A Blessing in Disguise

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Psalm 33:11

After the flood, God commanded Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply; spread out over the earth and multiply on it (Genesis 9:7). In Genesis 10, the genealogy of Noah and his sons confirms they were successful in the job of multiplying. 

By Genesis 11, it appears Noah’s descendants had forgotten--or simply disregarded--the rest of the plan. They set out traveling east but stopped in a plain of the Shinar area. Was the land rich? Was a river nearby? Were they tired of moving? 

Whatever the reason, the people decided to settle and build a city. Come, let us build a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the earth (Genesis 11:4).

Hadn’t God told them to scatter throughout the earth? The people’s plans were in direct opposition to God’s plans. Of course, God saw what they were doing. And he had an idea.

At this time, all the people on earth spoke the same language. God merely caused them to speak different languages, so they were unable to understand each other. The people’s plans fell flat. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth (Genesis 11:9). God’s plan was in motion again.

Often God has to shake us up to get us moving. We may opt for the comfortable and familiar rather than risk the unknown. We might become complacent in our tasks, just going through the motions. We could even be doing good things, but what if God wants to do something great--something we can’t even dream for ourselves? 

A job loss or move across the state may be a blessing in the end. Whatever confusing and disorienting circumstance we experience, God will use it to grow us.

Lord, thank you for keeping us from stagnation by continually bringing us into new adventures.

Terri