The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)
The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)
Scripture’s Tower of Babel account tells of man’s disobedience and God’s intervening mercy to keep people from their own destruction. Not long after God’s covenant to never again destroy the earth by a flood, people chose to follow their own sinful plans rather than obey God’s good commands. Despite God’s mercy, people failed to trust Him and walk according to His ways.
In what ways is the Tower of Babel story marked by disobedience? How do we see God’s kindness in scattering His people and scrambling their language?
After blessing Noah and his sons, God decreed that they were to “be fruitful and multiply; spread out over the earth and multiply on it” (Genesis 9:7). This command seems like it would be easy to obey, but sin’s deception fueled an already present danger: mankind’s pride-fueled ambition.
God commanded His people to spread out over the earth and fill it with His glory. However, they decided to stay put and build a name for themselves. They were supposed to make much of God, but they decided to make a name for themselves instead. In His love, God drew near to them and saved them from their plans for self-glorification.
God’s decision to scatter His people and scramble their languages was part of a plan that emphasized His own glory above the people’s self-glorification efforts. Jesus, the Son of God, became man so that He would one day gather His people unto Himself—those of every tribe, tongue, and nation—not to worship or build a name for themselves, but to worship the only worthy One, King Jesus. His grace unites us, saves us, and brings us back into relationship with Him.
Consider the ways God has redirected the plans you have made for yourself. Are you, in hindsight, able to see His redirection as a means of grace upon your life? Reflect on His goodness in intervening. Pray for your kids, that they would place their trust in the God whose plans are for our good and for His ultimate glory.
Christ Connection: People ignored God’s plan and tried to make a name for themselves, so God confused their language and scattered the people all over the earth. One day, Jesus will gather together all of God’s people—people from every tribe and people who speak all kinds of languages—and they will worship Him. (Revelation 7:9-10)
