Introduction
“Then they said to each other, ‘Let’s build for ourselves a city and a tower. And let’s make the top of the tower reach high in the sky. We will become famous. If we do this, we will not be scattered all over the earth.” Genesis 11:4
Noah’s family was the only one on earth. They had a whole new world in which to live. After -a while, Shem, Ham and Japheth, Noah’s sons, had big families of their own. Thus, the generations of people were created by each having a large family. They began to scatter and build in different places. That way, the God fearing people could move away from the wicked people.
Some of the people moved south from Mount Ararat where the Ark had rested, and lived in Shinar. There they made bricks and built strong houses and walls. They became important when they saw their city was going to be a strong one. They said, “Let us build a great tower that will reach to the sky.” Then we will not be separated from one another.
The people set about to build a tower, and it became higher and higher, but God was not pleased with them because they were thinking only of themselves. It was God’s plan that all men live close together. He knew the wicked would lead the good away, and they would forget Him.
To stop the building of the tower, God caused them to speak different languages. Up to now they could understand each other. Those building the tower now could not understand their fellow workers enough to work together. They left the tower without finishing it, and it stayed that way. The families began moving away as God had planned, so they could be with those they could understand.
The city where the tower was built. was named Babel, which means confusion. Much later it was known as Babylon, and became a great city in the world.
Quiz
1. What did the people of Shinar decide to build?
2. Why did they want the tower?
3. Was God pleased with the tower?
4. What happened to the people’s language?
5. Was the tower finished?
6. What was the city later called?
