Journal Entry by Jared Lawson
S – Scripture: Genesis 11:1-7 (NIV)
Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 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; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”
O - Observation
In this story there is much that reminds me of our current age: everyone is coming together, new technologies are being made and people are racked with fear. What I find interesting about this story is that God doesn’t intervene until we read verse 5. God didn’t seem too concerned about bricks or people coming together, but he seems concerned with who they become when they are together and the purpose of their actions. It seems note-worthy that God intervenes after the people try to make a name for themselves and act out of fear (verse 4).
A - Application
This story has caused me to think about why I am doing what I am doing. God had a problem with people acting out fear and the pride present in the hearts of the people. We see this fear (not wanting to be scattered) and pride (making a name for themselves) in verse 4. Where am I acting out of fear? What am I doing to try and make my name great? This passage also causes me to think thoughtfully about my technology use. I don’t believe God has a problem with the way we advance in the making and building of things. But, advanced technology does lead to advanced opportunities for harm, temptation and fulfilling unfruitful desires.
P - Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for all that we have and who you made us to be. Thank for the technology around us, help us to use it mindfully whilst always remembering it is not the problem in our world, our wickedness is. Help me to keep from advancing my own name, help me to trust you and never act out of scarcity or fear.