Babel ... will it happen again?

[~Shalhevet~]

Genesis 11:1-9

1And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. 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. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. 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. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 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. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. 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.

I recently moved from the city into the country and what a change that's been. It's so peaceful out here in the country. Really, every day feels like we're on vacation. It's unreal.

Anyway, being out here just this short time made me notice a lot more things about living in the city than I ever realized while living in the city. Sure we got used to it living there for 7+ years but now being out it's so obvious how stressful our lives really were.

Not sure why exactly I think of Babel when I think of our move from out of the city. But for some strange reason, rural life seems to make a lot more sense. City life seems so tedious and over-complicated. And, honestly, a lot of the every day conveniences are so unnecessary. They are actually more of a headache than a convenience. Can you believe that when I call my cable company now I actually talk to a human being? I don't need to press any numbers to talk to a person.

For discussion: Do you think God has done things (particularly in the big cities) to cause confusion among people? Or do you think we created this modern day Babel ourselves? What are your thoughts?

[Guest man]

For discussion: Do you think God has done things (particularly in the big cities) to cause confusion among people? Or do you think we created this modern day Babel ourselves? What are your thoughts?

God is not the author of confusion.....1 Corinthians 14:33

[~Shalhevet~]

God is not the author of confusion.....1 Corinthians 14:33

Did God not cause the confusion of Babel?

[Isaiah 6:8]

God is not the author of confusion.....1 Corinthians 14:33

Did God not cause the confusion of Babel?

He changed the languages to force them to scatter over the earth. It was a punishment. It was not a confusion of thought.

[givingittogod]

I definately believe that "we" (not me though) created this modern day babel ourselves. I believe most people like to be to buisy or appear to buisy to be reached - it's their plan it is their plot - I had a friend if you could call her that she claims she was my friend - she told me she only talked to saroj once a week cause that was all she had time to do in a week as far as talking to a friend goes ------- telling me that she was just to buisy. This modern day babel is very on purpose. People are off buisying themselves in 500 directions but you can be sure it's the 500 directions they choose.

And me I'm outside of it ------------- though I'm not a senior citizen I live like one : ) I sit outside with my chickens just about daily ----------- well and I play my electric guitar which I'll cop is absolutely not senior citizen stuffs especially not the way I play. All the rush and hub bub might get the fast kids lots of friends - but man that all seems exhausting.

And people don't want to work together, dog eat dog world like snoop dog said. But then there always is that top dog outside it all : ) bow bow bow yippieo yippy yea : )

[SavedByGrace1980]

Genesis 11:1-9

1And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. 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. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. 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. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 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. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. 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.

I recently moved from the city into the country and what a change that's been. It's so peaceful out here in the country. Really, every day feels like we're on vacation. It's unreal.

Anyway, being out here just this short time made me notice a lot more things about living in the city than I ever realized while living in the city. Sure we got used to it living there for 7+ years but now being out it's so obvious how stressful our lives really were.

Not sure why exactly I think of Babel when I think of our move from out of the city. But for some strange reason, rural life seems to make a lot more sense. City life seems so tedious and over-complicated. And, honestly, a lot of the every day conveniences are so unnecessary. They are actually more of a headache than a convenience. Can you believe that when I call my cable company now I actually talk to a human being? I don't need to press any numbers to talk to a person.

For discussion: Do you think God has done things (particularly in the big cities) to cause confusion among people? Or do you think we created this modern day Babel ourselves? What are your thoughts?

That's an interesting take on the Tower of Babel, but I'm not sure I follow.

I've always assumed the Lord's problem with the people building that tower was their motivation. They were attempting (foolishly) to reach Heaven on their own terms and by their own means. They were not doing it God's way.

Living in a big city is certainly much more distracting than living in the country. And distractions, by definition, can keep us confused and less likely to hear God's still small voice.

Like you, I now live in a rural area - but I have in the past lived in a medium sized city (about 500,000). As to our service to and fidelity to the Lord, I think each has its challenges. Satan is, after all, creative in the ways he tries to cause us to stumble.

It will be interesting to see what others have to say about this.

Blessings!

-Ed

[~Shalhevet~]

That's an interesting take on the Tower of Babel, but I'm not sure I follow.

I've always assumed the Lord's problem with the people building that tower was their motivation. They were attempting (foolishly) to reach Heaven on their own terms and by their own means. They were not doing it God's way.

Living in a big city is certainly much more distracting than living in the country. And distractions, by definition, can keep us confused and less likely to hear God's still small voice.

Like you, I now live in a rural area - but I have in the past lived in a medium sized city (about 500,000). As to our service to and fidelity to the Lord, I think each has its challenges. Satan is, after all, creative in the ways he tries to cause us to stumble.

It will be interesting to see what others have to say about this.

Blessings!

-Ed

Exactly. It is much easier to hear God and admire his presence where it is quiet. It's so incredible.

Do you think God likes big cities? Do you think the attitude in the city is different than the country? The lifestyle is certainly different as I'm finding out. Dare I say that city folk seem a bit more arrogant and unkind? Like you said, dog eat dog. Sad but true. In the city nobody cared about me. Nobody even knew who I was. And the first day we move into the country the neighbors come and introduce themselves. That would be obcene if I was moving into the city.

Not surprised my thinking is hard to follow. lol Like everyone else, I'm just trying to make sense of things.

[goldust59]

God is not the author of confusion.....1 Corinthians 14:33

Did God not cause the confusion of Babel?

He changed the languages to force them to scatter over the earth. It was a punishment. It was not a confusion of thought.

How did you determine this to be a punishment? I believe the key to understanding why God chose to confound the languages can be found in v6. (just wish I could fully understand it!)

And the LORD said, Behold, the people are one, and they all have one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. ~Genesis 11:6 (emphasis mine)

Seems to me that the fact that they were 'one' somehow made it so that they could accomplish whatever they set out to do. I think God wanted to separate the people so that they would not have the 'power' to do that in their fallen state.

Just some thoughts on it. I just don't see it as a punishment .

[goldust59]

That's an interesting take on the Tower of Babel, but I'm not sure I follow.

I've always assumed the Lord's problem with the people building that tower was their motivation. They were attempting (foolishly) to reach Heaven on their own terms and by their own means. They were not doing it God's way.

Living in a big city is certainly much more distracting than living in the country. And distractions, by definition, can keep us confused and less likely to hear God's still small voice.

Like you, I now live in a rural area - but I have in the past lived in a medium sized city (about 500,000). As to our service to and fidelity to the Lord, I think each has its challenges. Satan is, after all, creative in the ways he tries to cause us to stumble.

It will be interesting to see what others have to say about this.

Blessings!

-Ed

Exactly. It is much easier to hear God and admire his presence where it is quiet. It's so incredible.

Do you think God likes big cities? Do you think the attitude in the city is different than the country? The lifestyle is certainly different as I'm finding out. Dare I say that city folk seem a bit more arrogant and unkind? Like you said, dog eat dog. Sad but true. In the city nobody cared about me. Nobody even knew who I was. And the first day we move into the country the neighbors come and introduce themselves. That would be obcene if I was moving into the city.

Not surprised my thinking is hard to follow. lol Like everyone else, I'm just trying to make sense of things.

I definitely agree that the attitudes are different. Cities are very impersonal where rural people are more likely to want to know each other & help & look after each other. I always loved visiting my Grandmother in the country (we lived in Montgomery, Al at the time) Seemed she knew everybody for miles! People would come & bring whatever food they put together & have a great time of visiting at least once every couple months. It was great.

[nebula]

God is not the author of confusion.....1 Corinthians 14:33

Deut. 28

15 However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: . . .

28 The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind.

Joshua 10:10

The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great victory at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah.

1 Sam. 14

15 Then panic struck the whole army--those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties--and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God. 16 Saul's lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the army melting away in all directions. 17 Then Saul said to the men who were with him, "Muster the forces and see who has left us." When they did, it was Jonathan and his armor-bearer who were not there. 18 Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God." (At that time it was with the Israelites.) 19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the tumult in the Philistine camp increased more and more. So Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand." 20 Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.