Lesson from our Session…………………………..
TUESDAY
(Genesis 11:3) And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar.
James E. Smith explains, “The motives of the tower builders are not entirely clear. . . . Maybe they hoped that the tower would provide protection from another Flood or from enemies who might attempt to scatter them. So the tower pointed to man’s attempt to glorify and fortify himself.”
C. F. Keil suggests, “The real motive therefore was the desire for renown, and the object was to establish a noted central point, which might serve to maintain their unity.”
God warns against plans for building things that perish (Ps 49:11-13) Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
Lesson: It is bad enough to sin alone; it is even worse to encourage others to join you (Gen. 11:3-4)
Reflection: Because God has made us social creatures, we seek the company if not the approval of those around us. When hidden sin goes unaddressed in our lives, it has the capacity to connect us to others who share that sin and even seek to corrupt those whose company we keep.