“Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” Genesis 11:7
Two things stand out in Today’s Verse. The first one is the use of the word “Us”. No one needs an explanation that this is a Plural Form of the one talking. Here, God uses a word that indicates “more than one”. We would understand this usage as indication of the Trinity. This is the 2nd time a reference to the Trinity is used. The 1st time was in Man’s Creation. Since we are made in “the Image of God”, it is noteworthy that Father, Son and Spirit are all involved in determining Mankind’s future.
The second one is; God Made People Groups, not Man! He created the Language Differences that caused the separation of the One Race. Up until then, “Everyone” understood each other. The only differences would have been minor. But once “communication” changed; Man and his entire Culture would separate, and hence, Change! Major Application: The use of “Us” underscores the fact that “God Did This”, not Man! Also, that there is only One Race, Mankind, and that we all share the same Father, Noah, the same dilemma, SIN, and all need the Same Savior, Jesus!!!
I’ve always looked at this as an opportunity to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Even though we are ethnically and racially diverse, we remain children of God. Effectively brothers and sisters in Christ. To me the commandment is clear, everybody is my neighbor, not just those that look, talk, and believe as I do.
Yes, it does put a different spin on things doesn’t it? And they are not Just our Neighbor, they are distant Relatives! 🙂