THE TOWER OF BABEL PART IV WHY DID THE TOWER OF BABEL HAPPEN

Hello my friends! I am still in the beautiful state of Ohio. Soon I will be traveling back to my home state of Arizona. It is so nice to visit my sister and now that the kids have grown and dispersed to various areas, we will have one more big family reunion before I leave.

So what exactly happened at the tower  of Babel? Why was it built and what happened to it in the end?

God gives us a brief understanding of this unique historical event in the bible. Genesis 11: 1 tells us “And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.” So, at first, all of Noah’s descendents (which would be all people inhabiting the earth at that time), were of “one lip” and “one words”, having the same vocabulary and the same grammar.

These people found a plain in the land of Shinar (today a part of Iraq), and settled there. A little over one hundred years after the Noachian flood they decided amongst themselves to build a city and a tower out of burnt brick and mortar (Genesis 11: 2-4). And there, a very ambitious man, Nimrod, took charge of building a tower “whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 4).

            To understand why this was such a terrible thing, we have to back up and read scripture from Genesis 9:1. God gave a commandment to Noah’s descendants to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth”. However, these people did not want to do that, instead they became permanent residents of that area and did not seem to have any intentions to spread out. “Early Jewish writers and Christian commentators suggested that the tower was the first center of false religion in the post-Flood world. (Revelation 17:5 also indicates that Babel was the mother of world religions.) One recent suggestion is that, like ziggurats built in later cities of the region, the tower was a symbolic bridge between heaven and earth, a place where the [false] gods could come down to earth or rest.”[i]

The statement “. . . and let us make a name for ourselves.” (Genesis 11: 4) shows just how arrogant the people at Babel were. “They sought a name for themselves rather than to honor the name of their Creator, who is above all and whose name is worthy of all praise.  This rebellion, which took place a century or two after Noah’s Flood, was no surprise to God. While promising not to send another Flood, God told Noah that human sinfulness was still a problem: ‘The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth’ (Genesis 8:21).”[ii]

Because of man’s sinful nature, the people of Babel disobeyed God, wanted to remain in one spot, and decided to build a tower “whose top may reach unto heaven”.  So what happened? The bible tells us in Genesis 11:5-9, that God basically took matters into His own hands. The Lord did not want these people to live in such a manner as “nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” Therefore He “confounded their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” The end result? “The Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of all the earth.”

            So we know the people dispersed from that region; “after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.” (Genesis 10: 31), and have become the language groups and cultures we have around the world today.
            But what of the tower itself? The bible mentions nothing about that. Other historical records relate that when God confused the languages, the tower toppled as well. It may well have happened then, or it could have happened later. What we do know, however, is that the tower did topple for it was noted by Alexander the Great during his exploits.

           Linguists can trace the languages to only a few main tongues. This fits nicely with what the bible tells us, yet again confirming the truth of scripture. Man’s rebellion came full circle, the people made a name for their city, but not necessarily one they liked. From the word “confusion”, their city’s became known as Babel.

“Nothing escapes God’s attention. No individual sin, no sin of a nation. That is the lesson of Babel.”[iii]

Until next time, God Bless and take care!

Willow

PS (at one hour after sunset) – look tonight at the night sky…the bright star you see above the first quarter moon this evening is not a star but mars.  On May 31^st, the moon, the star Spica, and Saturn will form an upward line. How straight the line is will depend on when and where you're viewing from. Happy star gazing!

Reference:

 http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v3/n2/world-in-revolt

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[i] David S. DeWitt, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 22:1, p. 19

[ii]  ^{and   iii} http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v3/n2/world-in-revolt

THE TOWER OF BABEL PART III WHAT DID IT LOOK LIKE AND HOW WAS IT BUILT?

            Hello my fellow believers and non-believers! How are you this beautiful Monday? I am at my sister’s house in the gorgeous state of Ohio. She lives in the country and has a big pond that they use for their water resources. I remember when they had the pond built. Huge backhoes and front end loaders excavated this half acre pond. Thirty years later it is lined with large trees and is home to three flocks of Canadian geese. I loved coming to visit!

            Back in the days of Babel, however, there was no big machinery to help build the tower. So then, how was the tower of Babel built? And what did it look like?

            The bible does not give us specifics on how the tower of Babel was built, but interestingly enough, the Hebrew word used in reference to the Tower of Babel is migdal. The definition of migdal is; “a tower; by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers”. In other words, migdal literally means tower, but figuratively represents a flowerbed in the shape of a pyramid. Thus biblically, the shape of the tower would be pyramidal.”[i]

It has long been thought by experts that the Tower of Babel was a ziggurat. And ziggurats have long been thought to be the precursor, so to speak, of the great pyramids of Egypt. Basically a ziggurat is stair-step pyramid (see figure one).

There is other evidence that leads the experts to believe the Tower of Babel was a ziggurat. After the language split commencing from the building of the tower, other similar structures were built in different areas. From palaces in China to mound builders and ziggurats in the Americas to the pyramids in Egypt, this style of construciton was taken along with the various human cultures as they dispersed around the world. Mounds, ziggurats and pyramids are all classified slightly different, but then the knowledge taken with the different language groups would differ as well, nicely explaining the existence of these structures around the world. Ziggurats around the ancient middle east have names such as; "’Temple of the Foundation of Heaven and Earth’, ‘Temple that Links Heaven and Earth’, ‘Temple of the Exalted Mountain’, ‘Temple of Exalted Splendor’, and ‘Temple of the Stairway to Pure Heaven’.”[ii]  It is a confirmation of God’s word.

             So now that we know the basic shape of the Tower of Babel, how was it built? “Where did these early humans learn to build a city and tower? Long before Noah’s Flood, Cain was a city-builder, and his descendant Tubal-cain was gifted in brass and iron (Genesis 4:17–22). It is clear from the genealogies in Genesis that Noah lived among these people for six hundred years before the Flood came, acquiring their technology and possibly their books. His sons had plenty of time to develop their construction skills, too, while building the Ark.”[iii] It is obvious from the archeological records that these skills were then passed down from generation to generation.

            The bible also tells us in Genesis 11:3 “And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter”.  “… Ziggurats were built with sun dried bricks, burnt bricks and bitumen mortar. These Ziggurats may not be the "Tower of Babel" but are most likely replicas of an older original.”[iv] In ancient times (and even today in certain places) this asphalt, tar, bitumen, pitch, and/or chamar can be found in pools or on the surface of certain waters. This natural resource seeps up through formations below and gathers on the surface. There it would be collected or even mined by the people of ancient times for use and for export.

            It is important to remember the people that lived one hundred and six years after the flood were pretty sophisticated and not crude cave men or nomads. They probably had slave labor and prisoners as well as other able bodied men to work on the tower. Nevertheless, it was a great feat for man and God recognized it, but not as a good thing. So why did man build such a grand endeavor…find out next time! It might not be what you think!
             In my upcoming book some of these facts are woven into the story...don't miss it! I'll let you know when it comes out.

Until next week, take care and God Bless!

Willow

References:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v3/n2/world-in-revolt

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[i] http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v3/n2/world-in-revolt

[ii] http://ancient-hebrew.org/36_babel.html

[iii] http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v3/n2/world-in-revolt

[iv] http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v3/n2/world-in-revolt

THE TOWER OF BABEL PART II WHEN DID IT HAPPEN?

            Good morning from sunny Missouri! I am attending my son’s graduation (he is getting his MA!) at Missouri State University. It is a monumental event for our family and a date to remember. So…does anyone remember or know when the tower of Babel was erected?

            Yes! Now that we have established (please read last week’s blog for information pertaining to historical documents of the event) that construction of such a huge building in ancient times really did occur, the next question is when?

            The bible records this historical event taking place during the time of Peleg. “To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan” (Genesis 10:25). The phrase ‘in his days the earth was divided’ gives us a hint that something monumental happened at that time.

“Renowned chronologist Archbishop James Ussher placed the time of Babel at 106 years after the Flood, when Peleg was born.” Thus this event would have occurred at 2242 B.C.. And though the date may not be exact, we know the approximate range, for Peleg was born in the fourth generation after the Flood.¹

Some scientists try to contend that ‘the earth was divided’ pertains to the shifting of the contents. However, as discussed in earlier blogs, we know that continental drift occurred during the Noachian flood and by the end of the deluge were settled into place. Had another splitting of the continents occurred during the days of Peleg, it would have triggered another global flood; something that is not present in either historical documents nor in the physical evidence of geological layers, fossils, etc.

In many cultures the event of the tower of Babel and the splitting of languages are recorded either orally or written, all pertaining to long ago:

In the “ancient near east, family and national historical accounts were meticulously and accurately passed down from generation to generation orally. The Genesis account identifies the land of ‘Shinar’ as the location of the Tower of Babel. This is the land of ‘Sumer’ where many ancient documents of the Sumerians have been discovered. Within these documents are stories paralleling many of the Genesis accounts including creation, Noah and the flood as well as the confounding of the languages.”2

	And listen to this legend form central America. “And as men were thereafter multiplying they constructed a very high and strong Zacualli, which means “a very high tower” in order to protect themselves when again the second world should be destroyed. At the crucial moment their languages were changed, and as they did not understand one another, they went into different parts of the world.”3

Here is another on from Polynesia. “But the god in anger chased the builders away, broke down the building, and changed their language, so that they spoke divers tongues.”4

            Ok…I got a little side tracked from the date and gave you some more information on the reality of the construction. The point is, this incident really occurred in history shortly after the great global flood, and it was a major changing event in man’s history.

            Some have questioned how could there be enough people to build such a big structure when only eight people were on board the ark. But if you do the math…let’s just say a new generation begat more sons and daughters every year starting twenty years after the flood…it wouldn’t take too long (certainly within a hundred years) to have over a million people living on earth.

            So, at 106 years after the flood as Archbishop James Ussher calculates, there would have been more than enough humans to take on the massive undertaking of building a tower to the heavens.

            How fascinating our true human history is…

Until next time, God Bless and take care!

Willow

References:

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1 http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab2/was-babel-dispersion-real-event

² http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/36_babel.html

³ Don Fernando de Alvara Ixtlilxochitl, Obras Historicas Mexico, 1891, Vol. I, p. 12.)

⁴ R. W. Williamson, Religious and Cosmic Beliefs of Central Polynesia Cambridge, 1933,       vol. I, p. 94.)

THE TOWER OF BABEL PART I IS IT REAL?

 

            Hello, my faithful readers! You have my greatest apologies for neglecting to write last week. Two major things happened in my life and to be honest…I plain forgot (proving that I am human). First and most drastic…my computer crashed! A tragedy for any author. Fortunately, I did have the most important accomplishment – a novel I am writing – backed up. And that is the second very major feat that occurred last week. I finished (at least the first writing) of the last chapter and thus my book! For those of you who don’t know, I have been working for the last year on a Christian historical fiction novel. Hopefully it will be out in print in a few months. I will keep you posted!

            So, we are starting a new series – the Tower of Babel. We will delve into all the mysteries surrounding it and answer any questions you may have. Let’s get started...

            The first question is Was there really a tower of Babel, and if so, why was it built?

            The answer is an undeniable yes there was an actual, very large building constructed in ancient times in the city called Babel! How can I be so sure? First we have the authority of scripture (Genesis 11:3-4) “³ Then they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. ⁴ And they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.’”

            In addition, other historical documents have recorded the event of the Tower of Babel. For example, Alexander the Great attempted to rebuild the tower after he found it in ruins. “Some 10,000 workers cleared away the rubble but with Alexander's death in 322 B.C., the project stopped.”[1]
            Yet another even earlier description came from Herodotus, the Greek historian. He traveled to Babylon about 460 B.C. and wrote this eyewitness account: "In the midst of the temple a solid tower was constructed, one stadium (about 200 yards) in length and one stadium in width. Upon this tower stood another, and again upon this, another, and so on, making eight towers in all, one upon another. All eight towers can be climbed by means of a spiral staircase, which runs around the outside.”²  this is the description of a ziggurat, the earliest form of the great pyramids. Ziggurats are found throughout the world…more on that in another blog!
            So now that we have established a huge tower had actually been constructed in the city of Babel, why was it built?
            Some authorities believe the people of that time were afraid another global flood would destroy the land and therefore built it for security. However, God’s covenant said the earth would not again be destroyed by water. And to give a little credence to the intelligence of the people of that time, they would have erected a tower serving that purpose on top of the highest nearby mountain (the city of Babel in located on the plain of Shinar between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, on low flat lands). In addition, only a few humans could have gathered at the very top…so this more than likely was not the reason for the construction.

            No, the bible records was really happened; “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:4). This is a direct rebellion against God’s instructions to the people in Genesis 9:1 “So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.’” In order for eight people to fill the earth, their decedents would have to depart from the place of their parents.

            “It is possible that the tower was built under the guise that it was a place for sacrifice unto God. This would have prevented people from going too far since they would have to come back to offer sacrifices at Babel.”[2] The bible records Nimrod, the first King, was mighty among men. Other historical records note he was more like a tyrant, and worshipped demons. It would be reasonable to think he wanted to rule the entire known world at that time, preventing by any means, his subjects to leave and fill the earth.

            But once again, God demonstrated his power forcing his earlier command to come to pass. For it was at the tower of Babel that the languages became scrambled. And when men could not understand each other, they moved away with other like speaking families. In the end, God accomplished His will.

            This is true about everything God does. If only we could bring into our actions the notion, obedience is better than sacrifice, how much better off we would be!

Again, my deepest apologies for missing last week. I hope you enjoy this series…

Until next time,

God Bless and take care,

Willow

Reference:

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[1] http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/196701/the.tower.of.babel.htm

[2] http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab2/was-babel-dispersion-real-event; The New Answers Book 2, chapter 28, Was the Dispersion at Babel a Real Event?  by Bodie Hodge August 19, 2010. Answers In Genesis.

NOAH’S ARK PART V MARINE ANIMALS

Good morning world! The leaves are all coming out on the trees, turning spring into early summer. It makes me want to take a trip to the beach!

Speaking of beaches…Did Noah have marine animals on the ark too?

The answer is no! Genesis 7:14-15 and 21-23 states only birds and land-dwelling, air-breathing (through nostrils) animals were on the ark. Well then Willow, you may be asking, how did the ocean animals survive a deluge of fresh water, and contrarily how did the fresh water critters survive when the seas overflowed their boundaries.

It is true, as the water covered the earth, fresh and salt waters would have mixed into a diluted solution of both. However, there are several things to take into consideration:

First, it is not known exactly how salty pre-flood oceans were. We do know, though, from scripture that there was a  “breaking up of the fountains of the great deep”. We can also be confident the flood was associated with immense plate tectonic movements that would result in massive volcanic activity. Underwater volcanoes or fissures would create enormous amounts of hot/boiling water/steam, which in turn would dissolve minerals adding salts to the waters.

Second, erosion as the water receded over the newly formed landmasses would also have carried minerals, including salt, into the water.

So, with this information in mind, we can draw the logical conclusion that pre-flood oceans were not as salty as our current oceans are. So why can’t fish go from fresh to salt water and visa versa today? Well, who says they can’t? All fish have a certain amount of salt in their bodies (just like us). Fresh water fish tend to absorb water through their cell walls (osmosis) because they have more salt in their bodies than the surrounding water. Saltwater fish, on the other hand, tend to lose water from their bodies for exactly the opposite reason.

It would be just like God to have placed in the genes of marine and fresh water creatures alike the ability to adapt to different conditions. We actually see examples of this in many of today’s organisms.

For example, there are creatures such as starfish and barnacles as well as other esuarine tidepool species that survive changes in salinity on a daily basis.

There are many species of fish that migrate between salt and fresh waters, such as salmon, striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon and eels. This demonstrates the capacity of many extant species of today to adjust to both salt and fresh water. “There is also evidence of post-flood specialization within a kind (a biblical biological classification) of fish. For example, the Atlantic sturgeon is a migratory salt/freshwater species but the Siberian sturgeon (a different species of the same kind) lives only in fresh water.”

In addition, a discovery in Scotland occurred when wild fresh water trout were breed with farmed saltwater salmon producing viable young. This implies the differences between freshwater and saltwater species may be slight indeed.

As a matter of fact, there are many families - a biological classification - of fish that include marine and freshwater species. The following is a partial list:

            Toad fish          garpike       bowfin    sturgeon 

            catfish             flatfish      salmon/trout/pike

            Clingfish         stickleback    scorpionfish    

            Herring/anchovy  

And, get this, more families of extant fish contain representatives of both fresh and saltwater fish than not! So what does all of this mean? “This suggests that the ability to tolerate large changes in salinity was present in most fish at the time of the flood. Specialization, through natural selection, may have resulted in the loss of this ability in many species since then…”

And what of those species that haven’t lost the ability to switch between waters of different salinity? Two different things are known. One, freshwater species expel excess water with a low salt concentration in their urine. Marine species expel excess salt with a high salt concentration in their urine. And two, the amount of urea (a chemical compound), an animal retains plays a role in salinity tolerance. For example, freshwater sharks have low concentrations of urea in their blood (to avoid accumulating water), while saltwater sharks have high concentrations of urea in their blood (to retain water).

Even more interesting, is many public aquariums use the ability of fish to adapt to their environment by changing the salinity in an aquarium slowly. Thus they can exhibit fresh water and marine species together. The fascinating point is that many species “have the capacity to adapt to both fresh and salt water within their own lifetimes.”

Ok, that explains fish, but what about dolphins, whales, plesiosaurs and the like? Actually, they and those like them would have had an easier time adapting in one regard - they are not dependent on getting their oxygen from clean water. During the deluge and breaking forth of the fountain of the deep, the waters would have been turbulent, and the geological record tells us, was full of sediment. This would not have affected the aquatic air-breathing animals. As far as the salinity, their presence today suggests similar adaptability as the fish kinds.

Many marine animals would have perished in the Noachian flood. “The fossil record testifies to the massive destruction of marine life, with marine creatures accounting for ninety five percent of the fossil record.”

But those that did survive did so because God gave them the means from the very beginning; during creation.  What a wise Creator we have!

Until next week, God bless and take care-

Willow

Reference:

Ham, ken, et. al., The Revised & Expanded Answers Book, 3/2000, Masterbooks, Inc., pp. 187-189