The story of the Tower of Babel begins a pattern of consequences seen throughout Scripture. You may wonder why we started a series on Abraham’s faith journey with this story. First of all, it is the story that immediately precedes God’s call to Abraham and provides context. Secondly, it also demonstrates how God works with humanity.
From the beginning of Genesis through this story, God worked with all humanity as a whole. Yes, God did work with just Noah and his family, but it was to bring judgment to the rest of humanity. Afterward, God made a covenant never again to destroy the world and gave the sign of the rainbow.
The confusion of languages forced the people to disperse across the earth. As they did so, they developed their own cultures and characteristics. God again changed the world to counter evil. But we are left needing some solution to the sin problem.
The Way Forward
God wasn’t done with humanity, but from this time forward would work with one people group. As a consequence of the scattering, there would be nationalism and warfare among the different people groups. This, however, was better than unity in sin and following the enemy.
As we shall see in the coming weeks, God chose to work with one family from this time forward. God called Abraham, and Genesis 12 through the end of the Bible is all about Abraham’s family.
God chose to demonstrate who He is through the covenant with Abraham and then his descendants, the nation of Israel. They, in turn, were to reveal God to the rest of the world. God placed them at the crossroads of nations to give them access to other peoples. Unfortunately, they became proud and did not do this task well.
Similar Consequences to Disobedience
Ross and Oswalt, in their commentary, describe a theological truth: “Israel was to be united as the people of God, unique in all the world. The one simple requirement for them was to obey the word of the Lord. If they did, God would establish them firmly in the land; if they rebelled against the Lord and his institutions, then they too would be scattered across the whole face of the earth and speak different languages.
And that is what happened. Israel followed the same disastrous path as the ancient Babylonians and actually ended up in exile in Babylon. Thus, the theme of arrogant rebellion is central to the story. God puts down those who exalt themselves. God’s plan will be established, if not with man’s cooperation and obedience, then in spite of his disobedience.”[1]
God carried out His plan through Abraham’s family, the nation of Israel. But it took an obedient remnant of one, Jesus Christ. Jesus never sinned and that allowed Him to take our place and give His life in place of ours. 1 Peter 2: 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. [2]
To learn more about a pattern of consequences, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/human-ambition-humbled
[1] Ross, A., & Oswalt, J. N. (2008). Cornerstone biblical commentary: Genesis, Exodus (Vol. 1, p. 92). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Pe 2:24). Tyndale House Publishers.