When The Test Is Over

And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job hath.  Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of Me the thing which is right, like My servant Job.”  So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.  And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.  Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

Job 42:7-11

When God had tested Job, He saw some fault with Job, but Job submitted to the Lord, and did what the Lord commanded him to do. That one thing was to pray for his three friends – Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.

Job had spoken rightly in the things concerning his relationship with God, though Job had received something he did not expect, and that was seeing  God – “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.   Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes”  (Job 42:5-6). Job came through this test a better man.

The three friends heard from God as well, and God was wrathful toward them, and to get right with God they each had to offer burnt offerings of seven bullocks and seven rams, “and the LORD turned the captivity when he prayed for his friends.  There must have been some bitterness between the three friends. Some of the things they each had said would have been hurtful. The three friends were saying by their sacrifice of the burnt offerings, that they were  seeking Job’s forgiveness, and Job showed his forgiveness by praying for forgiveness for their sins against himself, and against God.

God blesses Job for his faithfulness by giving him twice as much as he had had before the test began, and he had many friends to come and to comfort and encourage him.

There is forgiveness for all who will come to God the only way there is; and that is through the cross of Jesus Christ. Confess that you are a sinner and that  Jesus is your Lord, and believe that He was raised from the dead, and you will be saved.

The Return

O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.  Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto Him, ‘Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.  Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Ye are our gods: for in Thee the fatherless findeth mercy.”  Hosea 14:1-3 (KJV)

The Israeli society of the prophet Hosea’s day was not dissimilar from our own.  They worshipped gods aplenty.  There is not many in our society today who would admit to worshipping “gods”, but the United States of America is full of dieties which are worshipped.  There are two I can think of which are promoted everyday.  One is Democracy, as though that is the answer for all ills and lack of freedom in the world.  The other is Capitalism as though that will solve all the financial ills of the world.  There are others;  Money and finance, Science and technology, and Global unity.  One that may make even the best of people angry is we worship our children too.

I see it everyday.  People will jump when their children say “Jump”, “I have a ballgame tonight.  It is 100 miles away.”  Mom and Dad will take off from work to go to the game.  Many will not get up early enough on Sunday morning to darken the doors of their local church and worship the only one and true God.

The Return is when God’s people will hear God’s voice and return to Him, and realize that the only hope I have; the only hope and promise we have is in the LORD of all things.  You will find Him in the cross of His Son Jesus; His death, burial and bodily resurrection.

-T.A.

Day 77 – Shipwrecked, Sin, and Slavery

The world we live in with all the conveniences, comforts, and wealth is not often viewed with slavery, or sin in mind.  As a matter of fact most of the human race would just as soon forget the idea of sin and chalk it up to being an antiquated idea.  An ancient superstition or fear that was in the hearts and minds of people of times long ago.  We are beyond that are we not?  We are a civilized, educated, knowledgeable and technological society free of this “sin idea”.

We better back up and rethink this thought of sin.  My reading this morning of April 17, 2012 was Acts 26-28 and Romans 1-7.

In the reading we find Paul on his way to Rome by ship and the lives of the people on board are in great jeopardy, fear, and loss of life is seemingly imminent.  (I use the word “seemingly” because there is a divine factor involved.)

“Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, ‘Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.’   Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.”  Acts 27:9-11 (KJV)

The godly wisdom of Paul told him, and I am pretty sure the Holy Spirit gave him enlightenment in the situation as well, that there was great harm awaiting the people and ship if they set sail at this time.  The “Centurion” (Roman soldier) did not listen to Paul, but rather to the captain of the ship.  That seems like the logical thing to do, but it was not the right thing to do.

The ship ends up in a storm.  For fear of their lives cargo, much of the ships gear is cast overboard.  They were in this storm for many days, going without food, and began losing hope of ever seeing land again (Acts 27:20).  Paul has received a visit from “the angel of God” and gives them assurance,

“But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, ‘Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.  And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.  For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, ‘Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.  ‘Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.  Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.”  Acts 27:21-26

It was just as Paul told them.  They shipwrecked upon an island, are served by the people, and Paul preaches the gospel to them.  Paul goes to Rome, and it is from Rome we receive the Roman Letter.

In Romans 1 Paul deals with the issue of the sins of the nations.  In chapter two the sins of Israel, including the Jewish religious leaders.  We are told that our sins have brought us short of the glory of God (3:23), and that is God’s intent for humanity, ie. to glorify Him.

The idea of slavery comes into this post by way of  chapter 6 and verse 16 through 18,

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”  Romans 6:16-18

Some people do not like to think about, and there may be some who honestly do not even know it; but there is slavery in our technological society.  There is still evil in this world.  There is a slavery where women, children and some men are kidnapped, and taken and sold for outrageous prices (Of course selling people at any price is outrageous).  These are often sold as sex slaves, placed on streets in foreign cities and in the United States.  However, there is a slavery which we all need to deal with on a personal basis; and that is slavery to sin.

Apart from Jesus Christ there is no real freedom.  If sin has dominion of your life you are in bondage.  People say things like, “Religion is bondage” or something like that and try to present the picture that freedom is “Doing as one pleases with their lives”.  One’s who are in Christ Jesus are truly free to do as they desire, because it is God who gives us our desires when we are walking with Him (Psalm 37:4).

Paul says at the end of chapter 7,

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”  Romans 7:24-25

Turn to Jesus Christ.  The only source of peace, joy, freedom and forgiveness.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Confronting The Culture

Confronting The Culture
Acts 17:15-34

The apostle Paul has been to Thessalonica, and forced to leave there due to those who were trying to kill him, basically the Jewish people, as he taught them in their synagogue.  He then goes to Berea, and the Jews of Berea are much more “noble” because they search the Scriptures to see if what Paul is teachiing them is true.  In Berea, though, Jews from Thessalonica come to bring ill to Paul, and the message of the Gospel.

The apostle is then forced to leave Berea, sent to Athens, and there he discovers a mission field ripe for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

THE CITY OF ATHENS IS WHOLLY GIVEN TO IDOLATRY (vv. 15-16).  The world in which Christians live today is much like Athens of Paul’s day.  The United States itself, is made up of many religions.  Though it was originally built upon Judeo/Christian principles taken from the Bible there are many parts of the culture who want nothing to do with Christ, Christianity, and some do not even want God in the picture of their lives, or this country.

We have already had prayer removed from our Public Schools, and in order for “unity” which is basically “uniformity” we must not pray in public meetings, as Christians, in the name of “Jesus” any longer; we might offend someone.  It is best in those situations not to mention the cross or resurrection of Jesus Christ.  However, it is okay for the muslim to pray and use the name of Allah, the moon god, one name of many gods which Mohammed originally worshipped.  It is okay for the Buddhist to mention Buddha, and all the religions can mention their deity.

Idolatry permeates our land.  It begins with the god of Greed.  Greed rules through the hearts of men and women of all ages, and in business galore.  If more wealth is all that is in your heart and life, then you are certainly full of the god “Greed”.  He controls your thoughts, your heart to the point that your family is neglected, and most of all, God is out of the picture.  For some Science is the answer to all our ills, and the drive of some to conquer space and inner space.  Technology is also the answer for getting further into outer space, searching the galaxies, stars and planets for other life.  It also seems to be the answer to greater mobilization, and better sources of knowledge (science).

Mankind himself has become a god of sorts.  It is after all our knowledge that has made such strides in medicine, science and technology, and gains of great wealth.  It is us who has done it.  Arrogance, pride, and rebellion against holy God is what that is and it will not stand forever.

As Christians we must shun falling prey the lies of the false prophets and teachers who tell us that we are our own source of prosperity, health, technology and science.  The culture may be wholly given to idolatry, however, as Christians we have the message that can change the world, and that message is the gospel of Jesus Christ; that He died for our sins, according to Scripture; and that He was buried; and the the third day rose from the grave bodily and was witnessed by more than five hundred witnesses; and that all who will come humbly before Him confessing their sin, repenting, and calling on His name shall be saved – receiving eternal life with Him.  Anything short of Jesus Christ is pure idolatry.

THE APOSTLE’S DISPUTATIONS WITH THE JEWS AND GENTILES (vv. 17-18).  Even in Athens Paul goes to the synagogue.  He wants his brethren “according to the flesh” (Romans 9:1-5) to come to faith in Christ.  He longs for them to repent and believe.

It is quite evident by the apostle’s preaching and teaching that the gospel is meant for all who will hear it and believe.  We may curse the fact that our country [the United States of America] is being filled with people from other parts of the world.  It shows me that others are desperately wanting to come to a nation which is free from tyranny, free from communism, and free from a state religion which tells its people how to live their lives, how to dress, and kills them, or takes their property when they convert to Christianity [so far].

We should be thankful for the numbers who are coming to America seeking these things.  The greatest gift the United States has to give these people is the message of Jesus Christ, and the freedom from sin and its condemnation.

A NEW DOCTRINE NEEDED A NEW HEARING (vv. 19-21).  The people of Athens were curious about this new doctrine of a crucified, buried, and resurrected man.  The Athenians were debaters, disputers, and philosophers.  They enjoyed hearing new things, then disputing them with the promoters of that teaching.

We live in a time when people are moved by debate, apologetics, and arguments.  Everyone has an opinion, and no one’s opinion is better than any other, except the ones you agree with.  That is the philosophies of men.  However, the message of the apostle Paul, and any messenger of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not debatable, because it is the truth.  Others may dispute it, despise it, disdain it; but that doesn’t affect that it is still the truth.

It is surprising and almost shocking to realize that there are still people, even in the United States of America who have not heard of the death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I found that out a few years ago while I was attending Boyce Bible School in Louisville, Kentucky.  While working part time at a Townhouse, and Condominium living area as a gardener the chief gardener ask what Baptists believed and I told him the gospel of Jesus Christ.  His response was, “I have never heard that before”.  He told me that he was Catholic, so I understood.  It still surprised me to know that there were people in the USA who had never heard the true message of Jesus.

With the many beliefs in our nation today, there are probably many more who have never heard, but would be curious, should they ever hear even a smidgen of the truth.

THE MESSAGE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL (vv. 22-31).  With the many idols which Paul saw in Athens he marvelled that there was a place [an altar] “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD”.  It is as though, they had erected an altar to all the gods/idols they could imagine, or think of; and just in case they might have missed one who might happen to be the one true God; they erect an altar to Him.

These were a very religious people.  The KJV says “superstitious” which fits as well.  When people are unsure of a deity or deities, they will be very superstitious.  That is when you have them going to horoscopes, reading tea leaves, turning to nature worship [pantheism], black arts (such as witchcraft), and old nature religions (including druidism); the worship, or dependence upon any image of man is idol worship; the worship of any of God’s creation is also idolatry.  Paul likens such worship as the “worship of demons” (1 Corinthians 10:20-21).

Paul did not present it so bluntly, nor did he even mention the worship of demons to them, but he  did make it quite plain that there was only one God who was worthy of worship, and by whom He will judge,” by that man whom he hath ordained” (v. 31) ,and His name is Jesus Christ.  He is the resurrected One, and He ever lives and is seated at the Father’s right hand (Hebrews 1:3, 13: 8:1; 10:12: 12:2;  1 Peter 3:22).

A DIVIDED CROWD WITH A DIVIDED RESPONSE (vv. 32-34).  When the gospel of Jesus Christ, ie.; the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins, His burial – carrying our sins away never to be judged  by them again once they have been confessed and there has been repentance, and the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the grave, appearing to over 500 witnesses during the forty days before He ascended into heaven; is preached there will continue to be various responses.  There was in Paul’s day; there is in our day.

In the 17th chapter of Acts we can see varied responses to the gospel as Paul went and preached in the synagogues and other places.  Many of the Jewish leaders resisted the gospel, the Word of God (vv. 1-9); Some of them heard and believed including  Jews and Gentiles (vv. 10, 15); Then, in these verses there were those who ridiculed the gospel of Christ Jesus, and some of these believed it.

In this message Paul told the people of Athens of the “Greatness of God” – He is Creator (vv. 24-25).  He tells them of the “Goodness of God” – He is Provider (vv. 25b-26).  The apostle tells them of the “Government of God” – He is Sovereign (vv. 27-31a).  He does not end with that, however, and concludes telling them of the “Grace of God” – He is Savior (v. 31b)

The opinions and philosophies of men are just that opinions and philosophies, which have no power, little lone saving power.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the “power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes” (Romans 1:16).  It is the position of the man and woman of God to preach the gospel, to proclaim the gospel; it is the power of God to save people through the gospel.  We have no power to save, only God does.

Some of these in Athens heard Paul and rejected the message, and some said, “We will hear you again on this matter”; and others received it and followed Paul.

The important thing is what will you do with the message of the gospel.  If you hear it and believe, and call on the name of the Lord Jesus for salvation, you can be saved.  If you reject it, and die you will go to eternal judgment.  The choice is yours when you have heard the word of God.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Laughter Of The LORD

The rulers of earth under the crafty counsel of the serpent, and many times without their notice, or care seek to overthrow the direction of the Almighty God.  We looked at this in the first three verses of the Second Psalm.  The rage of the nations against the Almighty will come to naught. Our “science” and technology are given to us because our Creator has created.  Without God there would be no science or technology.  There would be no man; nor would there be any part of creation.

“He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.  Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure.” Psalm 2:4-5 (KJV).

Have you ever thought of God as laughing?  There is no doubt that He laughs.  I do not believe, as a matter of fact, I know I would not want Him laughing in this matter toward me.  This concerns the puny efforts of men. It kind of reminds me of the idea of man creating life, and God says, “Get your own dirt”.  We cannot create life without that which God has already given.

We humans are many times awed by the work of our own hands.  The architectural designs of buildings, our cities skylines are sometimes beautiful in the evenings lit by electrical power; but nothing compares to the beauties of God’s creation.  The automotive designs of our automobiles; but what about the design of the human body; designed by our Creator.  The books and articles that are written; what about the book He has breathed for us to read, and heed.  These other things are the works of men.  It can be seen even in the religions of mankind.  “Look at what I have done” is too many times in the hearts of men.

God, the LORD, is the One who sits in the heavens.  He is the one who laughs at our petty attempts at being god.  That is what is on display here.  Attempts similar to that of the devil when he five times proclaimed “I will” (Isaiah 14:12-15).  In this God, the LORD, will have nothing but contempt for these hateful designs of godhood.  It is the arrogance and pride of the human will that keeps them from calling on the name of our Creator for salvation; or sometimes even acknowledging that He exists.

In His love He has given us His Son, and struck Him (judging all sin) on the cross that all who will call on His name will be saved.  In His wrath He speaks to them and shows His great displeasure.  There is only one way to give pleasure to the LORD God, and that is through His gift to us of His Son Jesus.  He does not laugh at those who are in Him.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Unclean Lips – Vile Heart

Well did Isaiah the prophet write, “Woe is me, for I am undone!  Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips…” (Isaiah 6:5). 

Jesus has been confronted, and wrongly and evily so, concerning the matter of eating with unwashed hands.  To their pride Jesus answered them concerning the fifth commandment, “Honor your father and mother”, the one with promise; and charges them with “transgressing the law”.  This was the law of God.  What Jesus had actuall done was violate a commandment of men, who wanted to use their vile law to condemn the very Son of God.

It was the privilege of the religious elite to write off any of their aid for parents as “gift to God” and thus were able to use the aid for themselves, or as they saw fit; dishonoring their parents.  This brings us to Jesus’ charge against them.

“Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, ‘This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.’ And He called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.” Matthew 15:7-11 (KJV)

There is much “Lip service” given to God and Christ today.  Sadly much of it comes from unclean hearts, thus, unclean lips.  Those lips, however are not unclean from what goes in through the mouth, but what comes out of the mouth. 

Jesus calls them “Hypocrites”, and then quotes to them the prophet Isaiah’s words concerning the lips of those with hearts far from God.  The people of Isaiah’s day appear to be affluent, comfortable, have “the world by the tail”, coming and going as they please.  They are also “worshipping” God as they please as well.  Their Sabbath duties are fulfilled, they voice their prayers, and have the Scriptures read to them – on the Sabbath – then, they go out into their daily living, and they fall down before idols.  The prophet warns Judah of a coming judgment upon them unless they repent of their ways.  And judgment comes.

Jesus tells these leaders that their hearts are defiled.  We often use a napkin to wipe our mouth when we are eating a meal; we can use a tooth brush to cleanse our mouth after a meal; but there is nothing that can cleans a foul and vile heart, but the love, blood, and cross of Jesus Christ.

There are many professing Christians today (2008) who are professing faith in Christ yet living in the way of the world.  Worshipping the money/finance, celebrities, health care, presidents, pornograpy, globalism, science and technology, and some even worship their children.  Much of this false worship is associated with comforts, pleasures, conveniences, etc.  Jesus said, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).  Whatever is on your heart is what you worship and cherish most.  Though we do have “kings” a plenty in the good old USA, “Every man does that which is right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

All true worship is done through Jesus Christ.  If Jesus is not central to the worship of God then, there is no worship of God.  It is vile, dirty, unclean lips that cannot praise Jesus, and that all comes from and unclean heart.

Receive a clean heart by hearing the truth of the Word of God, that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day He rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-6).

May God be merciful to us, as we turn from idolatry, unclean lips, to Him, and a cleansed life through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Slavery In Two Thousand Eight

There is not much said about it.  Maybe it is because we don’t believe that it is going on around us.  Maybe it is because we can’t believe that there are people who would do that to other people.  Maybe we don’t care enough.

With Abraham Lincoln’s signing, slavery was supposed to be ended nearly 150 years ago here in the United States of America.  Yet, it goes on.  Some may wonder what I am talking about.  There are hundreds of thousands of men, women, boys and girls throughout the world who are bought and sold, and often through kidnapping for the purpose of slavery, or as it is called now “Human Trafficking” not as informed on this topic as I should be, however it makes my blood boil to think that right here in the “land of the free” that there are women and children who are in bondage as sex slaves.  Some of these are foreigners who came here with a promise of great reward, but find themselves, “Paying off a debt”.

The problem of slavery is worldwide.  Some are slaves for farm labor in some nations.  There are some who are enslaved to work in factories, and also as slaves to the pimps of prostitution; who have absolutely no care except to fill their own pockets with all they can.  It is quite possible; at least in my mind; that many kidnap victims who have not been found, and some of those missing were probably taken and sold for auction in or to another country, or hidden away in this one as who knows what. 

To be very honest with you I don’t even feel right asking God to be merciful to the guilty human slavers who would hold another human being as a slave.  I do pray, however, that God will be merciful and open their eyes that they may find Christ Jesus,  that God will also be merciful to their captives.

It is true that there is nothing in the Bible which forbids slavery, but there is everything in  it that shows that we are to treat our fellow man with love and respect.  When you have a chance read the short Letter of Philemon.  Written by the Apostle Paul to Philemon concerning his  runaway servant Onesimus.  You will find it interesting and encouraging.

The Justice Department of the USA does not want to pass too strong a law to where they will need to jail those women who are prostitutes earning a living.  It is sad that many are looking at these women as earning an honest wage.  It is their means.  What has gone wrong with America?  By the way, prostitution is not the oldest profession in the world.  It is not a profession as in the sense of Medicine, Law, Farming, Business, Technology, Science, etc..  It is a possession; and maybe an obsession.  It should be illegal in every State of our Nation, and in the world.  The men and women who indulge in the abhorrent behavior, should be taught a new way of life and living.

Christian, we need to pray and fight slavery wherever we see it; wherever we find it.  Every Christian was at one time a slave to sin; but thank the Lord Jesus Christ we have been set free, and that freedom is available to all who will believe.  Let us keep our eyes and ears open to the children and adults we converse with, work with, shop around, and hear what is going on in this world that is so quickly perishing.  Let us not be so quick assume that all is well with everyone.  It is not.  Let us not fear getting involved where we see a need.

To be honest with you I am not sure what we could do if we saw a real case of slavery, except to report it to the officials of law.  Let us be ever vigilant to pray for wisdom, and the guidance of the Spirit of God.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Building Insignificant Towers

An Insignificant Tower

Genesis 11:1-9

“And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.” Genesis 11:1-9 (KJV).

At this time, which according to any records, that are of around the time of Nimrod (10:8-11); tell us that Nimrod was probably the builder of this city and religion. The whole earth – the Japhethites, the Hamites, and the Shemites were all still hanging around together. They all still had the same language and speech.

They journeyed together, found a fertile, pleasant plain in which to farm, build, and to erect a monument to man’s achievements – the tower of arrogance. This would indeed come to nought. Human government without God will always fail. In Daniel 2 Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and in the dream he saw four Gentile Human Governments fall, and come to ruin.

In the Second Psalm we find these words, “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His anointed saying, ‘Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.'” (Psalm 2:1-3). The purpose of human government; because the devil is the prince of the power of the air; is to overthrow the God of Creation. Don’t you believe for an instant that he has any sincerity in it; because he knows he is already a defeated foe. He has already lost the battle. Jesus won the victory on the cross; and the resurrection is all the evidence that we need.

The building of the tower was really only a monument to the achievements of man. So soon following the flood they are still filled with arrogance, and haughty spirits. There are Insignificant Towers we build even today. One of those towers of insignificance is the Space Program [NASA]. Has anyone noticed the arrogance involved in this program, yet we are reminded occasionally of how small, and fragile we really are. With the space shuttle exploding in 1986 and killing all on board, then again, another one burning up coming back down to earth, and killing all on board in February of 2001. Yet we persist in its foolish endeavors Let me tell you this – the idea of space adventure fascinates me. I think it would be a glorious sight to be in space and look back down to earth and see this wondrous globe as it rotates and revolves, just as God ordained it to be. But, there is so much, too much pride and haughtiness involved. When we exalt ourselves over God we fail.

Another tower of insignificance would be technology. Medical, electronic, automotive, communication, etc.. Again, don’t take me wrong. I appreciate all this stuff. It is great to have, at least until it breaks down or just outdates itself; or I don’t know how to use it. The problem with the things are that our pride leads to the place of exalting ourselves over God, and that brings His judgment upon us.

That is what happened at Babel “the gate of god”. Then, because it became a place of exalting self over God; God came down and confused the languages, making it a place of “Babel” or “Confusion”. God puts no approval in Global Human Government. He commanded the people to scatter over the earth, and that is clearly what He did by the confusing of the speech. It seems that He did it with care keeping the families all together. Husband and wife went together with their children if they had children. The families of Japheth were with Japheth. The families of Ham were with Ham. The families of Shem were with Shem.

I believe that it was at this time or not long following that there was the massive earthquake that makes mention in chapter ten verse 25. This set each one in a different area on the globe. When God brings Global unity, togetherness it will be by His holy Son Jesus Christ, and He will rule on earth.