What are you babbling about?

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 11.

When a child is somewhere around eighteen months old, we teach him or her to stack blocks. From there, it’s not long before challenge them: how high can you go? As tall as you? Taller than you! But it’s not long before someone knocks the tower down and it’s time to start over. Those moments can be filled with laughter. But if a sibling knocks over the tower, you might have tears.

Bigger is better, right? A taller tower. A bigger home. A super-sized fast food meal. An extra scoop of ice cream. A larger worshiping congregation.

Not long after the flood, the growing world population decides, “”Let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let’s make a name for ourselves” (Genesis 11:4). It’s got to be big. It’s got to be tall. It’s got to be noticeable. It going to make us famous!

Something in us wants to be noticed and admired. I guess you could say we want to be worshiped. Ouch. No one likes to admit that. But left to our own devices, our search for significance will edge God out of the picture. Making a name for yourself often leaves God’s name in the dust. (Isn’t there a commandment about that?)

Developers often buy up large tracts of land to build communities. Without regulation, they would pay little attention to the environment, surrounding neighborhoods, and traffic. Someone has to reign them in, right? Building codes, water management districts, and regulations keep them from getting carried away.

God long ago reigned in the Shinar developers before they got carried away. He confused their speech and scattered them abroad. A single, common language no longer empowers them.

These folks in chapter 11 eventually became famous. They are the reason we ask, “What are you babbling about?” (Genesis 11:9)

Thanks for reading this “through-the-bible” devotion.