In Moments of Pride, Remember the Tower of Babel
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The Tower of Babel is a Biblical account that can teach us a lot about our lives.
This encounter ends with a sad circumstance of separation and distance between humanity. Sin continues to separate. What really interests me is that we see the God who caused this confusion as a consequence of sin, later bring unity through Jesus.
We see that same Trinity who was scattering in Genesis 11, uniting in Acts 2. Jesus had come, died, rose from the dead, and ascended. Then God came down. Although this time, He came down to send His Spirit.
Acts 2:1-4 says, “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 2:5 shares that every nation under Heaven was present in Jerusalem. Acts 2:6 gets even more amazing, “And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language." They could not figure out how they could each understand. “Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?" (Acts 2:8).
In Acts 2:11b they continue, “We hear them in our [own] tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." Is that not interesting, that in the beginning of time, when there was chaos at the tower of Babel, God conversed with the Trinity and came down to the people to divide them because of their sins? Now, we see that same Trinity coming down again, but this time to create unity and deliver the gift of the Holy Spirit. Every nation was represented, and we hear them declaring the wonders of God in their own tongues! There was one language that day. One message of the gospel of Jesus. One group of people. Unity was restored.
Although we still deal with the negative effects of sin and division by language today, the gift of the Holy Spirit creates a unity among the world. When two people from opposite sides of the globe share Jesus’ love, they are connected in a beautiful way.
Are we trying to make a name for ourselves like the Babylonians? Are we striving for our own glory and honor? Are opportunities becoming about us? It is easy to take gifts from the Lord and make them into idols. May we surrender and keep God on the thrones of our hearts each day.
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