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 over the face of the whole earth.” (11:1-4)
The people wanted to build a tower for fame and so that they wouldn’t be dispersed. Yet back in Genesis 9:1 God gave the command to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. He wanted them dispersed, so He dispersed them: “Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth (7-9). God’s will will be done, whether we cooperate or not. Cooperating with God is the better choice.
Unity is powerful—but power is only good when it is submitted to God, and not against God. To work with others, we all must be submitted to God. We need humility towards one another.
Many years ago, I was humbled to witness a group of leaders who met weekly to pray and seek God for who would bring God’s Word (i.e. be the speaker) for the Sunday service. In this room full of leaders there was a humility and unity that was precious and powerful.
Prayer: May there be unity among Your people, O God, and disunity among Your enemies, among those with evil intent, who speak lies. And may I be quick to hear and obey, and not do my own thing, since your “thing” is infinitely better! Amen.
