Confusion On The Twentieth Floor

Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.   Genesis 11:4

In the time of Noah, evil multiplied, so God cut it back with the Flood. But sin kept growing, so it was not long before a community of people at Babel found a new way to express their defiance toward God.

The people developed a new technology called “bricks,” and with this marvelous discovery a whole new world of possibilities was opened up. The people said, “Now we will be able to build higher than ever before. Let’s see how far we can go. Let’s build a tower right up to the heavens!”

The problem with this building was not its height, but its purpose—to proclaim man’s greatness. God allowed the work to proceed to a certain point, and then he cut it back: “Let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages” (Genesis 11:7).

Imagine you’ve been working with the same man on the twentieth floor, and one morning you ask him about last night’s game. He responds with a confusing grunt. You ask if he needs an aspirin, and you cannot make heads or tails of his answer. What’s wrong with him? Then you realize that you cannot understand a word that any of your coworkers are saying. Is this some kind of joke?

Eventually, to your great relief, you find someone else on the building site who speaks just like you. The two of you find a few others, and you agree to pack up your tools and create a new community where everyone speaks the same language.

God allows nations and individuals to pursue their own greatness to a certain point, but then he acts. Do you have a secret sin you have cherished? God will allow you to get to a certain point, and then he will cut you back. He must do that, because he disciplines those he loves (see Hebrews 12:6). But when you respond to God’s discipline, it creates more room for his grace.

For further reading, see Genesis 11