Terah, father of Abram, grandfather of Lot, (27–32)
they remove to Haran.Verses 1–4
How soon men forget the most tremendous judgments, and go back to their former crimes!
Though the desolations of the deluge were before their eyes, though they sprang from the stock of
righteous Noah, yet even during his life-time, wickedness increases exceedingly. Nothing but the
sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit can remove the sinful lusts of the human will, and the depravity
of the human heart. God's purpose was, that mankind should form many nations, and people all
lands. In contempt of the Divine will, and against the counsel of Noah, the bulk of mankind united
to build a city and a tower to prevent their separating. Idolatry was begun, and Babel became one
of its chief seats. They made one another more daring and resolute. Let us learn to provoke one
another to love and to good works, as sinners stir up and encourage one another to wicked works.
Verses 5–9
Here is an expression after the manner of men; The Lord came down to see the city. God is just
and fair in all he does against sin and sinners, and condemns none unheard. Pious Eber is not found
among this ungodly crew; for he and his are called the children of God; their souls joined not
themselves to the assembly of these children of men. God suffered them to go on some way, that
the works of their hands, from which they promised themselves lasting honour, might turn to their
lasting reproach. God has wise and holy ends, in allowing the enemies of his glory to carry on their
wicked projects a great way, and to prosper long. Observe the wisdom and mercy of God, in the
methods taken for defeating this undertaking. And the mercy of God in not making the penalty
equal to the offence; for he deals not with us according to our sins. The wisdom of God, in fixing
upon a sure way to stop these proceedings. If they could not understand one another, they could
not help one another; this would take them off from their building. God has various means, and
effectual ones, to baffle and defeat the projects of proud men that set themselves against him, and
particularly he divides them among themselves. Notwithstanding their union and obstinacy God
was above them; for who ever hardened his heart against him, and prospered? Their language was
confounded. We all suffer by it to this day: in all the pains and trouble used to learn the languages
we have occasion for, we suffer for the rebellion of our ancestors at Babel. Nay, and those unhappy
disputes, which are strifes of words, and arise from misunderstanding one another's words, for
aught we know, are owing to this confusion of tongues. They left off to build the city. The confusion
of their tongues not only unfitted them for helping one another, but they saw the hand of the Lord
gone out against them. It is wisdom to leave off that which we see God fights against. God is able
to blast and bring to nought all the devices and designs of Babel-builders: there is no wisdom nor
counsel against the Lord. The builders departed according to their families, and the tongue they
spake, to the countries and places allotted to them. The children of men never did, nor ever will,
come all together again, till the great day, when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of his
glory, and all nations shall be gathered before him.