Tower of Babel: Post-Flood or Pre-Flood in Ellen G. White's Writings?

No, Ellen G. White did not state that the Tower of Babel was built before the Flood; her writings clarify that the building of the Tower of Babel occurred after the global deluge, and she even addressed a past typographical error that could have led to this misunderstanding 🕊️.

Here's a gentle explanation of this truth:

The Tower of Babel: A Post-Flood Endeavor

• Motivation from a Past Flood The builders on the plain of Shinar disbelieved God's covenant that He would not again bring a flood upon the earth, and one of their primary objectives in erecting the Tower of Babel was to secure their own safety in case of another delugeCE 208.2. They hoped to build it high enough to place themselves beyond the possibility of danger, and even to investigate the cause of the previous flood, clearly indicating that the Flood had already occurredCE 208.2. Furthermore, the Babel builders are described as having murmured against God, complaining of His severity in destroying the world by a flood, which firmly places their undertaking after that eventPP 120.3.

• Addressing Misconceptions It is important to know that a typographical error in an earlier printing once created a seeming historical discrepancy, which unfortunately led some readers to believe that the book taught the Tower of Babel antedated the Flood. However, this error was soon discovered and corrected. The original teaching, and the corrected text, maintains that the Tower of Babel was built after the Flood3SG ii.4. While the sacrificial system established after Adam's fall was corrupted before the Flood, it was also corrupted by those who later engaged in building the Tower of Babel, indicating two distinct periods or groups involved in this corruption3SG 301.4+1.

• Historical Context The founding of cities like Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian realm, is recorded as happening soon after the dispersion from the Tower of Babel, further confirming its post-Flood timeline Jonah 3:3PP 125.1+2. This means that the world had already experienced the devastation of the Flood Genesis 6:5-13 before the events at Babel unfolded.

God's Intervention and Man's Pride

The builders of Babel were united in a heaven-daring undertaking, motivated by pride and a desire to establish a government independent of GodEP 72.2+1. They aimed to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered over the earth, but God, in His mercy to the world and for the sake of the faithful among them, intervened by confounding their speech, thus putting a check on their rebellious purposesPP 120.3+3. Their grand monument to pride became a memorial of their folly and ended in confusion, strife, and defeatPP 120.3+1.

This event serves as a powerful reminder that relying on self and rejecting God's law leads to shame and defeat, just as Satan's principles led to rebellion in heaven and Cain's offering was rejectedPP 120.3. God's unwavering authority ensures that none can defy His power with impunityPP 120.3.

Ellen G. White states that Eve leaving Adam's side made her vulnerable to the serpent's temptation, which was a critical factor leading to the Fall3SG 39.1+1. While the Bible does not explicitly detail Eve's exact location relative to Adam during the initial temptation by the serpent, it does state that she gave the fruit to her husband "with her" after she had eaten it Genesis 3:6.

Here’s a deeper look into this important event:

The Danger of Separation

• Divine Warning Angels had visited Adam and Eve, specifically cautioning them against separating from each other in their daily activities3SG 39.1. They were warned that if one were alone, they would be in greater danger of encountering the fallen foe, Satan3SG 39.1. This counsel underscored the importance of their unity for protection.

• Eve's Vulnerability Eve disregarded this warning and left Adam's side, placing herself in a more vulnerable position3SG 42.1. Adam deeply regretted that Eve had left him, recognizing the danger of her solitary state3SG 42.1. It was during this separation that the serpent approached her at the tree of knowledge of good and evil3SG 39.1.

• The Temptation and Fall of Eve The serpent, through flattery and deception, questioned God's wisdom and implied that God was restricting their libertyDD 13.3+1. Eve was deceived, imagining she would gain greater wisdom and a higher state of existence by transgressing God's lawDD 13.3+2. She plucked and ate the forbidden fruit, experiencing a "strange, unnatural excitement" rather than immediate ill effectsPP 55.3+1.

Bringing Temptation to Adam

• Eve as Satan's Agent Having herself transgressed, Eve then became Satan's agent in influencing Adam's ruinPP 55.3+1. She sought out Adam, her hands filled with the forbidden fruit, and related what had occurred, persuading him to eat as wellPP 55.3+1. She assured him she felt no ill effects, but rather a pleasing and exhilarating influence3SG 42.1+1.

• Adam's Decision Adam was not deceived in the same way Eve was4LtMs, Ms 32, 1885, par. 4. However, his love for Eve was strong, and in utter discouragement at the thought of being separated from her, he resolved to share her fate3SG 42.1. He seized the fruit and ate it, and like Eve, did not immediately feel its ill effects3SG 42.1.

Biblical Context

The biblical account in Genesis 3 describes the sequence of events:

• The serpent spoke directly to the woman, questioning God's command Genesis 3:1-5.

• The woman (Eve) responded to the serpent, stating God's prohibition Genesis 3:2-3.

• The serpent then contradicted God, saying, "You shall not surely die" Genesis 3:4.

• Eve "saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat" Genesis 3:6.

• Immediately after eating, the text states, "and gave also to her husband with her; and he did eat" Genesis 3:6.

While Genesis 3:6 indicates Adam was with Eve when she gave him the fruit and he ate, it does not explicitly state his presence during the entire dialogue between Eve and the serpent, or when she first decided to pluck and eat the fruit. Ellen G. White's writings provide additional insight, clarifying that Eve was indeed alone and separated from Adam when she was first tempted by the serpent and ate the fruit, after which she brought it to AdamPP 55.3+3. The angelic warning against separation, as described in Ellen G. White's writings, underscores the wisdom of maintaining unity and mutual support against deception3SG 39.1.