Making a Name
This group of Christians believe it is extremely important that we teach the Word of God to our kids.
Season 5, Episode 10 · Making A Name
Play the original Excel Still More episode here without leaving the article.
The story behind the idea
Anyway, necessary disclaimer, this is not an ad for the magazine Christianity Today. It has articles from people of all different theologies related to Christ, and I just kind of find the variety interesting. In the March edition that just showed up at the house, there is an article on the Tower of Babel that begins on page 73, just in case you have the magazine or have access to it. It was written by a man that I am absolutely certain knows more about Old Testament history and culture than I do.
What stands out
To me, the first point about pride has a lot of merit, I think, but this one maybe a little less so. I mean, eventually, again, if God just waits them out, there's so many of them that they end up scattering anyway. If you and your family wanted to stay in one place, and you hadn't been told explicitly by God, like Abraham was to leave, I'm not so sure that would be categorized as direct disobedience. To be clear, I'm not saying that pride and disobedience aren't a problem here.
Why it matters
He front loads all of these blessings and he expects them to be faithful to him out of gratitude. Note it is not a transactional relationship where God says, You give me what I want, and then I'll give you what you need. We could never give God enough, and it would never be balanced.
A faithful way forward
We, as a group, as a church, would be making the same mistake as those who built the Tower of Babel. We need to meet God on His terms, His way, and be thankful that He has already established all of that by His wisdom and not ours.
Put it into practice
The way that they lived and loved him and served him represented the glory of God's name to everybody who lived on this earth. He did not respond well when they started seeking their own glorification and not his. This is actually pretty tough, so I'll use an extra minute or two here talking about it.
Take the idea with you.
- 01What idea from this study most needs my attention right now?
- 02Where does this challenge the way I am currently thinking or living?
- 03What is one faithful step I can take this week?
Prefer listening?
The original episode player is available near the top of this article, so you can listen without leaving the page.