Tower of Babel
99
mand the admiration and homage of the world and render the founders
illustrious. The magnificent tower, reaching to the heavens, was in-
tended to stand as a monument of the power and wisdom of its builders,
perpetuating their fame to the latest generations.
The dwellers on the plain of Shinar disbelieved God’s covenant
that He would not again bring a flood upon the earth. Many of them
denied the existence of God and attributed the Flood to the operation
of natural causes. Others believed in a Supreme Being, and that it
was He who had destroyed the antediluvian world; and their hearts,
like that of Cain, rose up in rebellion against Him. One object before
them in the erection of the tower was to secure their own safety in
case of another deluge. By carrying the structure to a much greater
height than was reached by the waters of the Flood, they thought to
place themselves beyond all possibility of danger. And as they would
be able to ascend to the region of the clouds, they hoped to ascertain
the cause of the Flood. The whole undertaking was designed to exalt
still further the pride of its projectors and to turn the minds of future
generations away from God and lead them into idolatry.
When the tower had been partially completed, a portion of it was
occupied as a dwelling place for the builders; other apartments, splen-
didly furnished and adorned, were devoted to their idols. The people
rejoiced in their success, and praised the gods of silver and gold, and
set themselves against the Ruler of heaven and earth. Suddenly the
work that had been advancing so prosperously was checked. Angels
were sent to bring to naught the purpose of the builders. The tower
had reached a lofty height, and it was impossible for the workmen
at the top to communicate directly with those at the base; therefore
men were stationed at different points, each to receive and report to
the one next below him the orders for needed material or other di-
rections concerning the work. As messages were thus passing from
one to another the language was confounded, so that material was
called for which was not needed, and the directions delivered were
[120]
often the reverse of those that had been given. Confusion and dismay
followed. All work came to a standstill. There could be no further
harmony or co-operation. The builders were wholly unable to account
for the strange misunderstandings among them, and in their rage and
disappointment they reproached one another. Their confederacy ended
in strife and bloodshed. Lightnings from heaven, as an evidence of