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Gen. 11
One of the statements God made when the people united to build the Tower of Babel was, “…and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.” (Gen. 11:6b). Interpreting this statement fully from a human nature perspective paints God much like one of the mythological gods. We see a god jealous for his position and power, intervening to protect himself against mankind. This is why we need to look at the Bible as a whole. This human characterization of God simply doesn’t fit the rest of the picture. The Bible clearly tells us that God’s thoughts and ways are not like ours. And it certainly shows us enough of His very different character for us to know that He isn’t our idea of self-serving.
So how are we to interpret this strange statement from God? I wish I understood old Hebrew literary style, to shed some light on the word usage here. But I don’t. What I do know is that it is ridiculous to think that God truly feared that a united humanity would literally be able to accomplish anything. The next logical step to me is that God knew there was nothing unified mankind would not attempt. As Eugene Peterson put it in The Message, “they’ll stop at nothing!” Now that is a thought that fits with the rest of the Biblical message.
What I see in this situation, then, is that mankind was headed full-tilt down the path of Cain. This is the human path, in direct opposition to God. Because God knows where that path leads, He, in His great mercy, intervened. By confusing their language, God moved man off the “Destruction Express” and put him back on the foot path. Also, in my brief research on this story, I ran across another thought as to what God accomplished with this action. In scattering the people, He put them back in-step with His command to Noah and sons to fill the earth.
Thus, what, through a human lens, looks like a domineering god exerting his power on mankind, becomes the merciful act of a loving Creator, stepping in to ensure that the narrow path to reconciliation with Him remains available to all who seek it. Indeed, right on the heels of this story comes the genealogy of Shem, Noah’s blessed son. Thus, the so-called scarlet thread of God’s promised Messiah remains intact, continuing on to Abram.
Matt. 10
I had a Bible teacher back in high school who said that when we come across the word, “therefore”, we should always stop and ask what the therefore is there for. I am trying to do that for verse 26, where Jesus said, “Therefore do not fear them”. His prior statements warned that His disciples would suffer persecution, just as He did. He said, “I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matt. 10:16a). And, “If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!” (Matt. 10:25b). So I read, “They are vicious wolves and they will attack you; therefore do not fear them.” What?!?
The counter-statements I see in Jesus’ speech are that the Spirit of the Father would speak for them and that the one who endures to the end will be saved. Furthermore He said, “It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master.” (Matt. 10:25a). Perhaps that statement means more than that people would persecute Jesus’ followers, just as they did Jesus. Perhaps that statement is also the key to the “therefore”. I think Jesus was letting His disciples know that there was purpose in the difficult road He was sending them on. For those who endured it, the coming persecution would make them more like Christ.
Jesus then went on to explain that not only would God be with them and care for them through it all, but that He would also hold evildoers accountable for their evil deeds. Thus, I believe God’s presence and purpose are the reason for Jesus’ “therefore” statement. Whatever man throws at us cannot alter God’s hold on our lives. Therefore, we should not let fear of man alter our faithfulness to God, even when – especially when – things get hard.
Ezra 10
Shecaniah said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God…yet now there is hope for Israel in spite of this” (from Ez. 10:2). Hope in spite of unfaithfulness – that sounds familiar. What followed was a covenant of repentance from the people. Again, familiar. The hope in spite of our unfaithfulness also lies in a covenant. Ours is a sure hope, as the covenant is not with God, but from Him and by Him. All we need to do is repent; to turn away from our unfaithfulness and commit ourselves to that covenant.