Repeating Mistakes
Once again today, we read four chapters of Genesis (11-14). Quickly, we read how foolish men are. After leaving Eden, the people begin to multiply and decide they want to repeat the sin that caused Satan to be cast out of heaven. In Isaiah 14:12-14, Satan’s claim to make his head higher than God’s led to his expulsion. Now, here is another attempt by men to make a tower so high it would be above God.
This time, a confusion of languages scatters men across the globe.
Then we see a half dozen generations, long though they be, pass and we have kings banding together to increase their strength and the result is Sodom and Gomorrah being places of such great sin they would become historical references for places deserving God’s wrath.
If Adam and Eve had been satisfied with paradise, they could have lived with God in His glorious presence, walking with Him in the garden. Peaceful and perfect, the garden was a haven of life and prosperity. They could have spent eternity there with Him.
Never satisfied
But they wanted more. They wanted to be like God. Therefore, their punishment followed. Then men wanted to be higher than God, so He scatters and confuses their language. Their ambition to be more powerful pushed them to form an unlikely alliance. Today we want to make ourselves gods again. We create our own version of who God is and worship that image we have construed. God did not let Adam go unpunished. He did not allow the people in Babel to escape unscathed and He destroyed Sodom.
From the time of Abram to the present day, historical records document many great and powerful empires that attempted to dominate their people. Every time, the result has been the same.
Yet, here we are again. Believing that the god we made up will not punish us for repeating the same mistakes they had. Arrogance leads to the idolatry of self, the religion of me, and to destroying all.
Melchizedek
Melchizedek comes along, priest of the God Most High, and reminds them it is God that has provided everything. Abram pays tribute and God performs a miracle, fulfilling His promise to make him a powerful nation. This 99-year-old man and his 90-year-old barren wife had given up on the promise of a child, but with God, all things are possible.
We see along how Abram lies about Sarai being his sister – but God still keeps His promise. God’s character does not depend on us keeping His commandments or doing our part. He keeps His word because His word is true.
Application
We are to emulate Jesus, and let our character reflect the God who dwells in us. Loving others the way He loves us. Forgiving them as He forgave us. Showing His character even when others betray us, the way we betray Him.
Just like the people in the days of Abram, we get to choose whom we will serve. Will it be the god of our own creation? I can assure you of disappointment because that idol has no power. He came from our own imagination and can do nothing.
God deserves our complete devotion.
