“If At All You Must Boast…!”(Jer.9:23-24).
Maybe God would not have destroyed the tower of Babel and confused the languages if the motive of the initiators of the project was directed towards God.
The initiators were supposedly visionary, so by human standards we would say they were wise. They initiated the project from a position of strength, power and authority. They were able to mobilise the resources.
But their motive was a limitation to their ambition. They said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves…”(Gen.11:4). The tower would have symbolized their ego and pride.
A contrary motive would have made the difference. Maybe God would have allowed the tower if the motive was “…so that we may go back to God and ask for forgiveness.”
Human wisdom, wealth, and power and authority entices and easily alienates us from God’s presence. Satan told Eve that God had lied to them when he said if they eat the forbidden fruit they will die. He went further, “You will surely not die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God…”(Gen.3:1ff). Accepting to eat the fruit was intending to be like God; which would have led to boasting. In the same way, the people of Babel by making a name for themselves by building a tower would have led to boasting.
A completed tower of Babel would have led to boasting in that it exhibited wisdom, strength and wealth. But the tower was also a symbol of exploitation of the poor and needy. The construction of such a tower without cranes needed a lot of manpower. Many lives were lost in the process and it was tedious labour for the unskilled labourers.
But as we heard yesterday, “do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy…” God who always hear the cry of the oppressed and exploited destroyed the tower to show that he is “the LORD who excercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth.”
So then my dear friend, the LORD enjoins us neither to boast of our wisdom, strength nor riches, “but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me that I am the LORD, who excercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth.”
To know and understand these qualities of the LORD is to reflect them in our communion with others. So to say, may it be seen and appreciated that we understand and know him as we show kindness to others and practice justice and righteousness where we find ourselves.
Remember: The Lord Jesus Christ alone is our wisdom, in him we have abundant life and he is the source of our strength.
Prayer: May my only boasting be that I understand and know you the LORD who excercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang,
“A Testimony Of God’s Grace!”
Text: I Tim.1:12-17.I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though