Genesis 11

“And they said, Come, let us build us a city and a tower, and its top in the heavens. And let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered upon the face of the whole earth (Gen. 11:3).

“Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they cannot understand one another's speech (Gen. 11:7).”

Why can’t we be friends? Why can’t there be world peace? What is it which causes man to fight each other needlessly? In this chapter, we see something extremely interesting. Man has come together to corporately build something and God comes in and breaks it up. Was God scared of what might happen? Was He scared the people of this tower called Babylon would actually make it to heaven? Of course God was not scared, but why then did He break it up?

I was at the beach with two friends and their families, neither of which any of you know. I was 11 years-old. I was standing outside of the local surf shop called “Sunsations.” There was no one looking. They told me to go in and get the job done. I, oh so, wanted to be accepted by these two. I do not know why. They were slightly older and it seemed cool to hang out with them. So I went in and got back out without anyone noticing. I had laid a gruesome stink bomb right on the carpeted floor of the “Sunsations.” I never got caught, however, I felt really bad about it. For an 11 year-old this was sin worthy of anathema. Never was I “closer” to these friends then around that time. It was then that I realized I really did not want not be that close.

The world is always going to agree on sin. The world is always going to agree on doing what they feel is right according to feelings. Why not come together and build a tower? It sure sounds good. You can be remembered forever. Did you ever stop to notice that think that the tower was totally self-centered!?! I find it interesting that, if I had chosen to go the route of some of my childhood friends, we would probably still be friends. It was because I chose to follow Jesus that our friendship got broken up. Luke 12:51, Jesus tells us, “Do you suppose that I have come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division…”

Be careful who your friends are. Be ready to head a different direction toward Christ. I am not saying that we shun all who are not saved. Instead, we are light to them. Notice the way we witness to the world, “They will know we are Christians by our love one for another.” We witness through loving one another. Compromise, “Peace,” giving in that all might be happy, these are scary words. God pried Babylon apart to save the human race. Never give in to fit with the crowd, instead love, and give of yourself, to share with them. Have a goodie!