And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:9 ESV)
Variety
Babel was a place of grand human accomplishment. More than just a tower, Babel displayed human unity, human communication, and human focus.
But from Noah’s time, God had something else in mind. He instructed Noah, after the flood, to, “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” (Genesis 9:1 ESV) Community is good, unless it narrows our minds. Banding together is good, unless it stops us from growing. Being with folk who are like us is pleasant, unless we forget that there is beauty outside of ourselves, too.
I can relate to those Babel-folk. I like to stay home, I like to be with like-minded people, I like to have absolute unity. But God knows how He made us… and broader is better.
Without a steady rock to stand on, though, being in the midst of wild ideas and new concepts is dangerous. I think the Babel-tower was being built to give the newly forming society something solid to look at, and to feel a false safety.
We do not need a tower to steady us in the midst of variety.
We do not need a tower to lean against when spreading out feels uncomfortable.
We do not need a tower because we have a Something better.
This is what the Psalmist has in mind when He tells God, “for You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.” (Psalm 61:3 ESV)
It is good to explore new ideas, locations, and people, as long as we have our feet planted on God and His Word.
It is good to spread out physically, socially, and emotionally, as long as we have our hearts planted on God and His Word.
It is good to be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, as long as our tower is the One True Living God.
We are peculiar, because of our Rock, variety can be exciting and safe.