Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.  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. 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.” But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 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. (Gen 11:1-6 NKJ)

Humanity had divided into two groups, the nomadic herders, and the city dwellers.  The nomads represented those who trusted in God and listened to his leading and guiding.  The city dwellers, from the line of Cain, were still following in the foolishness of Adam.  They believed that they had no need of God and put their trust in walls of protection and a tower that would reach into the heavens. Even the materials they used were man made and not God given.

The one overarching principle, however, that even today we fail to grasp is the power of unity. Even God recognized the potential of unity. The Psalmist says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psa 133:1 NKJ)

Today, even Christians cannot agree, arguing over the smallest items of doctrine and dogma. When it comes to those who worship the God of Abraham, we listen to the world for advice and not the Spirit speaking to our heart. I want to be the Christian that has no need of walls but rather chooses to trust God, and if I do any building, it will be with the language of peace, justice, and reconciliation.