Daily Lectionary | Genesis 11 & John 6:1-21
Genesis 11
Summary
The story of the Tower of Babel is a highly structured piece of Hebrew prose. It unfolds in what’s called a chiastic pattern.
A The whole earth has one language (v. 1)
B Settled there (v. 2)
C. Said to one another (v. 3)
D Come, let us make bricks (v. 3)
E. Let us build (v. 4)
F. City and tower (v. 4)
G. Lord came down (v. 5)
F’ City and tower (v. 5)
E’ That man had built (v. 5)
D’ Come, let us confuse (v. 7)
C’ One another’s speech (v. 7)
B’ Scattered from there (v. 8)
A’ Confused language of the whole earth (v. 9)
In Genesis 10, we learn from Peleg’s name that the earth was divided. Further, we learn that Shem’s descendants journey east. Now, in Genesis 11, we read that “people migrated east.” And seeking to overcome the natural divisions of the earth, they desired to build a great city and tower together: “Come, let us build ourselves a city and tower with its top in the havens and let us make a name for ourselves, lets we be dispersed over the face of the earth” (Gen. 11:4).
The east is the land of exile in the Bible, and it’s here humanity gathers and erects a temple of human accomplishment. But this tower is a temple of rebellion. Noah’s descendants should have scattered, been fruitful and filled the earth, but they have conspired together against the Lord. The Lord comes down to inspect this temple and he’s not impressed.
They built the city and tower in order to avoid scattering, but the Lord comes down and scatters the people by confusing their language. This was a failed attempt at “uniting the nations.” The result was only confusion and scattering. In Acts 2, the nations assemble once again at Pentecost. And the Lord comes down once again on the gathered nations, but rather than confusion, the Lord gives the apostles a gift of tongues so that all were hearing in their own language the message of the Gospel, the only hope for a truly United Nations.
After the story of Babel, we have two more genealogies, of Shem and Terah. The Genealogy of Terah introduces us to Abram, the next major character in Genesis.
Reflection Questions
1. In Genesis 11:1, a literal translation reads, “Now the whole earth had one lip and the same language.” “One lip” could be referring to a common worship. If that’s the case, then how might we better understand the rebellion that’s happening?
2. The Tower of Babel is yet another story of the fall. Think back through Genesis to this point and recount the different fall stories. Do you notice any patterns or themes? What role does pride play in each fall?
John 6:1-21
Summary
John once again alerts us it was the Passover, which evokes the stories of the Exodus. And Passover time, especially for Jews under Roman occupation, brought up thoughts of deliverance. Here, we have 5000 men (plus many more women and children) who are hungry. This recalls Israel hungering in the wilderness. In Israel’s case, the Lord provided heavenly manna as a miraculous provision. So now Jesus, in this Exodus context, shows that he likewise can bring a miraculous provision of food.
In John 6, eating and drinking become important themes and object lessons for Jesus’ mission. Also in this chapter, we hear several echoes of the Eucharist: "Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated” (Jn. 6:11). In John 4, Jesus declared himself able to provide drink that never runs out. Now Jesus shows himself to provide more than enough food.
After this miraculous feeding, Jesus comes to his disciples who sailing across the sea and joins them in the boat. Another miraculous sea crossing in the Exodus comes to mind. Jesus has just been identified by the crowds as the Prophet, the new Moses, and now he’s leading his followers across the sea.
Reflection Questions
1. Read Psalm 23 and consider how Jesus enacts that Psalm in John 6.
2. Why is there food leftover in the miracle? Why 12 baskets of bread?