19th August 2025

The Babel Project

Unless the Lord builds the house,

they labour in vain who build it . . .

Psalm 127:1

Today's Bible Reading: Genesis 11:1-9.

Two workmen were asked what they were building together. One said he was building a garage. The other replied that he was building a cathedral. A day later, there was only one man laying bricks. When asked where the second was, the first replied, “Oh, he was dismissed. He insisted on building a cathedral instead of a garage.”

Something similar happened on the ancient worksite of Babel. The Babylonians wanted to make a name for themselves by building a mighty city and a tower “with its top in the heavens” (Gen 11:4). But God did not want them working on a grand, self-centred plan based on the idea that they could rise to the heights of God and solve all of their own problems. Thus, God disrupted the work by confusing the language, so that they no longer spoke with one language and could no longer understand one another, and scattered the people “over all the earth” (v 8-9).

God wanted people to see Him as the solution to their problems, and He revealed His plan for them to Abraham (12:1-3). Through the faith of Abraham and his descendants, He would show the world how to look for a city “whose architect and builder is God” (Heb 11:8-10).

Our faith does not rise out of our own dreams and solutions. The foundation of faith is in God alone and what He can do in and through us.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, forgive me for focusing on my own schemes, projects and dreams. Help me to look to You for guidance in all that I do. In the Saviour's name I pray. Amen.