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.” Genesis 11:4
The Story
Instead of spreading over the earth, Noah’s descendants gathered together and began constructing a city with a tower reaching toward the heavens. Once again, humanity was hungry for power, falling away from God’s design and into sin. God responded to their pride by mixing up their language, causing them to scatter. [1]
The Significance
Thousands of years later, on the day of Pentecost, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began speaking in other languages that they didn’t understand. Others listening nearby heard the disciples speaking in their language. [2] Isn’t it amazing? The sin of the tower of Babel caused a separation of language, but Jesus bridged that separation through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[1] Genesis 11:1-9; [2] Acts 2:1-12