Changes

* Tower of Babel As technology advances, the temptation to believe that we can solve all our problems via technology grows stronger, and the perceived need to trust God diminishes. The tendency to overstate our independence from God is evident from as early as [[Genesis 11]], when humanity sought to "make a name for ourselves" by building a city and a tower that reached to heaven. * In good times, it becomes easy to fool ourselves into thinking that we achieved technological Utopia by our own cleverness. [[Exodus 20Deuteronomy 6:410]]* - [[Deuteronomy 6:12]] and [[Deuteronomy 8:10]] ff, - [[Deuteronomy 8:1014]] warn against forgetting the Lord in such times of prosperity. Perhaps more than ever, humanity in the 21st century thinks that our technological creations are making a perfect life for us. But in reality, we accept something far inferior to the abundant life that God intended. This is exactly what God said of the Israelites in [[Jeremiah 2:13]] ff-- God offers a spring of living water, but we are content with broken cisterns of our own creation.* As Job tells his friends ([[Job 28]]), our many achievements do not lead to real wisdom. Humanity mines for silver and iron, refines gold and copper, turns dark into light, digs deep for sapphires, tunnels through rocks, and explores the sources of rivers (vv1-11). But do we find wisdom (v12, v13, v20)? It cannot be bought (vv15-19) and it is hidden from the eyes of every living thing (v21). "God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells" (v23). "The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding" (v28). * We might imagine that our money makes us impregnable like a well-built castle ([[Psalm 20Proverbs 18:710]]* - [[Proverbs 18:1011]]) or that chariots will protect us ([[Psalm 20:7]] f* , [[Isaiah 31:1]]* ), but in the end security only comes from trusting God. Israel often found that by trusting God they could overcome enemies who had superior technology: walled cities ([[Deuteronomy 3:4]] - [[Deuteronomy 3:6]]), chariots ([[Jeremiah 2Judges 4:13]]- [[Judges 4:16]]) and giants with swords ([[1 Samuel 17]]). * The Lord has a day planned when all human arrogance -- lofty towers, fortified walls, trading ships, idols or silver and gold -- will be be brought low ([[John 10Isaiah 2:112]] - [[John 10Isaiah 2:1322]] Consider ). Although this is a condemnation of arrogance rather than of technology, how often does humanity show its arrogance by seeking power and control through technology playing ? In the role of thief in this parable. Technology cares nothing for the sheep. People who look for a technological shortcut into paradise will be disappointedend, humans are an insubstantial breath (v22).