, however, escape his accountability to the Ruler of heaven and earth. This lesson is more than just a good story. It actually happened. Similarly, defiance against God is more than just an abstract theory. It is happening all around us. This lesson can be made practical in our lives. However, the present-day applications should be broader than only our individual lives. The tower of Babel was a collective effort apparently led by an influential ruler (Nimrod). Therefore, applications in this lesson should take into account collective aspects of defiance against God. Today's world is becoming more and more connected and united. It continues to become more and more ungodly and defiant. This produces a dangerous combination from which the Christian must separate himself. The more we expose ourselves to the world's communication, the more we open ourselves to influential propaganda, ungodly worldviews, and moral corruption. Government and rulers by their very nature tend to unite people. Nimrod was a prime example of this. As you teach this lesson, however, be careful not to reflect too negatively on government. Government is ordained of God (Romans 13). Simply portray government as something from which the Christian needs to remain separate. Lesson Aim: To identify the spirit of defiance against God.
Theme Verse: Luke 1:51. He hath sheaved strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. Lesson Text Mankind Multiplied Genesis 9:18 18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. Genesis 10:6-12 6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. 7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan. 8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, 12 And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city. Defiance Demonstrated Genesis 11:1-4 1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. 3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. 4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. Communication Confounded Genesis 11:5-9 5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. 7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
Questions for Study Mankind Multiplied 1. Explain the character and actions of Nimrod. 2. How can we keep ourselves separated from the present-day system of Nimrod? Defiance Demonstrated 3. For what reasons did the people want to build the tower at Babel? 4. How does oneness in communication contribute to an anti-god system? Communication Confounded 5. What was fitting about the punishment God gave at the tower of Babel? 6. What are some signs of worldwide unification in our time? 7. How might God disrupt man's intentions today? Analyzing the Passage The name Nimrod suggests a rebel. Nimrod was "a mighty hunter before the LORD" (10:9). A hunter gratifies himself at the expense of his victim, while a shepherd sacrifices for the good of his subjects. Nimrod could be considered the world's first dictator. He sought to rise above his fellow men and rule in tyranny over them. His kingdom included Babel (10:10), which was where the tower of Babel was built. Nimrod may also have been a literal hunter of wild animals. "The land of Shinar" (10:10; 11:2) lay between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is present-day Iraq. Here the people decided to build a city and a tower. The city of Babel was the forerunner of the city of Babylon that is mentioned later in Scripture. The economic system of Babylon entails a godless pursuit of luxury, wealth, and pleasure. The religious system of Babylon involves a counterfeit religion. The characteristics of Babylon are portrayed in vivid detail in Revelation 17 and 18. The tower of Babel was to be a tower "whose top may reach unto heaven" (11:4). This was an expression of pride and rebellion. Ancient Assyrian and Babylonian kings prided themselves on the height of their temples. Was this tower symbolic of man's attempt to reach heaven by his own methods? Perhaps this tower was an attempt to get high enough to escape the possibility of another worldwide flood. Principles and Applications Mankind Multiplied 1. All men receive the fallen nature through one common ancestry (9:18-19). Noah and his family were the only humans to survive the Flood. As a
result, the entire world population is descended from Noah, regardless of religion, language, or skin color. However, this also means that all have received the fallen nature. 2. The spirit of defiance against God begins in small ways and becomes greater and greater (10:9-12). The defiance against God in this lesson seems to have been spearheaded by one man Nimrod. Although it began with one man, the defiance spread and grew until it mobilized the multitude. Anti-God attitudes may seem harmless in their early stages. They may begin with the thinking that no one can tell me what to do. We can be sure, however, that left unchecked, these attitudes will grow into rebellion against God and will influence many others to resist God. 3. The Lord knows the attitudes of those with a defiant spirit (10:9). The phrase "before the LORD" indicates that God noticed Nimrod's attitudes and actions. We may think that a defiant attitude is unnoticed, but God does see. All will be brought into account. Defiance Demonstrated 4. A kindred spirit and oneness in communication contribute to defiance against God (11:1). The fact that the people could communicate so easily definitely aided them in building the tower of Babel. In fact, after they could no longer communicate, they stopped building. Today, society can be easily influenced and controlled through oneness in communication. This is one reason why we avoid using radio, television, and social media networks. Ungodly philosophies and revolutionary movements are spread very rapidly and effectively through such communication devices. 5. Earthly wealth and securities can foster defiance against God (11:2-4). The people sought wealth by dwelling in a plain in the land of Shinar. They sought security by building a city and a tower. These became their source of confidence. God does allow us to have possessions; but the more possessions one has, the harder it will be to maintain loyalty to God. Jesus said, "A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:23). We must always remember that all we have is a gift from God. 6. Self-exaltation and self-preservation characterize a defiant spirit (11:4). Man tends to lift himself up and to forget his dependence on God. We dare not take credit to ourselves for providing the necessities of life. God alone is our provider. Pride is sin and, in light of the greatness of God, man has nothing to be proud of. 7. Disobedience to God's commands reveals a defiant attitude (11:4). After the Flood, God had commanded man to fill the earth. Instead, men decided to band together and live in one city. God has given us clear principles of
right and wrong in His Word. Men choose to disregard His commands and follow sinful lifestyles. A defiant person sees no reason to submit. 8. A defiant spirit tries to find a way to heaven other than God's way (11:4-5). Many today are trying to reach God in ways that are not Scriptural. Some believe that certain ceremonies will appease God and grant them entrance into heaven. Others believe that all religions will ultimately take everyone to the same place. Only through Christ can men truly have hope of heaven. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Communication Confounded 9. God knows the defiant imaginations of man's heart (11:6). God knew that if man's communication were not confounded, there would be nothing to restrain him from pursuing anything he desired. God knows that man is capable of imagining great things. Man proudly thinks that his abilities are limitless and continues to plan great accomplishments. God knows the thoughts of all men, and He will never be surprised. 10. God, in omnipotence and wisdom, is able to restrain the wickedness of defiant men (11:6-9). God may allow war, natural disaster, or financial adversity to thwart man's plans. God is able to disrupt man's intentions by ruining the devices that man is so dependent on. For example, God could easily confound the electric grid, transportation systems, or modern electronic technology, causing modern civilization to grind to a halt. God remains in control. Important Teachings 1. All men receive the fallen nature through one common ancestry (9:18-9). 2. The spirit of defiance against God begins in small ways and becomes greater and greater (10:9-12). 3. The Lord knows the attitudes of those with a defiant spirit (10:9). 4. A kindred spirit and oneness in communication contribute to defiance against God (11:1). 5. Earthly wealth and securities can foster defiance against God (11:2-4). 6. Self-exaltation and self-preservation characterize a defiant spirit (11:4). 7. Disobedience to God's commands reveals a defiant attitude (11:4). 8. A defiant spirit tries to find a way to heaven other than God's way (11:4-5). 9. God knows the defiant imaginations of man's heart (11:6). 10. God, in His omnipotence and wisdom, is able to restrain the wick-
edness of defiant men (11:6-9). Answers to Questions 1. Explain the character and actions of Nimrod. Nimrod's character was ungodly and domineering. He was "a mighty hunter before the LORD" (10:9). A good leader is a shepherd, concerned for the good of his people. A hunter is concerned about himself, not considering his victims. Nimrod could be considered the world's first dictator. Babylon, which he established, represents the anti-god world system. 2. How can we keep ourselves separated from the present-day system of Nimrod? We keep ourselves separated by avoiding unequal yokes in business. We avoid becoming entangled with the government by avoiding their handouts. We remain free from politics, and we obey God when earthly laws conflict with God's higher law. We can avoid being controlled by the world's communication systems by not using radio, television, and social media networks. 3. For what reasons did the people want to build the tower at Babel? The people wanted to build the tower at Babel to make a name for themselves. They wanted a tower that reached unto heaven. They did not want to be scattered across the face of the earth. 4. How does oneness in communication contribute to an anti-god system? When everyone can communicate together, they can more easily unite to do evil. When communication is instant and widespread, masses of people can be influenced and moved to action. Godless men can readily influence and control society through oneness in communication. 5. What was fitting about the punishment God gave at the tower of Babel? The punishment was fitting because He scattered them across the earth. Ironically, they had built the tower of Babel to avoid being scattered. 6. What are some signs of worldwide unification in our time? One sign of worldwide unification in our time is the intense ecumenical forces at work in the religious realm. The worldwide connectivity that modern communication systems enable is a sign of unification. Global committees and organizations are a sign of unification. Economic globalization is another sign. 7. How might God disrupt man's intentions today? God might allow war, natural disaster, or financial adversity to thwart man's plans. God is able to disrupt man's intentions by ruining the devices that man is so dependent on. For example, God could easily confound the
electric grid, transportation systems, or modern electronic technology, causing modern civilization to grind to a halt. Summarizing the Lesson When men lose their fear of God, they set up their own standards for right and wrong. They take their own way in spite of God's direction. God always notices such rebellion. He sovereignly restrains man's evil intentions and advances His own purposes. Let us exalt the Name of our great God and seek to be faithful servants in His eternal kingdom. His kingdom will stand long after the cities and towers built by men have crumbled into dust. Research Guide 1. Consider what Josephus wrote about Nimrod and the tower of Babel. Keep in mind that Josephus was not an inspired writer, and his writings need to be viewed as propositions. 2. Make a study of Babylon in the Scriptures. See Isaiah 13:19-22; 47; Jeremiah 50, 51; and Revelation 17 and 18.