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Each month the Glen Park Gospel Church produce a one page newsletter called the Green Leaf. It's available from the chapel each Sunday. Anything that may be of mild interest will be published here.

Babel

"Come, let us..."
Genesis 1:26, 11:3,4,7

The tower of Babel is generally thought to have been a brick spire that reached as high as possible, perhaps to see what is up there in the sky. However, as this tower was built in Shinar (Sumer), between the Tigris and Euphrates, it makes more sense that it would be a ziggurat, which is square, steep sided and flat on the top, though still very tall. The terrain in Sumer, in modern day Iraq is flat, so the Bible tells us the tower was made of brick and tar (Genesis 11:3).

A tower with it's top in the heavens (v4) does not necessarily mean it reached the clouds, just that it was a high meeting place between God and man. Man built the structure and invited God to it, but not to the city, nor into their lives. They were not trying to honour God but to make a name for themselves (v4).

This was only five generations after Noah (10:25) and Noah was still alive. The people knew that they were supposed to be populating the earth (1:28). But instead (11:4) they were boastfully building monuments to themselves. So God intervened by confusing their language so that, not understanding each other, they went their separate ways (v7-9). "Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech."

God used language to divide humanity into many nations. Acts 2:4 & 8 provides a fascinating juxtaposition where God is not limited by our foreign tongues. "And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?" No tower or temple is required and we do not need to force God's hand. Rather, God provides a way and the Spirit of Christ restores our communion with God.

Topical source: Nils Glenn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AK_cyXfn6o

Thought for the Month

Come, let us...
Babel was one of many unique occasions in history, though it was a quite stark event. More scripture on the plans we make and those that God has for us.

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." Proverbs 16:9
"The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples." Psalm 33:10
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

The Three Year Bible readings will continue to cycle on this site as usual, click here.

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