Biblical Date: Pre 2100BC
The story of Babel helps to explain why we are a divided people!
Following Noah’s great flood, as his family and descendants spread out over the lands, we can readily imagine healthy communities taking shape with systems and laws agreed to manage day-to-day life and give thanks to God for his great love.
However, not everything was so idyllic. In the land of Shinar, as the population increased, the people decided to build a city with a huge tower reaching to the heavens. It was a self-indulgent folly, they wanted power and hoped their people could ditch their nomadic lifestyle and instead, the city’s name would become famous and people would travel to them to admire their stunning structure!
As God looked down on their work and plans, He was offended saying, “If as one people, all sharing a common language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be beyond them”. (Genesis 11:6)
So God “confused their [common] language” and they were unable to understand each other, the building work on their tower stalled and they dispersed to many parts of the world. (Genesis 11:7)
The unfinished tower’s name became known as Babel. (Genesis 11:1-9)
Thought
What prevents me from talking to God? Usually, it’s my sin!
Reflection
Almighty Father, open my eyes to my selfish ways. May my wants, desires and needs be those of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer: Before A Crucifix
Behold, O Kind and Most Sweet Jesus,
I fall upon my knees in Thy sight,
and with the most fervent desire of my soul,
I pray and beseech Thee
to impress upon my heart
lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity,
with true repentance for my sins,
and a firm desire of amendment.
Whilst with deep affection and grief of soul,
I ponder within myself and mentally contemplate
Thy five most precious wounds,
having before my eyes that which David the prophet spoke,
O Good Jesus: “They have pierced my hands and feet,
they have numbered all my bones.” Amen.
Top Questions:
Where was Shinar?
Shinar was in Southern Mesopotamia; today’s Southern Iraq.
How was the Tower of Babel built?
It probably had a ziggurat structure with a mud brick core and hardened baked-brick exterior. Each row of brick was stepped inwards like a pyramid. Most were without an internal stairway and could only be ascended from the exterior.
Have archeologists found the remains of the Tower?
No. The Tower of Babel has not been discovered but many ziggurat structures have albeit with their height reduced to varying degrees from weathering and pillaging.
What was the meaning behind the story of the Tower?
The story implied people were rebelling against God’s wishes and embarking on a future of self-pride. Indeed, ziggurat structures had deep pagan roots. They were seen as stairways to their gods, to their heaven.
(Pagans: People of no religion or who worshiped gods other than Christianity.)
How does the story compare to our way of life today?
Some draw parallels to the Tower of Babel and our misuse of Social Media or our scientific attempts to discover the “God Particle” (Higgs-Boson particle) which, it’s suggested, could unravel the mystery to life!
