When Human Plans Disregard God's Purpose

Some 4,000 years ago, the builders of the Tower of Babel planned to restrict the spread of the human race.  "Come on!" they  said, "Let us build ourselves  a city and also a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a celebrated name for ourselves, for fear we may be scattered over all the surface of the earth." -Genesis 11:4. 

However, God's purpose for the earth was quite different. He had commanded Noah and his sons: "Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth." (Genesis 9:1) How did God deal with the goals of the rebellious people of Babel?  He confused their language so that they could not communicate with one another.  The result?  "Accordingly Jehovah scattered them from over all the surface of the earth."  (Genesis 11:5-8) Babel's builders were forced to learn a valuable lesson. When human plans and God's purpose differ, "the counsel of Jehovah is what will stand." (Proverbs 19:21) Do you allow such lessons from the past to influence your life? 

Next time: A Rich Man's Folly

From the Watchtower magazine, 2008