The tower was planned by very smart men. They wanted to be great, like God is great. So they planned to build a tower to reach above the clouds and up into the heavens. If they were successful with their tower, they would make a great name for themselves and always be remembered.
Now what could they use to build their tower? The answer was bricks, of course, hand-made bricks. They would carefully cement them together with heavy tar that hardens in air. It was heavy work, but they carefully followed the designed plans. Slowly the tower grew. They didn’t have any machinery to help, just brains and lots of muscles.
Would God be pleased with their tower? They never thought about that. Do you think about that when you make a plan? Is God pleased with your choice? Maybe you think it doesn’t matter, but it always matters with Him, because God loves you. He doesn’t want you to change the plans He has already made for you, especially if you belong to Him as one of His children. It’s just like your parents not wanting you to make big plans without their approval. God wants what’s best for you, and your parents want what’s best for you.
God came and looked at the tower builders’ hard work, and He did not approve of their plan. In His wisdom, He decided to stop them. He could have struck them all dead, but no. God loved each one of them too much to do that. Instead, in their brains He confused the language they spoke. They had all talked in the same language since they all lived in one part of the world, so God changed their brains into many languages. Families understood each other, but workers didn’t understand each other. One worker said, “Put the bricks here,” and another worker said, “Je ne vous comprends pas.”
It was no use trying to build the tower anymore. The tower was never finished, because they could not understand each other. This was the beginning of the many different languages in the world. Have you ever wondered how they all started? Now you know the answer—God started them.
Would the people have been happier if God had left them alone and let them build the tower? No. God knew their hearts. When He changes our plans, it is always for our good, because He loves and cares for each one of us. Romans 8:2828And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) tells us: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”
If you are reading this true story, don’t try to make your own plans. Kneel down and ask God for His perfect plan. He is the same God who loves the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son for each one who believes in Him. Will you come to Him today, and will you let Him make your choices? “We ought to obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:2929Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)). Then your life will not end in loss and unhappiness, but in His happy home in heaven.
You may read this story for yourself in Genesis 11.
ML-03/08/2015