ESOCS Devotional 1 February 2021
TEXT: GENESIS 11:1-9
MEMORY VERSE: “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 upon the face of the whole earth” Genesis 11:4
When righteous Noah and his children disembarked from the Ark, God commanded them saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth” (Gen. 9: 1). God’s original intention was for man to replenish the earth, subdue it, and have dominion from sea to sea, from forest to forest, and even over the fowls of the air. But no, Nimrod decided that he must keep them all in one place, precisely in the plain of Shiner so that they may not be scattered abroad. In so doing, they planned to inhibit their spread across the vast earth that God made for man to inhabit. By this, they were united to foil the will of God and make His command become of none effect. It was definitely a united rebellion against the will of God. The decision to “build us a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven” can be likened to that which Lucifer conceived in his heart: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exhort my throne above the stars of God … I will ascent above the height of the cloud, I will be like the Most High” (Isa. 14:13-14). It was obviously the product of pride and intent to amass power. But God has His ways of quelling rebellion, whether of Babel, or Belshazzar, Herod or Hitler, it does not pay to rebel against the will of God. The results of all their plans and labour were turned against their intended end by God.
They aimed at making themselves a famous name but it turned around to make them lose the good name they had as children of the righteous Noah. They earned the name Rebellion at Babel.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
They aimed at sticking together in one place but even that which facilitated their dwelling together (one language) was taken away from them and they were scattered abroad.
They aimed at building a tower to reach up to heaven and spy or see God but what an unwelcome way to try to see God. They abandoned even that project upon which they had spent so much resources.
To keep ourselves from rebellion against the will of God, let us constantly bear in mind that He made us, and that He is the Creator and Commander of heaven and earth. He is the God whose will must be done, and not another. We need to hallow, honour, reverence, love, and fear Him, willingly from our heart. The only way to be happy in Christ is to trust and obey.
CHALLENGES
How many times have you been tempted to choose and act against the will of God?
PRAYER POINT
Pray God to always instruct and teach you in the way that you shall go.
FURTHER READING: Genesis 1:28; 9:7; Proverbs 16:18; 3:5-6; Daniel 5:22–30; Psalm 32:8
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ESOCS Devotional 1 February 2021
