Key Verse: 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 throughout the earth.” (Genesis 11:4 CSB)
I’m always amazed at those who can speak multiple languages. It’s the person who has the ability to seamlessly and effortlessly jump from English to French, or Spanish, or Mandarin, or any other language for that matter. I’m definitely not that guy.
Interestingly though, there was a time in early human history, according to the Scriptures, when “the whole earth had the same language and vocabulary” (v.1). At that time, the people decided to build a city and a large tower that reached high into the sky. It didn’t end well. Instead it backfired on them and went the complete opposite direction than what they were expecting.
As God looked down on what was unfolding and saw the construction that was happening, He stepped in and put a stop to it. He confused the language of the people so that they were no longer able to understand one another. Then, God scattered the people throughout the earth. As a result, the city became known as Babel or Babylon.
One of the great downfalls of the people was the motivation behind their decision to construct a new city and great tower that stretched into the heavens. According to verse 4, 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 throughout the earth.”
The motivation appears to be completely focused on self. It was about self-glorification, self-sufficiency, and human independence apart from God. In doing so, it became an act of rebellion against God. As a result, God stepped in and dealt with them accordingly.
As we consider their example, it begs the question: whose name am I seeking to promote? As I go about my daily work and activities, am I seeking to make a name for myself in this life? Or is my primary motivation about exalting the name of Jesus above all else? One is a path of rebellion. The other is a path of blessing and favour from God.
The Apostle Paul put it well when he wrote, “For we a not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). As followers of Jesus, this life is not to be about us. It is to be about lifting high the name of Jesus, rather than our own. We are called to make much of Him, and to proclaim the greatness and glory of who He is and all that He has done. It’s about pointing others to His glorious work of reconciling humanity with God through faith in Jesus.
May all that we do be about that pursuit. Don’t seek to promote or to make a name for yourself today. Make much of Jesus!
Prayer: Jesus, my desire today is not to make a name for myself but rather to exalt your name above all else. Guard my heart today from all forms of pride, self-sufficiency, and self-glorification. Show me how I can proclaim you more in all that I do today. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
