Noah’s sons and their families began to repopulate the earth after the flood. In Genesis chapter eleven records that the the whole earth was one language, and one speech. After the flood the Lord had told Noah to be fruitful and multiply (8:16), which was also a mandate for Adam and Eve (1:28). As God image bearers they were to represent Him on the earth. At Babel the people are in rebellion. The last verse of Genesis chapter 10 says “and from these the nations spread abroad on the earth after the flood.” They began to migrate back to the east with the intentions of building a city, a tower, and making a name for themselves. They stated their wrong intention: “lest we be dispersed over the face of the earth” (11:4). Their motive was swollen with disobedience.
The Bible includes many parallels and contrasts, the writer of Genesis uses this literary device in Genesis eleven and twelve. The people at Babel were in disobedience and lacked faith. Their intent was to be in one place, with one language, and make a name for themselves. In Genesis chapter twelve we see the contrast of what God’s intentions were through Abraham:
- Go from your fathers house
- Leave your kindred
- And country
- And I WILL make of you a GREAT nation
- I will bless you
- And I will MAKE YOUR NAME GREAT
God does what man cannot do under the power of the flesh and rebellion. Instead, he accomplishes His will through faith and obedience. God will make a great name for that man of faith and obedience- Abraham. Abraham is the antithesis of Babel. Abraham will multiply as the stars in the heavens and the sand on the shores. This prophetic nation will provide the Savior who will do likewise, be faithful and obey the will of God. The man Christ Jesus will fulfill the promise of Abraham, and Noah, and Adam. Similarly, He will produce sons and daughters of God who will be His image bearers going and doing likewise.