Reading: Genesis 11:1-8
Reflection: Language, as a marvelous cognitive and social phenomenon, is at the heart of the birth of the church. Language is given to us to communicate, store, and transmit knowledge. Language connects people in communities. Language is the key instrument through which the culture of every social group is built. While in Babylon, God confused languages, but on Pentecost, God gathered people of all languages and united them. In Babylon, languages were unintelligible. On Pentecost, languages were understandable. Do you now understand the idea of the Christian understanding of the events on the day of Pentecost?
Many believe that Pentecost is a reversal of the Babylonian curse of confused languages. This would mean that a good idea in the past went awry. If so, we might expect that, at the end of the Bible, the eschatological drama will conclude with the unification of all nations under one language. Is that really the case? Let’s turn to the text of the book of Genesis where we read: “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth'” (Genesis 11:4). Pay attention to the last part of the quote: “Otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” The classical reading of the text, to some extent rightly, identifies the problem in humanity’s attempt to equate itself with God by making a name for themselves. But here it becomes clear to us that what opposes God’s purpose is manifested in humanity’s desire to gather in one place out of fear of being scattered over the face of the earth (Genesis 1). Therefore, God confused their language and scattered them over the face of the earth. The confusion of languages was a good thing. It enabled humanity to fulfill God’s task for them, to continue to fill the earth. However, filling the earth is not an end in itself. The apostle Paul reveals to us God’s ancient purpose in his famous speech on the Areopagus in Athens. Humanity is scattered over the face of the earth to seek and find God, for He is not far from us, no matter where we are on the planet (Acts 17:26). The diversity of languages and the boundaries among nations resulting from different languages help humanity move toward truth and its ultimate encounter with God. Different languages are, as we see, a wonderful means for God’s work among nations. On Pentecost, God begins to unite all nations under the Messiah/Christ but does not interfere with their linguistic diversity.
“I am coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see my glory!” (Isaiah 66:18b)
“After this, I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9)
Since this is a text for daily devotion, the question remains about its practical application in the life of Christians. One way we can think about it is as follows: If we are like most people, we resist change with all our might. The greater the change, the more we resist it. Of course, this does not apply to situations in which we are highly motivated. A better job, higher income, a more comfortable life, or the search for a partner encourages us to move forward. But we often perceive God’s voice, Word, and commandments as insufficient incentives for change and movement. And the early Church had its own experience of the Tower of Babel. Somewhat complacent in the initial success of preaching the Gospel, they set aside Jesus’ instruction to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). It took great persecution in Jerusalem for the believers to finally move. The result was a great awakening in Samaria and the beginning of missionary work that took the Church all the way to Rome.
Prayer: Lord, we are aware that we often resist change. We want Your voice, Your Word, and Your commandments to be a sufficient incentive for us to move. Help us not to be complacent in temporary successes or comfort, but to be obedient to Your call to be witnesses of Your love in our neighborhood, our community, and to the ends of the earth. Grant us the courage to face persecution and to unite in missionary work, so that we may bring Your light and love to everyone around us. Amen.
Translated by: ChatGPT May 24 Version