What Hope for Society? - Genesis 11:-12:9; Proverbs 26:2-6 and 29:2-4 - January 28, 2007

Sunday school Lesson – What Hope for Society? – January 28, 2007

This is lesson four (4) in our series “Creation Faith: Living by GOD’S Design.”

Our background scripture is Genesis 11:1-12:9; Proverbs 28-29.

Our focus scripture is Genesis 11:1-9; Proverbs 28:2-6; 29:2-4.

Our country, the United States of America, was founded upon “In GOD we trust” with the ideal of liberty and justice for all. Are we compromising our very foundation of “In GOD we trust” so as not to offend anyone else’s god? I think we are. Yes, others are free to worship as they choose but we as Americans have chosen WHO we will worship, so don't make us compromise. We as a nation are becoming more liberal every day and compromising our very heritage of “In GOD we trust.”

Our battle in Iraq is not with flesh and blood but with the spirit world. Yes, men and women are dying every day fighting to give Iraq freedom. Our lesson today will open our eyes to the real battle we are waging in Iraq. It is a battle that has been raging for thousands of years. We as Christians must pray that the strongholds of evil will be broken so there will be victory in Iraq. Victory begins with conquering the evil strongholds of Bagdad and Iraq. Babylon has been the focus of anti-god activity for thousands of years.

Let’s read Genesis 11:1-4:

1 At one time the whole earth had the same language and vocabulary.[1] Lit one lip and the same words 2 As people[2] Lit they migrated from the east, they found a valley in the land of • Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let us make oven-fired bricks.” They had brick for stone and asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

The people from the east had settled in the land of Shinar. Who are these people and where is the land of Shinar?

When Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, they went east.

The land of Shinar is a plain located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers or the Babylonian area. It is believed that the Tower of Babel was being built about 30 miles from, what we know today, as Bagdad.

Verse 2 tells us the people came from the east and settled in the land of Shinar. This area is the city of Babylon and the area we know today as Bagdad.

Genesis 3:24:

24 He drove man out, and east of the garden of Eden He stationed • cherubim with a flaming, whirling sword to guard the way to the tree of life.

After Cain killed Abel and GOD dwelt with him, Cain went east.

Genesis 4:16:

16 Then Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

In Genesis 10:30 we learn that after the flood they journeyed to the east.

Genesis 10:30:

30 Their settlements extended from Mesha to Sephar, the eastern hill country.

So there are plenty of people who can come from the east.

It seems building a tower is a benign activity. It is a group effort to build a great monument for the entire world to see and it would be a good tourist attraction, provide income and keep the people together.

Archeology has unearthed ruins revealing sophisticated architectural structures in this area. They had the materials to build a very high tower. It would have been a major attraction if completed. The people wanted to build a monument to themselves. They wanted to highlight their achievements and leave GOD out.

Notice the number of times the word “let us” is used. The motivation of the people was self directed and they were unified by all speaking one language and having a common objective. They were going to do their own thing and leave GOD out.

We do the same today. We want to build great things to bring glory to ourselves and to receive the applause of man. There is nothing wrong with ambition. But we must never relegate GOD to the sidelines as a Christian desiring to serve HIM through selfisn ambition. We must serve HIM with obedient lives. That is why we must have the right relationship with HIM so our flesh does not lead us astray.

Man has his plans to use his own efforts to reach god. It is believed that the purpose of the tower was to build a ziggurat. A ziggurat is a pyramid type structure with steps leading to the top of the structure with a temple on top. It was for worshiping the various gods and not the ONE TRUE GOD, JEHOVAH. The purpose of the structure was to make a mountain to get closer to god.

A typically ziggurat was about 70 feet high. It is believed that the Tower Of Babel was to be about 300 feet high. Truly a high structure and an engineering marvel for the period.

So man has his plans to unify mankind using a manmade structure. But man’s efforts to unify are selfish and self-centered.

GOD has HIS plan to unify mankind by sending HIS ONLY SON JESUS into the world to give HIS life. GOD reaches down to mankind to redeem and unify. We see GOD’S plan to unify mankind in Acts 2.

Let’s read Acts 2:1-13:

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech. 5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 And they were astounded and amazed, saying,[1] Other mss add to one another “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and • Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and • proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages the magnificent acts of God.” 12 And they were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What could this be?” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re full of new wine!”
What a contrast. The tower of Babel represents man’s efforts to either try to be god or to reach god through his own effort. They all spoke one (1) language and GOD changed that language.

Pentecost is GOD confirming HIS love to all humans through the death and resurrection of HIS ONLY SON JESUS and the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT to all believers. As a result all believer’s speak one (1) language and have been speaking one (1) language ever since. That language is the language of the gospel of CHRIST.

GOD desires for us to be united but for the purpose of obediently serving HIM. HE wants unity in the body of CHRIST. Unity can only be achieved as each Christian yields his or her will to GOD and partners with GOD to build an intimate loving relationship together. When we have the proper relationship with HIM then we can have the proper relationship with our brothers and sisters in CHRIST. Through CHRIST we all fit together to build a living temple to the glory of GOD.

Let’s read Genesis 11:5-9:

5 Then the Lord came down to look over the city and the tower that the • men were building. 6 The Lord said, “If, as one people all having the same language, they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let Us go down there and confuse[3] Or confound their language[4] Lit lip so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”[5] Lit understand each man the lip of his companion 8 So the Lord scattered them from there over the face of the whole earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babylon,[6] The Hb word for confuse sounds like Babylon. for there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth, and from there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Notice man thought he was building such a high structure to reach god. But GOD said let’s go down to see this thing man has built. GOD is showing man that his efforts always fall short of trying to reach GOD.

GOD put an end to man’s effort by confusing their language and they were scattered. Man was headed in the wrong direction and GOD took action to protect mankind until mankind would be redeemed from sin and death through CHRIST.

Let’s read Genesis 6:5 to see that man is capable of some horrific things when GOD is not part of their lives.

Genesis 6:5-8:
5 When the Lord saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, 6 the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 Then the Lord said, “I will wipe off the face of the earth: man, whom I created, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky—for I regret that I made them.” 8 Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

We owe our very existence to Noah and his faithfulness. GOD confused the language at the Tower of Babel because HE did not want a repeat of what happened before the flood.

Let’s read Proverbs 28:2-5:

2 When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures. 3 A destitute leader[1] LXX reads A wicked man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. 4 Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law battle against them. 5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand everything.[2] 1 Co 2:15

Leadership is critical for any society. Proverbs makes it clear that a country, church, city, home or company with many leaders results in chaos but wise leadership results in strength and endurance.

A poor leader results in making the people he leads poor.

The people who want law and order are in a constant battle with those who want to do their own thing.

Wise leadership is critical for countries, cities, companies, businesses, churches and homes.

Let’s read Proverbs 29:2-4:
2 When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, people groan.[2] Pr 28:1; Ex 2:23; 1 Ch 29:9 3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.[3] Pr 15:20; 23:24–25; Lk 15:13 4 By justice a king brings stability to a land, but a man [who demands]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. “contributions”[4] The Hb word usually refers to offerings in worship. demolishes it.

Again wise leadership is a blessing to the people. The things of the world will result in destruction. True justice is critical for stability in a country. A leader who can be bribed will destroy a country. In such a country where leaders can be bribed, the wealthy can get their way and the poor suffer.

GOD wants HIS children to have the relationship with HIM such that they will see the work that HE is doing in a country and then join HIM in that work.

We live in a world of sin. GOD’S desire is for unity and oneness through CHRIST. The political world calls us the Evangelicals. They recognize us as a force that needs to be considered. So the politicians will be trained to speak our language. Some already know the language of salvation because they are Christians. Others will try to look like and speak like Christians.
GOD gives us the scripture to alert us to recognizing righteous leaders. America will have the opportunity to elect a new leader in 2008. We need to pray for GOD’S choice to be nominated and elected. And, also, pray that we will not be misled by a false leader.

This is a fitting conclusion to our journey from the creation of the world to living as a human in society.

Ephesians 1:4:
4 for He chose[3] Rm 11:5–7; 1 Co 1:26–31; 1 Th 1:4; 2 Th 2:13; 1 Pt 1:1–2 us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] Vv. 3–14 are 1 sentence in Gk. In love[5] Or In His sight in love

You and I are special!!!