Genesis 11:6-7, Rebuilding the Tower of Babel

The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

//One day, the inhabitants of the earth decided to build a tower up to heaven. Unfair, they felt, that the gods frolicked up in heaven while they were stuck on the earth. So they put their mind and muscle to the task, and started building.

God panicked. Mankind, if they spoke the same language and worked together as one, could accomplish anything! They could invade the privacy of the gods! So, God confused their languages, and scattered the earth’s inhabitants around the globe. That’s why, today, there are so many languages.

There came a day, however, when God changed his mind. He decided it would be nicer to share his living space with his creation, and set about reopening the channel from heaven to earth. He came down and set things right. You know this as the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:2, Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

It’s Babel’s ending being reversed! Everyone, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mosopotamiams, Judeans, Asians, Phrygians, Egyptians, Cretans, Arab, Romans … all were able to understand each other. Amazed and perplexed, they asked each other, “What does this mean?”

Perhaps the answer is this: Once again, as one under the Spirit, mankind can do anything they set their mind to.