A Modern Tower of Babel
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010submitted by: preachergreg
Burj Dubai (Arabic for “Dubai Tower”) is now completed. Rising 2,717 feet, the $1.5 billion structure is the tallest in the world. It will have a swimming pool on the 76th floor and a mosque on the 158th floor. Builders of the Dubai Tower wanted it to be a monument to the boundless human spirit of their people (ironically, it was designed by a U.S. firm out of Chicago).
Builders of the original tower of Babel had a similar motive. “Let us make for ourselves a name” (Genesis 11:4). Their intent was to bring glory to themselves and not God. Babel was about the human spirit rather than the Holy Spirit. It was a tribute to the potential of men rather than the possibilities with God.
The ultimate aim for man is not to build monuments to ourselves. Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Ultimately, the human spirit is full of potential only as it is full of faith in the Creator. He is the one able to do more than we could ever imagine (Ephesians 3:20). To Him be the glory!
Tags: pride, tower of Babel