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NASB | Genesis 11:7 "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another's speech." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 11:7 "Come, let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) go down and there confuse and mix up their language, so that they will not understand one another's speech." |
Bible Question:
In Genesis 11 regarding the tower of Babel, Who was "us" and why was God fearfull of man becoming too knowledgeable? - NIV - Gen. 11 –( “6 The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."”) |
Bible Answer: Hi Marty J, I think you are asking two very important questions! I believe with 'US' God refers to Himself as the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. 'US' from God's mouth first appears in the Bible at the creation of men, Genesis 1:26 - men were created in THEIR own likeness, having dominion over all things on earth. The second time it appears is in Genesis 3:22, when He states that men 'have become like one of US, knowing the difference between good and evil.' The third time is the verse you are referring to. Notice that the usage is always connected to 'godly knowledge'; first it was given to men, then it was abused, and finally some of it was taken away. As for your second question, I do not think God was 'fearful' as such, He simply confused their language because of their pride (look at the people's reason for building - verse 4). God showed them that He was yet more powerful! Genesis 3:22 states that people were given the possibility of knowing all things ('have become like one of US'), so if God had not prevented it, we would have been able to know too much by co-operating easily with each other. (By 'too much' I mean 'enough to forget God' - notice the wording, 'nothing they PLAN TO DO', not 'nothing' in general; i.e. people would have known enough to satisfy themselves to the point where they feel no need for God.) It was actually good for us, people, that we weren't allowed to know everything at once, because this way we still have a chance of seeking God, if anything, for knowledge! (Proverbs 2:5-6: Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.) Just look at what is happening today.. The more we are able to communicate with each other, the more we know, and the more we know, the more proud we become of things we never created, omitting the importance of our Creator! But the Bible tells that God had a different plan for us: He would first humiliate us for our sin and pride (including confusing our language and scattering us all over the globe), but then He would have mercy and put right all the things we put wrong, 'for He longs to be gracious to us' (Isaiah 30:18), which He did in Jesus. And then we will be able to have 'safe' knowledge again: He would gather the ones He once scattered (Jeremiah 31:10), and He would enable us again to understand each other (as in Acts 2). But then we would use our language to glorify Him rather than to blaspheme. That is when Jesus' prayer, that eventually we may all be one with THEM, even as THEY are one (John 17:11, 21-23), will be fulfilled. I actually think we should thank God that He stopped us at Babel, for only this way are we able to receive His kingdom as children, and not with eyes waxed with knowledge (Matthew 13:14-16)! ...for He hides His truth from the wise and learned, and reveals it to babes. (Matthew 11:25) |