“Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower ... and let us make a name for ourselves” (11:4). Noah’s descendants, united by one language, came together to make something impressive, lasting, and glorious – to ‘make a name’ for themselves. Their tendency toward sin made this project dangerous, and the Lord recognized that “this is only the beginning of what they will do” (11:6). To stop their ingenuity from producing catastrophic harm, God “confused their language” and dispersed them over the earth (11:8).

“These are the generations of the sons of Noah ...” (10:1). Humanity’s attempts to ‘make a name’ for ourselves can be disastrous. God calls us to live for His glory, not our own, putting our lives and ambitions in His hands.