10.12.06
The Prideful City
Noah's descendants increased and spreaded over the land. There is the idea that people have a place God assigned for them. It is then their duty to "subdue" that place that is their home, and find out where "home" is.
The author of this part of Genesis then gives a geographical and ethnical report of his knowledge of the world. He then goes on explaining that some people got together to settle in a large city instead of scattering across the land like God wanted them to.
These men decided to build a tower so high that it would reach the heavens. The men wanted to "make a name for themselves" instead of being the humans God intented them to be. Ancient temples descriptions in lower Babylonia mention that their tops "reached the heavens". High towers on a vast plain would give this illusion.
It is said that God "came down to see" what was going on and with the Council of Heavens, or whatver we want to call it, God then descended to strike the tower and punish the humans' pride. God confounded their language and scattered them across the earth.
This episode was regarded in the Talmudic literature as a rebellion against God. It is not self-confident ambitious men that God couldn't tolerate, but men who decided he was so unimportant that they could become higher than him. It reminds me of Satan, that beautiful angel that rebelled against God out of pride.
I think the lesson I learn from the Babel story is that we can be whatever we want, we can -and should- have dreams and be ambitious, but we must never forget that God is the Master. He's above us, no matter what!
The author of this part of Genesis then gives a geographical and ethnical report of his knowledge of the world. He then goes on explaining that some people got together to settle in a large city instead of scattering across the land like God wanted them to.
These men decided to build a tower so high that it would reach the heavens. The men wanted to "make a name for themselves" instead of being the humans God intented them to be. Ancient temples descriptions in lower Babylonia mention that their tops "reached the heavens". High towers on a vast plain would give this illusion.It is said that God "came down to see" what was going on and with the Council of Heavens, or whatver we want to call it, God then descended to strike the tower and punish the humans' pride. God confounded their language and scattered them across the earth.
This episode was regarded in the Talmudic literature as a rebellion against God. It is not self-confident ambitious men that God couldn't tolerate, but men who decided he was so unimportant that they could become higher than him. It reminds me of Satan, that beautiful angel that rebelled against God out of pride.
I think the lesson I learn from the Babel story is that we can be whatever we want, we can -and should- have dreams and be ambitious, but we must never forget that God is the Master. He's above us, no matter what!
# poster: Mormon(s) of another kind at 18:01 
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I am reminded of a story about scientists who thought they had learned the secrets of creating Man from nothing! They told God that He was no longer needed because they had become as smart as God! So God said "Go ahead and show me how you can create Man. If you can do that, I'll step aside!" So, the first scientist boldly and arrogantly reached down for a handful of dirt. God stayed the scientists hand, and said "No, no! Get your own dirt!"
When Mankind gets so high and mighty that we think we can do without God, we should pray He reminds us otherwise!
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When Mankind gets so high and mighty that we think we can do without God, we should pray He reminds us otherwise!
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