Babel and Babylon are the same place and hence Nimrod is behind what is happening here (see 10 v10 and 11 v9).

The tower of Babel was built to reach heaven (v4), for the builders to make a name for themselves and to stop them being scattered. God sees pride and sin behind all this and comes to confuse and scatter the people (v5-9). It is amazing how shortly after the flood pride again takes over mankind. Pride is so dangerous, pray about where you are guilty of pride.

Here we see that God actively works to restrain evil in this world. We might ask why this world is as bad as it is, but we could also say that, but for God’s gracious intervention evil would be so much worse.

God restrains evil today through the influence of families, governments and the church. Is evil being properly restrained in your life?

The chapter then focuses on Noah’s son Shem from who would come Abraham (10-32). Even in the very dark days of Babel, God is working out His plans and purposes.