Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” – Genesis 11:1-4
It is worth noting the value of this passage in redemptive history. All mankind was once linked in language. And the Holy Spirit demonstrated that in Christ this could happen again (Acts 2:1-13).
Another valuable insight of the text is the concluding movement “east” before God begins His redemptive work through Abraham. Adam and Eve were driven east (Gen 3:24) and Cain was set east of the land his parents dwelt in (Gen 4:16). Here again might be a contextual clue that the people were drifting away from God by staying together and seeking their own renown. This selfish desire went against the command of God to fill the whole earth (Gen 9:1).
It is of value that after witnessing the whole world sin by seeking to make their name great, God brings the very reality to the elect man Abram (Gen 12:2). Of course all of this simply points the truly elect and glorified man, Jesus Christ (Php 2:9-11).
