Genesis 11

Genesis 11 "ecumenicalism"

(Genesis 11:5 KJV) "And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded."

There is much we can learn from this chapter, but in particular, let me say, there is strength in unity! One must realize the right kind of unity, and unify with God and His people, and not against Him or them. Here we have an ecumenical gathering, a potpourri of peoples and lands, a coming together of cultures and races. Once this begins, God says, "Nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do" (v. 6). Yes, the power of unity is great, but it must be guided in the right direction, for the right purpose. The only "right" purpose would be to glorify God. Did God feel threatened? Of course not. None could possibly climb into Heaven, nor build anything high enough to reach it, it is foolishness on mans part to even think so, but the intent to do so disturbed the Lord. What God struck out at was the attitude and presumption of man, much like we see in "unions" today! Unions today claim great power because of their unity, can you imagine then what the church could do if we were totally unified? I speak here of being unified unto God, not forming a "union" within the church; God would assuredly detest such a union as that. Man feared being "scattered abroad", but that is exactly what resulted in his union!

We need to unite with God's people, and separate ourselves from the ungodly, even if the ungodly are unified! Moreso, we need to leave the running of Heaven and this world to Him, and not ourselves! Christ is the only way to Heaven, so we might as well accept that and go on from there. Let God be our tower, as a "tower of strength," and not any foolishness that man can scheme up. Babel speaks of doing things "mans way" but shows the futility of mans way too. Remember, Satan was cast from Heaven for much the same reason, wishing to "ascend above the heights of the clouds" (Isaiah 14:14). We ought not to think too highly of ourselves, lest God visit evil upon us, and cast us down into the miry pit of hell.

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