Genesis 11:1-9 – The Tower of Babel
Categories: Bible Study LessonsGod took action to delay the progression of the plans of mankind at the tower of Babel. Man had the tendency to move toward evil and were quite inventive in the pursuit of it. So God divided mankind by tribe and tongue. We learn that it is by God’s decree that there are so many languages on the earth.
Many centuries later Moses would warn the people of Israel not to, “fall in with the many to do evil” (Exo. 23:2). It seems that this was precisely what was happening with the people of the earth. In the ancient times towers were built as places of worship. These were never authorized by the creator in worship to Him (Do a Google search for “Ziggurat”). At the Tower of Babel God slowed the progression of their apostasy by taking away the power of the leaders over the people and causing them to drift apart.
Let us make a name for ourselves, v. 4. This was in no way for the glory of God. It seems more likely a lie told to rally the people for action. This was defiance of God.
And the Lord came down…, v. 5. God uses accommodative language to indicate the actual insignificance of the plans of man. Note the ease with which God spoiled all their “great” plans. By decree God confused their language and caused the work to stop
Therefore its name was called Babel, v. 9. Babylon was a city with a great ziggurat. It may be that this is the beginnings of that great city.