“Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 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. 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 (God gave them these instructions, “And you, be fruitful and multiply, increase greatly on the earth and multiply in it.” (Genesis 9:7)) over the face of the whole earth.” And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 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. Come, let us go down and there CONFUSE THEIR LANGUAGE, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” (Genesis 11:1-7)
At the outset, we find that humanity has unified in purpose and language to build a great city and tower. Their ambition is to reach the heavens, an endeavor that appears to be driven by pride and a desire to establish their own name and reputation. This collective effort raises concerns in the divine realm, prompting the Lord to “come down to see the city and the tower the people were building.”
The Lord’s statement, “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,” highlights the incredible potential of human unity. Here, we are reminded of the power of cooperation and how it can lead to remarkable achievements. However, it also serves as a cautionary note about the dangers of UNCHECKED HUMAN AMBITION, disobeying God’s command.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham