The God Who Gives Us Significance
The God Who Gives Us Significance
Genesis 9-12
“They said let us make for ourselves a name…The Lord said I will make your name great.”
How do we achieve greatness and success in life? Something deep within us searches for significance and meaning in life. We want to live a life that matters and impacts those around us.
The story of the tower of Babel reveals the audacity of man and their attempt to find meaning and purpose without God. After the flood's destruction, people sought to achieve greatness apart from God rather than dedicate themselves to serving and accomplishing His purpose for humanity. The story unfolds with humanities attempt to gain notoriety. It was more than just an audacious building project. It was an act of disobedience of God’s mandate to fill the earth. Part of the mandate of creation and the purpose of God was for humanity to fill the earth (Genesis 1:28). The motivation for the tower was to thwart this plan (vs 4). However, a statement in verse four reveals the heart of sinful man. The statement is “Let us make for ourselves a name.” In other words, they wanted to achieve meaning in life on their own. At the heart of sin, is the pursuit for significance in life apart from God. However, in their quest they found only meaningless and judgment.
It is not by happenstance that the story of Babel is bracketed by two significant events in which God makes a covenant with people. In Genesis 9, God makes an unconditional covenant with Noah and all humanity. A covenant is a binding legal agreement between two parties, usually between a person in authority and those that seek refuge under His protection. Often these covenants were conditional, assuring protection for the people if they obey and demonstrate fidelity to the king. However, in this case, the Noahic and Abrahamic covenants are both unconditional. They promise and assure that God will act gracefully and compassion towards humanity. In the Noahic covenant, God promises never to destroy the earth again with a flood. He then gives the sign of the rainbow as a testimony of the promises. This covenant is more than just a promise that He would not judge; it is a promise of God’s grace. It is the first hint that God will gracefully act towards sinful humanity.
However, the Abrahamic covenant is the pinnacle of God’s grace towards humanity. This covenant provides us the first glimpse into the redemptive plan of God. Through the seed of Abraham God will bring a blessing and salvation for all humanity. In the covenant we find the first declaration of how God will bring salvation to the world. In the expulsion from the garden, the Noahic flood and in the tower of Babel, God warns that judgment will come upon humanity when they continue to rebel against Him. But now, in the Abrahamic covenant God provides the first declaration of how He will bring salvation to the world (which was hinted at in Genesis 3:15). However, a statement in verse 2 is essential to understand how our salvation will be achieved. In 11:4, humanity attempted to “make a name” for themselves by their own efforts. However, in 12:2, God states that He will make “a name” for Abraham. God makes it clear that our salvation and access to God is not achieved by man’s merit, but by God’s act of grace and compassion. However, it also coveys a warning. Those that reject this covenantal promise to Abraham will be cursed. However, those that embrace this covenant promise will experience God’s blessing. Furthermore. this covenant and the blessings that God will give, is not just for Abraham and the Jews, it is a covenant for all humanity, for he affirms, “In you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (12:3).
In these two covenant we find the heart of God and his desire and plan for all humanity, including us today. God is a gracious God who offers salvation to sinful humanity. We are confronted with a choice: either attempt to gain notoriety and salvation apart from God’s plan, which brings judgment, or surrender and trust in the God who brings salvation by His grace. Are we trying to make a name for ourselves based upon our own efforts and plans, or are we surrendering to God’s redemptive plan for us revealed in His covenantal promises fulfilled in Christ? Are we trying to make a name for ourselves or allowing God to make a name for us? Whose agenda for life are we seeking to follow, ours or God’s?
Genesis 9-12
“They said let us make for ourselves a name…The Lord said I will make your name great.”
How do we achieve greatness and success in life? Something deep within us searches for significance and meaning in life. We want to live a life that matters and impacts those around us.
The story of the tower of Babel reveals the audacity of man and their attempt to find meaning and purpose without God. After the flood's destruction, people sought to achieve greatness apart from God rather than dedicate themselves to serving and accomplishing His purpose for humanity. The story unfolds with humanities attempt to gain notoriety. It was more than just an audacious building project. It was an act of disobedience of God’s mandate to fill the earth. Part of the mandate of creation and the purpose of God was for humanity to fill the earth (Genesis 1:28). The motivation for the tower was to thwart this plan (vs 4). However, a statement in verse four reveals the heart of sinful man. The statement is “Let us make for ourselves a name.” In other words, they wanted to achieve meaning in life on their own. At the heart of sin, is the pursuit for significance in life apart from God. However, in their quest they found only meaningless and judgment.
It is not by happenstance that the story of Babel is bracketed by two significant events in which God makes a covenant with people. In Genesis 9, God makes an unconditional covenant with Noah and all humanity. A covenant is a binding legal agreement between two parties, usually between a person in authority and those that seek refuge under His protection. Often these covenants were conditional, assuring protection for the people if they obey and demonstrate fidelity to the king. However, in this case, the Noahic and Abrahamic covenants are both unconditional. They promise and assure that God will act gracefully and compassion towards humanity. In the Noahic covenant, God promises never to destroy the earth again with a flood. He then gives the sign of the rainbow as a testimony of the promises. This covenant is more than just a promise that He would not judge; it is a promise of God’s grace. It is the first hint that God will gracefully act towards sinful humanity.
However, the Abrahamic covenant is the pinnacle of God’s grace towards humanity. This covenant provides us the first glimpse into the redemptive plan of God. Through the seed of Abraham God will bring a blessing and salvation for all humanity. In the covenant we find the first declaration of how God will bring salvation to the world. In the expulsion from the garden, the Noahic flood and in the tower of Babel, God warns that judgment will come upon humanity when they continue to rebel against Him. But now, in the Abrahamic covenant God provides the first declaration of how He will bring salvation to the world (which was hinted at in Genesis 3:15). However, a statement in verse 2 is essential to understand how our salvation will be achieved. In 11:4, humanity attempted to “make a name” for themselves by their own efforts. However, in 12:2, God states that He will make “a name” for Abraham. God makes it clear that our salvation and access to God is not achieved by man’s merit, but by God’s act of grace and compassion. However, it also coveys a warning. Those that reject this covenantal promise to Abraham will be cursed. However, those that embrace this covenant promise will experience God’s blessing. Furthermore. this covenant and the blessings that God will give, is not just for Abraham and the Jews, it is a covenant for all humanity, for he affirms, “In you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (12:3).
In these two covenant we find the heart of God and his desire and plan for all humanity, including us today. God is a gracious God who offers salvation to sinful humanity. We are confronted with a choice: either attempt to gain notoriety and salvation apart from God’s plan, which brings judgment, or surrender and trust in the God who brings salvation by His grace. Are we trying to make a name for ourselves based upon our own efforts and plans, or are we surrendering to God’s redemptive plan for us revealed in His covenantal promises fulfilled in Christ? Are we trying to make a name for ourselves or allowing God to make a name for us? Whose agenda for life are we seeking to follow, ours or God’s?
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
2024
January
The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and FearBetrayal, Bravado, and FearThe Unlikely Witnesses of Jesus' DietyRemorse, Repentance and ForgivenessThe Power of the Crowd and the Power of FaithThe Irony of the CrucifixionThe Cost of SinThe Cure for SinThe Reality of the ResurrectionLiving a Life of SignificanceThe Attitude of a SlaveThe Basis for Confident LivingThe Basis for Confident Living
February
The Prayer God AnswersWhen Adversity Becomes a TriumphFinding Joy in the Ministry of OthersPursuing the InsignificantPerspective in SufferingThe Sacrifice of SelfIf God can do it, then why can't we.The "Kenosis" of Christ"THE NAME"Divine Initiative and Human ResponsibilityThe Age of ComplaintReorienting our Focus Pt 1
March
Reorienting Our Focus Pt 2The Basis of SalvationDetermining ValueSetting the Right Goal in LifeFollowing the Right PeopleRecognizing our CitizenshipResponding to ConflictThe Keys to PeaceLearning to Think RightlyThe Secret of ContentmentThe Blessing of GivingA Life without SignificanceThe Futility of LifeThe Endless PursuitThe Futility of PleasureThe Limits of WisdomEvaluating Our WorkFinding Joy in LifeThe Doctrine of Right Time
April
Categories
no categories
No Comments