The story of the tower of Babel tells us why we have so many languages today. It is also another example of how humanity rebels against God. The time, energy and building materials they put into building the tower could have been put to so much better use, but they use them to make themselves like God, just as Adam and Eve had desired. The genealogy at the end of the chapter introduces us to Abram’s family, setting things up for the story of Abram in the chapters that follow.
Many people try to get to God using their own methods like doing good things or participating in religious rituals. Titus 3:4-5 says, “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” When we try to get to God our way, it’s more than just prideful self-sufficiency; it’s a rejection of God’s mercy. We need to trust in God’s mercy to take care of the sin that closes the door between us and God.