The Tower of Babel (Sermon Blog)
A quick note: We apologize for the audio quality in this week’s recording. Due to a significant technical issue, parts of the message include distorted sound and speaker feedback, especially toward the end. Thank you for your grace and patience—we hope the written recap below helps you fully engage with the heart of the message.
Series Recap:
In Part 4 of our History series, Pastor Steve walked us through Genesis 10–11 and the story of the Tower of Babel. This passage explains not only the origin of languages, but also reveals something deeper about the human heart—our tendency to move away from God, trust our own strength, and build our own kingdoms. The Babel story shows us both humanity’s rebellion and God’s mercy, as He intervenes to slow evil and redirect history toward redemption.
Starting Over After the Flood
After the flood, humanity was given a fresh start.
The earth had been cleansed
Only Noah’s family remained
God commanded them to spread out and repopulate the world
For a moment, it looked like humanity might get it right this time. But the same patterns soon reappeared.
One Language, One Ambition
Genesis 11 opens with humanity unified by:
One language
One culture
One shared goal
Instead of spreading across the earth as God instructed, the people chose to settle together and build something monumental.
They said:
“Let us build a city for ourselves”
“Let us make a name for ourselves”
“Let us not be scattered”
This was unity—but unity against God.
Moving Away From God
Pastor Steve pointed out an important biblical pattern:
People tend to move away from God rather than toward Him.
Throughout Scripture:
Adam and Eve were sent east of Eden
Cain moved east after killing Abel
Now humanity moves east again toward Babel
In the Bible, Babylon becomes more than a place—it becomes a symbol of rebellion, self-rule, and opposition to God.
Using Technology Without God
The builders of Babel made a major technological breakthrough.
They learned to make bricks instead of using stone
They used tar as mortar
This allowed them to build higher and stronger than ever before
Technology itself wasn’t evil—but it was used without God and against His purposes.
Pastor Steve connected this to today:
Technology can be used for healing, growth, and connection
Or it can be used to exploit, control, and distort truth
Progress without submission to God always leads to problems.
Building Our Own Kingdom
The heart of Babel wasn’t architecture—it was pride.
The people wanted:
Independence from God
Control over their future
Fame and recognition
This echoes the original temptation in the garden:
“You will be like God.”
Jesus later taught us to pray:
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done.”
Babel represents the opposite:
“My kingdom come. My will be done.”
God Comes Down
One of the most striking moments in the story is this:
God had to come down to see the tower.
Despite humanity’s pride, their greatest achievement still fell far short of God’s greatness.
God’s response was not destruction—but intervention.
He confused their language
He scattered them across the earth
He slowed the spread of unified evil
God divided humanity so that He could ultimately heal humanity.
From Babel to Pentecost
The story of Babel doesn’t end in Genesis.
Pastor Steve pointed us to Acts 2, where God does something remarkable:
Languages no longer divide
The Holy Spirit enables understanding
People from many nations hear the gospel
At Babel, languages scattered people.
At Pentecost, languages united people in Christ.
God redeemed what was once used for rebellion.
A Warning and a Hope
Pastor Steve also connected Babel to future rebellion described in Scripture.
The Bible warns of:
Charismatic leaders who oppose God
Systems built on pride and self-exaltation
“Cultural Christianity” without true devotion to Jesus
A faith rooted only in culture will not stand.
A faith rooted in Christ will.
The Core Lesson of Babel
The Tower of Babel reminds us:
Human pride always leads to division
God resists self-exaltation
True unity is found in obedience to God
God’s plans cannot be stopped—only delayed
History shows us that every attempt to replace God eventually collapses.
A Question to Reflect On
As we consider this story, we’re invited to ask:
Am I building my life around God’s kingdom—or my own?
Where might pride be shaping my decisions?
Am I trusting God to define me, or trying to define myself apart from Him?
God’s desire has always been relationship, not rebellion.
The History series continues with Part 5 next week.
Join us as we keep uncovering how God works through human history to bring redemption, purpose, and hope.