BIAY Day 4 - Hubris Thwarted
Genesis 10-11, Psalm 4
Welcome to the Bible in a Year for 2025. Intro to this series and resource links available here, plus here’s how I’m approaching this year.
Scriptures for Today:
Reflection:
The Tower of Babel story dominates these readings, in part because it is so prominent in our imaginations. It is important, so let’s make observations about it, and what else we find.
What name are we exalting? That’s the primary question with the tower, isn’t it? Verse 4 is the linchpin: “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves…” Humanity bears the image of God, yet seeks to build for themselves and erect great works “so that” their name is lifted up.
If there’s a teaching that was etched in the minds of Jesus’ first followers, it would be this: It is humans’ place to be humble and leave the lifting up to the Lord. It was memorable and meaningful enough that both Peter and James, who knew Jesus during His earthly life and who became leaders in the early church, included a version of that teaching in their letters, referencing Proverbs 3:34. One wonders if Solomon had the Tower of Babel story in mind when he wrote this one. Leads me to believe it may have been a favorite of Jesus!
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)
“But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” (James 4:6)
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. '
Big works of God begin in humble circumstances. After the genealogy in 11:10-26, the story focuses on one particular family, a man named Terah who had a son named Abram. This little snippet will launch the rest of the book of Genesis and the great work that God does in order to redeem humanity.
Psalm 4 contains a couple of verses that speak to me today.
“Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.” (Psalm 4:1) - Gives me permission to be frank with God.
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8) - Invites me to rest in the Lord no matter my circumstances.
Questions:
When have you learned the lesson of humility?
When have you seen God do a great work in humble circumstances?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, help me to humble myself daily, trusting you to lift me up. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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Humility doesn't tend to be my strong suit... I need daily reminders to exalt the Lord above all people, places and things.