How does Genesis 11:1 connect to the events at Pentecost in Acts 2? Verse in Focus “Now the whole earth had one language and a common form of speech.” — Genesis 11:1 Scene at Babel • All humanity literally shared “one language” (Genesis 11:1) • Unified but arrogant purpose: “Come, let us make a name for ourselves” (Genesis 11:4) • The LORD personally intervened, confused the tongues, and “scattered them over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:7-9) Scene at Pentecost “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them… each one heard them speaking in his own language.” — Acts 2:4, 6 • Multiple nations gathered (Acts 2:9-11) • Dispersed Jews hear God’s wonders in their native dialects • The Holy Spirit unites rather than scatters (Acts 2:41-47) Key Parallels • Languages are central in both events • God is the direct cause of the linguistic miracle each time • A gathering of nations stands at the turning point of redemptive history Key Contrasts • Babel: one tongue → many tongues, producing dispersion and judgment • Pentecost: many tongues → one gospel, producing gathering and blessing • Babel magnified human pride; Pentecost magnified Christ’s glory (Acts 2:32-36) Theological Thread • God literally judged pride by dividing language (Genesis 11) • God literally blessed obedience by empowering diverse languages (Acts 2) • Zephaniah 3:9 foretells a purified speech for calling on the LORD together—fulfilled in part at Pentecost and ultimately in Revelation 7:9, where every tribe and tongue stands before the Lamb • The same LORD who once scattered now regathers through the Spirit, reversing the curse of Babel and inaugurating worldwide mission (Acts 1:8) Personal Application • Celebrate the trustworthiness of God’s Word from Genesis to Acts • Embrace the Spirit’s power to cross cultural and linguistic barriers with the gospel • Live as evidence of God’s intent to unite all peoples under Christ’s lordship |
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