Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
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Thanks for joining our study. I write “our” because loyal readers frequently comment and reply to each other as if we are sitting around a table. And, we always respect each other’s beliefs and opinions.. cough-cough..because there is no fighting in Bible study.
Speaking of communication today, we discuss the Tower of Babel, a significant event recorded early in the Bible's first book, Genesis 11:1-9. That means God Almighty had a consequential and critical lesson for humankind to help guide our relationship with Him. Let's read the passage since the Tower of Babel has only nine verses.
“Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, ‘Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar.”
“Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves 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 whole earth.’ But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building.”
“The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’
“So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel —because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”
The quick lesson of this story: “I’m God – you’re not – so don’t mess with me.” The End.
“ ‘Oh, good,’ says impulsive Myra, ‘Bible study finished early, so I won’t be late for my manicure.’ ‘Uh, not so fast,’ speaketh Myra’s conscience, ‘There is more to this story than God is God, and you are not. Go forth but reread Vol. 201 – What the Bible says about appearance.’ ” We continue..
The nine-verse Babel narrative is rich with symbolism, offering insights and consequences into prideful human nature. Moreover, the story addresses humankind’s desire for power and self-glorification crashing into the wall of divine sovereignty, resulting in the human race's scattering with a communication breakdown. (Cue the Led Zeppelin song “Communication Breakdown” if you need an energy jolt.)
Here is a closer examination of the verses:
“Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves 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 whole earth.’ ”
The “whole earth” is shorthand for the descendants of Noah after the flood, which purged the world of corruption. And again, humankind is causing God to levy some heavy punishment. Also, put aside the phrase “Come, let us” for a few moments.
Since humanity was industrious and united in speech while dwelling all together on “a plain in Shinar,” the people became (in modern terms) “full of themselves.” Thus, they decided to “build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves..”
Their intention to reach the heavens means they were striving to be equal to God, which means they could defy His authority by making a name for themselves. Humans shall never think that they are worthy to invade God’s domain or equate themselves to Him for any prideful, egotistical reason. In this case, to avoid being “scattered over the face of the whole earth.” And because God is God, He arranged for their fear to come true with even worse consequences once He saw what they were doing.
Thus, when God sees the city and tower they were building for the reasons they were building, He says, “ ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.’”
The next verse begins with “Come let us,” the phrase you held aside. Notice how God mirrors their language to emphasize His power over them, saying:
“Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’ ” God makes it clear that He reigns supreme over humankind. Not only did He weaken them geographically through scattering, but He attacked and reduced their ability to communicate with one tongue when He “confused the language of the whole world.” What can we learn from this story?
God’s authority is always to be praised, worshipped, and glorified. If you or your group thinks and acts with the intention “to make a name for ourselves” contrary to God’s law and authority, stop right there and read Genesis 11:1-9. But if you or your group foolishly proceed, Almighty God will perform a zap-down. Count on Him to assert His authority by disrupting any human plans that challenge or try to diminish His dominion over heaven and earth. On the other hand, the secret sauce that pleases Him is when you or your group acts with praise, humility, and obedience.
Today, one could argue that the internet is the new “Tower of Babel” — a powerful universal tool speaking from the same platform connecting humankind for good and evil.
Furthermore, I consider human cloning another Tower of Babel-like effort since only God is the creator of life. Know the facts because this is a complex, multi-faceted issue. However, the technology for humans to create humans without God is rapidly advancing. So watch out when God is deleted from the creation equation.
Remember, the Tower of Babel is a cautionary tale about God’s relationship with humankind. He is the same God, and humanity will witness His wrath whenever we try to undermine or equal His power and authority.
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
Myra is also the Executive Director of SignFromGod.org and the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Both are educational donor-supported ministries dedicated to building a permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. Visit the life-sized Shroud replica in D.C. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com.
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