in the beginning Genesis chapter eleven II
"They said to each other, 'Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly.' They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar" (Genesis 11:3).
Many ancient cultures used stone as a building material while others made use of sun-dried clay bricks that were easier to put together and provided a little more structural stability. However, Genesis 11:3 tells us that these people on the plain of Shinar decided to go in a much more technically advanced direction.
For example, did you notice that Genesis 11:3 tells us that these construction workers specifically said, "...let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly"? This indicates that these builders were using construction materials that were processed by hardening them in some sort of kiln or furnace. So we can say that these people clearly wanted to create something that was built to last.
We should also notice that these builders used tar as a cementing agent for this building project. While there were other materials that could have been used for this purpose, tar conveniently had the advantage of being waterproof. We'll talk about why these builders might have been intrested in that particular feature a little later.
But for now, let's ask this question: what was the purpose behind this choice of building materials? Well, that answer comes next...
"Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth'" (Genesis 11:4).
Did you detect anyone who was noticeably absent from this building program? If not, let's take another look at this verse to see where the focus of this construction project really is. Here is Genesis 11:4 again but this time, we'll put in a little added emphasis...
"Let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves."
So who is missing from this big construction plan? It's God.
You see, this whole proposal is all about a group of people who wanted to make a name for themselves without any consideration or recognition of their Creator. At best, this building project was designed to serve as a focal point for a group of people who wanted to put themselves first and live without any recognition of God in their lives. At worst, these people were arrogantly looking to build something that represented their internal disrespect and disregard for God.
Unfortunately for them, Somebody had other plans…
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Except as indicated, all Scriptural references taken from The
Living Bible, © 1971, Tyndale House Publishers Back
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