Perfect Communication
We see in this passage that all mankind spoke the same language. There was perfect communication. Think about how many times miscommunication and language barriers have caused significant issues and crises. Have you ever heard someone say, “If they want to live here they can learn our language?” I’m sure you have. Why do people get so heated about such a simple topic? Well, our lives are really based on our ability to communicate. When there is a breakdown in communication, it leads to uneasiness and frustration. Look at most marriages that have failed. There can be many things that spark a divorce, but a basic breakdown in communication is typically a big part of the problem (or the thing that prevents a solution). Could you imagine if we never had any trouble communicating with anyone else? Could you imagine how convenient it would be if everyone spoke the same language? We wouldn’t have such a struggle translating the Bible into indigenous people’s languages. Well, as cool and convenient as it would likely be, according to our text, it would also be dangerous. Why? Because we are sinful and we would use to convenience of perfect communication for evil and not for good. How do I know that? Because it’s exactly what happened in this passage. Genesis 11:4 says, “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.’”
Self-fulfilling Prophesy
I’m going to be honest. Of all the times I have ever read this passage of Scripture, I think this is the first time that this really jumped out at me. Looking again in Genesis 11:4, we read that the reason they wanted to build a tower and build a name for themselves was so they would not be dispersed over the face of the whole earth. They did not want to be dispersed so their solution was to build a tower. Interestingly enough, however, we see that the reason they were dispersed over the face of the earth was because they built the tower. How often do we think that we have the wisdom to find a “solution” to a “problem” only to discover that our “solution” is actually what created the “problem?” This is what happens when we trust our own wisdom over God’s.
Who’s Getting the Glory?
As we referenced above, the people did evil by building the tower. It wasn’t so much the building of the tower that was the issue. It was the heart behind the building of the tower. We see in Genesis 11:4 that they wanted to make a name for themselves. We actually see their hearts prior to that when they decided to build themselves a city and a tower. Notice that they didn’t want to build a city or tower for God. Any time we are building things (ministries, families, careers, etc.) for ourselves instead of God and any time we are looking to make a name for ourselves instead of God then we are being selfish and sinful. We need to make sure that everything we do in life is for God and for His glory. I have a saying that God gave me when I was running one day that keeps my heart focused on why I run: “in His strength. for His glory.” Each time I run, I pray that to Him: “Lord, let me always run in Your strength and for Your glory.” This has impacted other areas of my life before running. Let’s make sure pride doesn’t hold us back from what God has in store for us.
There Goes that 1st Person Plural Again
In Genesis 11:7 the LORD said, “Come, let us go down…” Notice that the 1st person plural pronoun being used. This is yet another reference to the trinity, even way back here in Genesis.
Coming to America
Have you ever wondered how people ended up in America since Noah and his family (from whom we all descend) were in the Middle East? Well, this passage is the answer. As the penalty for the selfish, prideful sinfulness of the people, they were dispersed over the face of all the earth (Genesis 9:9). America is part of all the earth, so it’s reasonable to say that this is when people started living here and in all other various parts of the world.
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