I remember wondering as a kid what the big deal was about the tower of Babel. God is anti-sky scrapers? He’s threatened by man’s technological abilities? No, unfortunately, Babel is a vivid example of one of mankind’s most common and insidious types of sin. We’re not building skyscrapers in our backyards, but we very well might be “Babel-onians.”

Genesis 11:3-4
“Then they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower 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.’”

Right off the bat, let’s look at why they said they were doing this. They don’t want to be scattered over the face of the earth. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? Well, look at Genesis 9:1- the first thing God tells them when they get off the ark (along with the repeated portion from Genesis 1) is that they are to “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” The fact that they didn’t want to fill the earth is a direct act of rebellion against God.

Now, back up to their preceding statement: “…and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves…” This isn’t just a science experiment to test out building practices. They want to build something that reaches the heavens and they want to make a name for themselves. They are trying to find significance, security, power, importance, world peace and unity – but they want it on their own. “We’re not doing this your way, God. We want all this good stuff without having to bow the knee to your authority.”

Names are very important in the Old Testament. There was even a law that said that if a man died without a child to carry on his name, that his wife should marry the next closest relative. The first male child resulting from that union would carry on the dead man’s name so they would not be forgotten (remember the kinsman-redeemer in Ruth?).

But there is one name so important, so holy, that the Hebrews would not even speak it out loud. They wouldn’t write the whole thing out, and even after they wrote the abbreviation they would throw the pen away and start with a new one. GOD’s name is that holy, that powerful, that worthy of respect. The only reason we have significance is because of Him. The only reason we exist, let alone have any true security, is because of Him. When we seek to make a name for ourselves, showing ourselves to be significant and worthy of honor, it really is blasphemous. We are not here to make a name for ourselves and make ourselves famous – we are here to make God’s name famous!

Can you see how the spirit of Babel lives on in our own hearts? We want the good things God gives us, but we want them without Him. Consider the very well known lyrics by John Lennon:
Imagine there’s no heaven, It’s easy if you try
No hell below us, Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today . . .
You may say I’m a dreamer, But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will be as one.
Imagine there’s no countries, It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace…

What is that? I’m sorry if this offends any Lennon fans, but that is pure blasphemy set to a catchy tune. It is the modern day spirit of Babel. ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower 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.’

Psalm 115:1
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.

**For more reflections on the Old Testament with personal application, you might want to download a free Bible study ebook!**