“Now the whole earth had one language and one speech…. And they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth….’ And the Lord said… ‘Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language….’ So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth…. Therefore its name is called Babel because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth….” Genesis 11:1, 4-9

The Ziggurat

(Babel, “The Gate of the Gods”)

Come, let us for ourselves make a name.

A Ziggurat! We will build this

tower to heaven.

It will insure us fame.

On the surface the undertaking looked commendable;

A closer look and the plan is completely undependable

This was an arrogant declaration of war against the LORD.

A people’s defiant edict using pride instead of sword.

To expect human unity minus God is a delusion,

An example of human presumption ending in confusion.

God had commanded them to be fruitful and multiply

To scatter across the earth—not to reach up to the sky.

A blessing when with each other there is open communication

Man in revolt: Disharmony! Resulting only in frustration.

This move, a blatant rebelling against the Lord’s command.

Pride goes before destruction all across this land.

We see the growth of civilization with spirit degeneration

As man refuses to accept all the condition of creation.

By confusing their language and scattering them o’er all the earth

God graciously spared their lives, giving opportunity for new birth.

God, forgive our defiance and rebellion to Your revealed will. May we learn our lessons from those who have gone before us, that we may walk in a manner pleasing to You. Thank You for all the second chances You give us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.