Acts 2:38 – Babel in Reverse
The building of the tower of Babel is also a story of gross stupidity brought about by pride.
The tower builders found a great plain where they could live called Shinar, and decided to build a tower there. They believed they could build a tower that would reach to the heavens — with biting irony the Scripture says, “But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building.” Their tower hadn’t reached heaven at all, in fact, God had to “come down” to “see the tower.
Man’s great gains that he believes himself to have accomplished are so insignificant to God.
The whole purpose of the building of the tower was that they would be unified by one grand achievement. They wanted to be independent of God, but God reminded them that was not possible. The tower intended to bring people together was the tower that scattered people and drove them from each other. Alienation from God results in being alienated from others.
Now their language, instead of being the same, all sounded like babbling — thus the name Babel. The place became known as Babylon — a city associated with evil throughout Scripture. Words and language became incomprehensible as God confused their purpose by confusing their language.
Today, we have never had more means of communication, and never has communication been more difficult. The curse of the tower of babel is still with us. Men “babel” on with many doctrines and opinions. Few there be that understand the voice of Scripture.
The message of Babel is: “God is nowhere.” The message of Scripture is: “God is now here.”
The New Birth experience (via Acts 2:38) reverses Babel.
At Babel the people all came to one place to build a tower in order to reach the heavens.
At Pentecost, the Bible says, “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place” and their purpose was to reach God.
At Babel they all spoke one language, and God caused them to speak many languages.
At Pentecost they all spoke one language, and God caused them to speak many languages.
That is the purpose of God’s Pentecost: To give new purpose. To change chaos and confusion into understanding. To turn men from rebellion to love and obedience through the power of the Holy Ghost.
— jlg —