Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
Footnote: The tower of Babel was a great human achievement, a wonder of the world. But it was a monument to the people themselves rather than to God. We may build monuments to ourselves (expensive clothes, big house, fancy car, important job) to call attention to our achievements. These may not be wrong in themselves, but when we use them to give us identity and self-worth, they take God's place in our lives. We are free to develop in many areas, but we are not free to think we have replaced God.
What "towers" have you built in your life?
Keep reading -- 361 days left!
All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.
I always wondered how did they live so long?
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy! My Bible has a footnote for Genesis 5:25-27 that explains it this way:
ReplyDeleteSome believe that the ages listed were lengths of family dynasties rather than ages of individual men. Those who think these were actual ages offer three explanations: 1. the human race was more genetically pure in this early time period, so there was less disease to shorten life spans; 2. no rain had yet fallen on the earth, and the expanse of water "above" (1:7) kept out harmful cosmic rays and shielded people from environmental factors that hasten aging; 3. God gave people longer lives so they would have time to "fill the earth" (1:28)
I like the third explanation. Only God really knows how or why but we can be sure he was in control of it all. What about you?
Thanks for being the first brave soul to have a comment! Keep them coming!
Thanks for explaining that. The 3rd one makes sense to me.
ReplyDelete