We’re continuing our “Kingdom Rebellion” series. This week, we will conclude the series by looking at the events surrounding the “Tower of Babel” and also taking a quick look at covenants as we prepare for the next series, “Kingdom Covenant.”
Genesis 11:1-4 (NIV)
1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 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 and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
The people were pretty excited about their brick technology. Let us make a name for ourselves and build a tower with its tops in the heavens. This is a fascinating turn on the cosmic rebellion we saw in Genesis 6 when the sons of God invade the earthly realm and produce the Nephilim with beautiful human women. This time, the sons of Adam are invading the heavens.
Genesis 11:5-9 (NIV)
5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. 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.” 8 So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel–because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
Something fascinating is happening, and we will dig deeper into it at Keys Vineyard Church this weekend. We will also be taking a quick look at covenants.
A covenant represents a bond between two entities that commit to each other through binding promises and collaborative efforts toward a shared objective. It is often marked by vows, symbols, and rituals. Unlike contracts, covenants are based on a personal and relational foundation.
Noahic Covenant: Genesis 9:12-17
God forms an unconditional bond with Noah and all living beings, vowing not to flood the earth again despite human corruption. Instead, God commits to preserving the world as part of his broader plan to save humanity and creation, as foretold in Genesis 3:15. This plan includes human participation in populating and stewarding the earth, with the rainbow serving as a lasting symbol of this promise.
Abrahamic Covenant: Genesis 12:1-3
God established a covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants, land in Canaan, and that through his lineage, all nations on earth will be blessed.
Mosaic Covenant: Exodus 31:12-18
Following the Exodus at Mount Sinai, God reiterates the promises made to Abraham. In acting on behalf of Israel, Moses engages with God to understand the covenant, which includes making Israel a kingdom of priests and a holy nation to disseminate God’s glory globally. Adherence to God’s laws promises blessings, while disobedience brings curses, with observance of the Sabbath as a critical aspect of their dedication to Yahweh.
Davidic Covenant: 2 Samuel 7
Entering Canaan leads the people to demand a king, straying from their covenantal path. After Saul’s failure, God chooses David and promises that his lineage will produce a kingdom that will last forever, symbolizing hope for a future where God’s presence is fully amongst his people.
New Covenant: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 26:26-29
Israel’s failure to adhere to God’s commands leads to exile, but the prophets foretell a new covenant. This covenant promises the fulfillment of God’s promises, a redefined relationship with his people, forgiveness of sins, and the rise of a faithful king from David’s line to repair the breaches of the past.
This narrative of covenants showcases a divine strategy, from preserving the world through Noah, initiating redemption with Abraham, forming a nation through Moses, and promising a lasting kingdom through David to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. Each covenant is a step towards the more apparent revelation of God’s salvation plan, culminating in Jesus as the key to redemption.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
