Tower of Babel was the result of man operating in the flesh, which led to confusion.
Pentecost is the result of man operating in the Spirit, which leads to freedom and life.
Genesis 11:3-4 NKJV
3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar.
4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
The “let us” language of flesh exalts self.
The fear of not leaving a legacy or being part of one is their driver for trying to create one.
Jeremiah 13:11 NLT
As a loincloth clings to a man’s waist, so I created Judah and Israel to cling to me, says the LORD. They were to be my people, my pride, my glory—an honor to my name. But they would not listen to me.
The language of surrender to Jesus creates a humility that proclaims the wonderful works of God in our lives and establishes our place in His eternal kingdom.
We belong!
Galatians 2:20 NLT
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Genesis 11:6-7 NKJV
6 And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.
7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language…
God descends and brings an end to the abusive power of unified communication, creating different languages, different people groups, and divided nations.
The Holy Spirit descends on the Day of Pentecost and unifies the different languages of different people groups from divided nations and establishes His Church in the power of Spirit expressed in unity.
In our walk with God, is our cause or our agenda greater than our surrender?
John 10:25 NKJV
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.
These religious leaders, unified in protecting their kingdom, their cause, have become deaf and blind to the power of God revealed in Jesus. Uniting around a cause is a powerful counterfeit to being united in Christ.
John 10:26 NKJV
But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.
Being caught up with the intoxicating driver of legacy results in counterfeit religious activities that fail to create an intimate relationship with the Shepherd.
John 10:27 NKJV
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Jesus is saying, “Put a premium on listening to My voice.” It creates an intimacy of knowing Him, a comfort in walking with Him, and an ease in following Him.
John 10:28-29 NKJV
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
Knowing Him and being known by Him creates an unshakable resolve that brings peace to your soul, settling the fact that nothing will separate you from His love and protection.
John 10:30 NKJV
I and My Father are one.”
The religious leaders of the day are locked into a language of a self-protecting agenda, unable to see the power of God or hear the language of heaven that screams, “Jesus is the Messiah; follow Him!”
John 10:31 NLT
Once again the people picked up stones to kill him.
Tower of Babel: man, united in a cause-driven agenda, drawn away from their Father’s purpose.
TIFAW
I live accepted by God my Father, protected by Jesus my Shepherd, and guided by the Holy Spirit.
I belong.
The voice and identity of another I will not hear, because I keep my eyes on Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2