We’ve alluded to this story before, but today let’s dive a bit deeper and make a real New Testament connection.
 
People remember Genesis 11 because of the tower, but there’s more to the story than impressive architecture. Here, humans shared a common, though misguided, purpose: to make a name for themselves.
 
They possessed real unity … in every way you could imagine. But unity organized around self-exaltation isn’t the unity God has called us to. Just because people are moving together doesn’t mean they are moving in the right direction. At Babel, humanity used their shared strength to secure and magnify themselves while resisting God’s purpose.
 
God responded by confusing their language and scattering them across the earth. His judgment completely fit their rebellion. They rallied together around themselves, so God drove them apart.
 
Fast forward to Acts 2. The different languages still remained as they do today. But in this instance, people understood the Good News in spite of this division. Babel sought a great name for humanity, but Pentecost proclaimed the name of the risen Lord. Babel gathered around ambition, but Pentecost gathered people around God’s accomplishment and around Jesus Himself.
 
Pentecost is a spiritual and actual reversal of the events of Babel. But there’s more going on here, too. With the impartation of the Holy Spirit, God is forming a people who don’t need to be exactly the same in order to belong together. The Spirit of God transcends our differences and unites in Himself, turning our attention towards Him and not what divides us.

In terms of our worldview, this gives us clear affirmation that Biblical unity isn’t just humanity being awesome enough to hold itself together or achieve great things. Lasting, Biblical unity is found only under the reign of the King of Glory.
 
Anyone can build great things and find ways to unite people around a cause; the question is, “in whose name are we doing the building?”

Where are you most tempted to find security or significance in making a name for yourself? How does Babel challenge the assumption that unity is always good regardless of what that unity serves?

Father, expose my heart where it still longs to make my name great. Forgive me for confusing success, influence, or even man’s approval for your blessing. Teach me to desire You name to be honored more than my own. Help me to gladly take my proper place under your rule and reign. Amen.

“One way I’m tempted to make a name for myself is __________________.”