God Confounds Man’s Ambitions

Background Scripture: Genesis 11
Lesson Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Introduction

If we insist on setting our own course in life, we can expect a great deal of disappointment, heartache, and trouble. If we humble ourselves, submit, and align our ambitions with God’s will, we will be blessed beyond our expectations and have no regrets when we get to the end of life.

Many Christians of former times gave up everything, including their lives, to live out their greatest ambition, which was serving Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described this as having a “single eye.” He taught that true greatness comes from serving others, not in seeking power, riches, or status.

Ambition motivates an individual to strive for a goal and is an essential part of true character, but it must be fixed on lawful objects.

Key Verse

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day (Isa. 2:11).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The Bible does not say exactly how many years elapsed between the flood and the attempted building of the city and tower of Babel, but it appears to have been in the fourth generation after the flood. This was about 325 years before the call of Abraham and about 100 years after the flood. Following are several interesting points about the time referred to in the lesson text.

Everyone spoke the same language. Were there more languages spoken before the flood, but only Noah’s survived? There is no record of multiple languages, so we can assume there was only one. The earthly minded among the populace chose a suitable place where they could dwell and build their memorial city. Construction has always had a strong appeal to those who seek material security.

No stone was available nearby, so bricks were manufactured. Many historians believe that the slime referred to was a naturally occurring tar.

The tower builders believed that their purpose and concerted effort were more important than faith in God. When we abandon our faith in the Lord’s providence, fear prompts us to erect barriers of our own against perceived threats.

They desired to build a monument that would establish their fame indefinitely. That their city’s chosen name has been lost and none of the designers’ or builders’ names have been preserved is noteworthy. The present name, “Babel,” is a slanderous referral to the project’s ignominious end. The desire to be the greatest was thrown out of heaven once, and it has been repugnant to God ever since.

God “came down” to see what they were doing. In infinite wisdom, God knew what was happening and why. Yet, in his mercy He was considerate of them. He evidently left them to their own devices for some time, hoping that they would repent of their own accord. God still bears long with us and gives us multiple opportunities to correct our ways.

God saw the danger that lay ahead. He knew the course mankind was on was one of contention and destruction. He knew that sin becomes so strong that faith is swallowed up. God is all love; even his warnings and corrections are for our benefit.

The time came when God sent down his judgment. He could have come with fire and lightning, or a plague that killed many, or an earthquake that swallowed their work. Instead He destroyed their ability to communicate. God’s plan was simple, but effective. The commandment to scatter abroad and populate the whole earth once again was put in motion.

Historians believe the remains of the Tower of Babel survived until approximately 330 BC, when it was disassembled by Alexander the Great and never rebuilt.

Practical Truths for Today

“We learn from history that we do not learn from history.” 1 Although this statement sounds dismal, it is regrettably all too true. Reading about the repeated failings of the children of Israel, we wonder at how they failed to learn from past experience. But one look at our own life and our own age will cure any notion that we have done any better. Many lessons are learned the hard way, and we resolve to not fall into error again. Often just a short while later, we realize we are not as Satan-proof as we thought.

After the flood purged the earth of sinners, the survivors must have had a fearful terror of sin. Instead of this carefulness being preserved, we read of examples of continued moral failure (Gen. 9:20-21). The sad truth is that man’s depraved nature cannot simply be purged from the earth, for the seed of sin lies deep within men’s hearts. Only as the saved pass into eternity will this corruption be left behind. Paul summed it up when he said, “Oh wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Rom. 7:24).

Another wise man commented, “If only it were that simple. If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?” 2

Ambition in itself is commendable. Working, planning, designing, building and accomplishing things are not wrong. Hezekiah was ambitious; Apostle Paul was zealous. There have been movers and shakers who have done great things for mankind and for the Lord, and God’s blessings have followed their efforts. Ambition becomes sin when when it is misguided and done for the wrong reason. The Babel tower builders wished to “make us a name.” That desire defiled the project. Our selfish tendencies will also ruin us. Jesus encouraged his people to not seek self-glorification or flaunt personal goodness (Matt. 6:3).

God is in complete control. Even though we know this, our worries and fears can overrule our better judgment. How much better our lives will be if we simply take our burdens to a loving Father, trusting Him to lead us into the paths of righteousness. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). Our own ambitions are nothing but foolishness if not guided and blessed by the Lord.

One factor in proving whether our ambitions are self-motivated or God-directed is transparency. It is important that we do not just ask our brothers or sisters to rubber-stamp our plans but to rather seek counsel. Though we may think our idea is the only logical way forward, our brethren may see dangers that we do not. Many areas of life could benefit from this. Vocational decisions, child training, and choices in selecting our homes, vehicles, and lifestyles could all become a greater blessing if we make it a priority to seek God’s will above all else. He is able to see far down the road at which we can only guess.

The early church “had all things common” (Acts 2:44). It seems that this practice became impractical as the gospel spread and the church grew. It was soon abandoned, but the blessing of working together, with each being servant to the other, remains.

Questions

1. In what ways are we tempted to build our own personal empires?
2. We are commanded to provide and care for our families and for the poor around us. How can we know if we are laboring too much for that which has no eternal value?
3. How should young people or young couples who are just getting their start in life prioritize their ambitions?
4. In every age there have been individuals with the heart of a prophet who preached and pled with their contemporaries to humble themselves and trust God. Is the church of today still speaking this message as it should?
5. 1 Quote attributed to Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
6. 2 The Gulag Archipelago 1918-1956 by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).