Metaphor

A tower to make a name

Genesis 11:1–9

One language, one project, one fear of being scattered, and a tower whose top would reach heaven. God comes down to see it, which is already a joke about the height. He confuses their speech and scatters what they tried to glue together. Babel is every attempt to secure ourselves by building something tall enough that we will not need mercy. Pentecost will later redeem the languages. It will not bless the tower.

How you’d preach it

Ask what this church is building to make a name. Unity without God is just a taller loneliness.

  • Pride
  • Community
  • Calling

Genesis 11

Genesis 11:1–9

Back to the Shelf

Nearby

Quote

Lewis again, from The Weight of Glory: “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.” The people in the…

Identity · Community · Hope

Lewis · Genesis 1

Story

Jacob has spent a life arranging outcomes — the stew, the blessing, the speckled flocks, the gift train for Esau. At the Jabbok he…

Identity · Calling · Pride

Genesis 32

Object lesson

In the ancient world, salt preserved, flavored, and, in some covenants, sealed a relationship. Jesus tells disciples they are the…

Mission · Formation · Community

Matthew 5 · Leviticus 2

Story

Cain’s offering is not received and his face falls. The Lord warns him: sin is crouching. Envy is not a small heat. It is a…

Anger · Pride · Worship

Genesis 4