Bad Unity - Genesis 11:1-9

What was the sin of Babel? It must have been serious – God himself came down and brought judgement. The people of Babel were scattered, dispersed, spread out over the entire earth. This was a punishment that affected every nation, every culture, the whole world.

What did they do? Some say they were trying to rebel against God. Others say it was pride, their selfish ambition.

And yet the obvious reason is given to us, right there in the passage. It is not hard to see, but it is very hard to accept. In fact, some of us probably did see this but immediate went, “That can’t be right. There must be a mistake.”

I am talking about verse 6, where God, the LORD himself says, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.”

Judgement has come on the people of Babel because of their unity. God has punished men for being united, for working together.

Doesn’t that sound strange – Doesn’t it even seem wrong of God to do this?

And listening again to God’s words in verse 6, doesn’t he seem just a little concerned?

If they have begun to do this… then nothing will be impossible for them?

What is God so worried about?

Let’s find out.