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“Moses states that upon
this sin there followed a
punishment, namely, the
division of languages. This
may appear to have been a
light punishment, but surely
it is a terrible one if you
take into consideration the
extreme hardships that
resulted from this division
of languages. For one thing,
identity of language is a
very strong bond in human
association and harmony
among men. In this
instance, too, the statement
of the proverb is true: “Birds
of a feather flock together.”
A German likes to converse
and associate with a person
of his own nationality. But
where the languages differ,
there not only no commerce
develops, but hatred arises
in the heart against that
nation whose language you
do not understand. Thus a
Frenchman hates and
despises the Germans; the
Italians hate and despise all
nations except themselves.
Thus it is clear that as a
result of this division of
languages hearts were
disunited, customs
changed, and dispositions
and endeavors altered.
Consequently, you can
truthfully call it the seedbed
of all evils, since it has
caused political as well as
economic confusion.”
Luther
Tower of Babel
Genesis 10-11:9
The Babbling...Genesis 11:5-9
1. What would you say were the builder’s chief goals in life? What’s
wrong with that view of life? (1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat
or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”)
2. Who is the “us” that came to inspect the Shemite’s building project?
3. How did God disrupt the plans of the builders?
4. What were the results of God’s actions?
5. How has the confusion of languages affected the various nations of
the world today?
6. Martin Luther commented that God’s judgment at Babel was much
more horrible than the judgment of the flood. What do you think
he meant?
7. To understand God’s harsh judgment recorded here it might help to
read:
Psalm 33:8,”Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the
world revere him.”
Psalm 67:1-3, “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make
his face shine upon us, Selah 2that your ways may be known on
earth, your salvation among all nations. 3May the peoples praise
you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.”
Psalm 72:8-11, “8He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to
the ends of the earth.9The desert tribes will bow before him and
his enemies will lick the dust. 10The kings of Tarshish and of
distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and
Seba will present him gifts. 11All kings will bow down to him and
all nations will serve him.”
What was God’s purpose in scattering the sons of Noah over the
face of the whole earth?
8. What would you say is your chief accomplishment in life?
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