If Babel serves as a symbol of the world's misuse of God's gifts, then Pentecost is that event where the Church is first empowered to use God's gifts for holy purposes. This morning we will look at the use and the misuse of God's gifts. Those constructing the Tower of Babel greatly misused their resourcefulness for sinful and foolish reasons. These ancient people combined all of their talents in stubborn opposition to the will of God who made heaven and earth. What they were attempting at Babel was more than merely a tall building project.
Earth is man's residence.
Heaven is the Lord's domain. In our day of airliners and astronauts this may sound like a primitive notion, but their attempt to build a tower that reached into the heavens was an attempt to go somewhere that they believed only God could go. In their pride they wanted to elevate themselves to God's level. This forced God into action. The Lord God confused their speech in order to hinder the arrogant plans of these ancient peoples.