Topical Bible: Confidence: Builders of Babel

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The account of the Builders of Babel is found in Genesis 11:1-9. This narrative provides a profound insight into the nature of human confidence, particularly when it is misaligned with divine will. The account unfolds in the post-Flood world, where humanity, unified by a single language, embarks on a grand project to build a city and a tower "with its top in the heavens" (Genesis 11:4). This endeavor is driven by a desire to make a name for themselves and to prevent their dispersion across the earth.

Human Ambition and Unity

The builders' confidence is rooted in their unity and shared purpose. Genesis 11:6 states, "The LORD said, 'If they have begun to do this as one people speaking the same language, then nothing they devise will be beyond them.'" This verse highlights the potential of human collaboration and ambition. The builders' confidence is not inherently negative; rather, it reflects the God-given capacity for creativity and achievement. However, their ambition becomes problematic when it seeks to rival God's authority and plan.

Divine Intervention

The narrative reveals that the builders' confidence is misplaced. Their project is not aligned with God's command to "fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1). Instead, they seek to consolidate their power and presence in one location. In response, God intervenes by confusing their language, causing them to be scattered over the face of the earth (Genesis 11:7-8). This divine action underscores the futility of human endeavors that oppose God's purposes. It serves as a reminder that true confidence should be rooted in obedience to God rather than in human pride and self-sufficiency.

Lessons on Confidence

The account of the Builders of Babel offers several lessons on confidence from a biblical perspective:

1. Alignment with God's Will: Confidence should be grounded in alignment with God's will and purposes. Human ambition, when detached from divine guidance, can lead to pride and rebellion.

2. The Limits of Human Achievement: While human beings are capable of remarkable achievements, the account of Babel illustrates the limitations of human efforts when they are not in harmony with God's plan.

3. The Importance of Humility: The builders' desire to "make a name" for themselves (Genesis 11:4) reflects a prideful confidence. True confidence is marked by humility and a recognition of one's dependence on God.

4. The Power of Unity: The narrative acknowledges the power of human unity and collaboration. However, it also warns that such unity must be directed towards righteous and God-honoring goals.

In summary, the account of the Builders of Babel serves as a cautionary tale about the nature of human confidence. It challenges believers to examine the motivations behind their ambitions and to ensure that their confidence is rooted in faithfulness to God.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 11:4
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach to heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad on the face of the whole earth.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... kindness, and I ask you now, for the sake of former confidence, and former ... will be
as utterly fruitless as were the efforts of the builders of Babel; and why ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Sermon at the Faribault Celebration of the Centennial of the ...
... he confederacy dealt with the States and did not have the confidence or the ... we shall
succeed in our political building no better than the builders of Babel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/ii sermon at the faribault.htm

The Emperor Orders a Convention Composed of all the Various Sects. ...
... perceiving by their confusion that their sole confidence was in ... 718] Referring no
doubt to the Tower of Babel and the dispersion of its builders, Genesis 11 ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter x the emperor orders a.htm

The King James Version --Its Influence on English and American ...
... and back of every movement of his army there was his confidence in the ... aid we shall
proceed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel. ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture v the king james.htm

Acts 17:16-17. Athens.
... The builders who executed their designs did better and ... gospel, we may preach with
perfect confidence that it ... From the days of Babel downwards, wherever Adam's ...
/.../chapter ix acts 17 16-17 athens.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... or mysterious sense. The fourth is the river Euphrates, that which was
the face of the kingdom of Babel of old. Hence note, That ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... 116]304. Asa, his gout a punishment for sin, [117]132. Babel, an example
of mischievous agreement, [118]206. Baptism, promise at ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... So that this earthquake has driven away peace, shaken the foundations, and will
cast the nine cities down to the ground. GREAT BABEL FALLS. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... It is he with whom the Father consulted when he was about to make man, when he intended
to overthrow Babel, and when he sent Isaiah to harden the hearts of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

Conclusion --Repent Ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.
... now command their punishment would not venture to sentence them, would not even
dare to dream of the sentences they decree with such easy confidence at present ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter xii conclusionrepent ye for.htm