Early inhabitants of the earth after the flood, the descendants of Noah and his family, developed crafts for construction and the ability to build structures of bricks and mortar. Some gathered in the land of Shinar (or Sumar, where the Sumerians originated). It was also called Mesopotamia, the land “between two rivers,” later named Babylonia, and in the present it is around the area of Bagdad, Iraq. Western civilization traces its beginnings back to the Mesopotamian valley. This region is often called the “Cradle of Civilization.”
In Mesopotamia one of the first population centers formed. They developed a city and sought to stay permanently in one location. They devised a plan to build the first skyscraper, a tower to heaven. Now, living in an age of many architectural accomplishments , it does not seem to be an unusual or noteworthy endeavor. However, in the brief context of this story there are implications to this decision as well as divine intervention to prevent them from accomplishing the task they set out to do.
With the attempt to build the tower came pride in their own ability, “We’ll make a name for ourselves.” The design of the tower “to reach heaven” revealed an attempt to save themselves from another flood, and disobedience to God’s order to go out and repopulate the earth denied the authority of God in their lives. They trusted in their own abilities, thwarted God’s purpose, and rejected God’s plan. The result was confusion, chaos, and failure. Any attempt by humanity to save themselves without God, will always result in the same.
In Mesopotamia one of the first population centers formed. They developed a city and sought to stay permanently in one location. They devised a plan to build the first skyscraper, a tower to heaven. Now, living in an age of many architectural accomplishments , it does not seem to be an unusual or noteworthy endeavor. However, in the brief context of this story there are implications to this decision as well as divine intervention to prevent them from accomplishing the task they set out to do.
With the attempt to build the tower came pride in their own ability, “We’ll make a name for ourselves.” The design of the tower “to reach heaven” revealed an attempt to save themselves from another flood, and disobedience to God’s order to go out and repopulate the earth denied the authority of God in their lives. They trusted in their own abilities, thwarted God’s purpose, and rejected God’s plan. The result was confusion, chaos, and failure. Any attempt by humanity to save themselves without God, will always result in the same.
| upwiththebible_handout4.pdf |