Before going on with the eleventh chapter, we will just notice a couple of things in the tenth. The names given in it are of great interest to those who study the Word of God, for they tell us where the families of Noah’s sons settled after the flood. This gives us the key to some very important prophecies in other parts of the Bible, for it is all linked together according to the perfect wisdom of God. The Jews are the descendants of Shem, the Gentiles of Japheth, and Egyptians and other African peoples are from Ham.
The Tower of Babel
“And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech” (Genesis 11:11And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. (Genesis 11:1)). Think of how nice it would be if everyone still spoke the same language! It would save so much trouble, and even war, if they did, but every blessing which depended on man’s faithfulness has been lost. Man’s course has always been one of departure from God, thus bringing God’s judgment upon him. The blessings we enjoy in the world today are the result of God’s patient grace to His creature, for we deserve His righteous judgment.
These men in their pride decided to build a tower whose top would reach to heaven, perhaps thinking they could take shelter in it if there were another flood, although God had promised there would not be another one. However they started to build. Their tower must have looked very grand, and the bricks were well baked. It was getting higher each day! But what kind of mortar were they using? It was slime, which was really a black asphalt. This would remind us of our black, sinful hearts which the Bible says are, “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:99The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)). The whole building was held together by the “black mortar” of sinful man and his efforts, and was doomed to failure. All men’s plans to reach heaven, or to escape judgment by their own works, are useless. God’s salvation is by grace, and not of works (see Ephesians 2:8-98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)).
God’s Building
In contrast to this tower that the children of men were building, we are told in 1 Peter 2 about a building that God is making. It is composed of all true believers, who are “living stones” in this wonderful structure. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only foundation, and the Corner Stone, and when any boy or girl accepts Him as his or her Saviour, God builds them as “living stones” into His building. All who are part of this building will surely reach heaven and spend eternity there with the Lord Jesus. Dear reader, do not try to get there by your own efforts, for you cannot. Accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour today.
God came down to see the city and the tower which the children of men were building. Remember, boys and girls, that God knows all about your plans too, and the motive behind every action. Are you leaving Him out of your life, or do you try to please Him day by day? These men were trying to work out their own plans without any thought of God, but they came to a sad end. God made them all speak different languages, and they could not understand one another; they left their building, and were scattered over the face of the earth. In spite of it all, God is still working in grace, and is saving the souls of men and women “out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:99And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9)).
Further Meditation
1. What does the black mortar used to build the tower represent to us?
2. Why does God use a symbol like “living stones” to describe Christians who are currently being added to His house? How do stones get shaped by the master builder?
3. There’s a wonderful and simple meditation entitled The Tower of Babel—Genesis 11 found in God’s Wonderful Stories: Volume 2 by Grandma Smith.