READ: Gen. 11:1-9
The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords …– Rev. 17:12-14
Gen. 10 mentions the descendants of Noah’s three sons. They grow into different nations, spreading across many lands of the earth. However, that is not the case in the beginning. Right after the flood, God gives Noah and his sons the same command: “Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth!” (Gen. 9:1).
The number of people in the generations of the three sons does increase significantly, but they do not spread out across the earth. In that sense, they do not fulfill God’s command. They form a unity, with one language and one place of dwelling. In search of greater opportunities, they eventually migrate to Shinar in the east, where there is fertile land near great rivers. There is also clay for making bricks. The offspring of Noah’s three sons are still together. In Noah’s tent, there is indeed an antithesis among them, but that is not mentioned here.
There is unity in people and language. Unity itself does not have to be harmful. Even the Lord desires unity in His church. But the unity in Babel is based on an ambition that exalts itself against God. It is the ambition of godless tyrants like Nimrod, the king of Babel (10:8-10). The people themselves want to make a name for themselves apart from the name of God (v. 4). Then they can achieve anything they want. The tower symbolizes this ambition. Unity creates power.
This power-seeking seriously threatens the seed of the woman. But God puts an end to this wicked unity by confusing their language. They can no longer understand each other. There is no communication anymore. Unity is gone. In this way, God humbles the pride of humanity and preserves His church.
Is the pursuit of unity in the world dangerous for the church?
Singing: Ps. 2:1