Genesis 12:1-3

The Tower Of Babel

Reading about Abraham immediately after the Tower of Babel puts humanity’s relationship with God front and center. The people at Babel wanted to make a name for themselves. They were arrogant and conceited; they wanted their names to live on forever. We do not know any of the names of those who built that tower. 

Then, there’s Abraham. Abraham is living his life without the expectation of being famous or important. From Abraham’s humility, God speaks to him and makes several promises to Abraham, including, “I will make your name great.” The people at Babel wanted to make their names great, and God scattered them. Abraham had no thoughts of being great, and God chose him to be great. 

What does this mean for you and me? If we are trying to make ourselves great, we will not get very far. If we give up control of our lives to God and let him make us great, then we will be successful and great because God has made us so. There are no self-made Christians. You will not be righteous on your own. To be great means that you must be humble. To be great means that you let God make you great. When you put God in charge of your life, then you will be blessed.