Genesis 11:3,4

Making a Name for Themselves

The text makes it clear the people began to be more interested in their own thoughts than God's will. Three times they used an expression starting with the words, "let us." Much like the man with too great a harvest for his existing barns, they left God out of their planning (Genesis 11:3-4; Luke 12:16-21). They decided to make bricks, build a city with a tower reaching to heaven and make a name for themselves. The tower is reminiscent of a Babylonian ziggurat. Such were shaped liked Egyptian pyramids. Their bases could be up to several hundred feet wide. On top of the first level would be another with a smaller base and so on until they reached the final height.

Bricks would have been necessary because large amounts of stone are not generally available in that area. The asphalt they used was a very sticky substance sometimes called bitumen. There is no particular sin in building. The problem here is the intent and attitude of the people. A desire for personal fame prevents one from truly giving God the glory. Also, God wanted the earth repopulated, while they intended to stay in one place (Compare Jeremiah 32:17-22; Nehemiah 9:7-12; Genesis 9:1).