Babel vs God

The Tower of Babel

I’m not entirely sure how or when exactly this story happened but it’s always intrigued me. The previous verse says that the people were spread all over the earth but this story might have happened before this.

Genesis 11:1–9 (ESV)

The Tower of Babel

11 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

Notice the actions of the people do not appear wrong at first. There actions are wrong because they are trying to make exalt themselves. They do this by inviting others to join them, saying, “come, come”. These people where then separated by God and confused in there search for meaning in self exaltation.

This is the same way the world today operates. At first glance the main goal that people have in life( being to make there lives significant) doesn’t really seem like a bad thing. In fact it’s very easy to witness with that as the main sales pitch.”Accept Jesus and he’ll make your life significant”. I think it’s actually very easy to think that contentment and significance in life is the main goal. This should not be the case!

The story of Babylon (Babel) continues throughout the Bible. It represents the lies and systems of the world we live in. The Bible then tells the story of its destruction close to the end

Revelation 17:4–6 (ESV)

4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. 5 And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” 6 And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.

When I saw her, I marveled greatly.

Babylon continues to invite people to join her in her Pride and continues to cause confusion and lies. God will once again destroy the city of Babylon.

———- The New City

At Babel, men said, “Let us!” but to Abraham, God said, “I will.” At Babel, men wanted to make a name for themselves; but it was God who made Abraham’s name great.

Warren W. Wiersbe

The Tower of Babel represents human pride, leading to confusion and scattering (Gen. 11:9). The Abrahamic covenant represents God’s sovereign, providential initiative, leading to the ultimate gathering and blessing of all nations (Rev. 7:9–10)

Timothy C. Tennent

In contrast the story of the City promised to Abraham in the next chapter, Jerusalem then later becomes the place of Truth and clarity. Acts 2:5–6 (ESV)

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

How does this change happen from confusion to truth?

John 8:32 (ESV)

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

“What is Truth?” -Pilate

John 14:5–6 (ESV)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

How do we the access this truth?

Psalm 119:160 (ESV)

160  The sum of your word is truth,

and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

John 16:12–13 (ESV)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Jesus is the Truth, and His Spirit is to guide us in that truth. We also have God’s word which is another name for Jesus. John 1:14 (ESV)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The story of the Tower of Babel really does show the importance and power of words and invitation. The Bible promises us that God’s word (Jesus) won’t fail. Isaiah 55:10–11 (ESV)

10  “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

and do not return there but water the earth,

making it bring forth and sprout,

giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

11  so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Revelation 19:11–15 (ESV)

The Rider on a White Horse

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

The sword coming from His mouth represents the power of His words. These verses Tell about how He judges Babylon, but what about Jerusalem? Revelation 21:2–4 (ESV)

2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 22:17 (ESV)

17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

This verse can be taken 2 different ways, asking Jesus to come, and inviting others to come and drink. Notice the ones saying “Come” this time. It’s the Spirit inviting/commanding people and the Church as the bride of Christ. This is the purpose of life to “come” to Him as the ones who hear, and to be a part of His Word in Christ being fulfilled in the world by repeating His invitation (come).