[Ancient Hebrew]
To be honest, I’ve always had a thing for languages, though Ancient Hebrew holds the top spot. If I have the time, I’ll share a photo of my language book collection (or a small portion of it at least)! I dabble around to and fro; one day it’s French, the next Italian, then Japanese or Swahili—I find it all delight. I just love communication, teaching, and storytelling. I suppose that’s why I write so much too.
I often wonder about the languages that no longer exist and what they must have sounded like; what cultures, customs, and peoples they belonged to. How I wish I could learn at least a bit of them! Language is so powerful, and communication is equally as powerful.
This reminds me of the story of the Tower of Babel. The capabilities of humankind when we communicate and work together are astonishing. But as seen in the story of Babel, language barriers can also create division and challenges.
“Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.” —Genesis 11:1
”But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’” —Genesis 11:5-7
Even in the confusion of Babel, God’s power and wisdom shine. While the division of languages initially caused disconnection, He later brought unity through the first of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In Acts, we see how God reversed the effects of Babel, enabling His followers to communicate His message of salvation across linguistic barriers:
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. … Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears the in our native language?’” —Acts 2:4, 7-8
When I was a little girl–maybe 3 or 4 perhaps–I remember trying to hard to speak in tongues and failing. Some of the other children were faking it, and I thought about faking it too, but I wanted to do it for real. I wanted to really speak in tongues. I remember crying so much on the carpet in Sunday school because I’d failed to. I was seriously distressed! I look back now and smile about it, as I can only imagine what God must have thought looking down on my child self. I’d like to think that He was very pleased that I’d really tried.
Memories like those inspire me to keep exploring language and embrace the beauty of diversity while remembering that God is the ultimate communicator. Through His Word, He speak to all nations, Tribes, and tongues.
An Glimpse of Heaven
I imagine, in heaven, I might know all the tongues that even existed. Maybe we will all speak one heavenly language, perfectly unified in worship and communication. The Bible gives us a beautiful visition of people from every nation and language coming together before God:
”After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm breaches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’” —Revelation 7:9-10
Until then, I’ll keep cracking the language codes, delighting in their intricacies, and remembering how God uses communication to spread His love. Whether it’s through writing, speaking, or simply listening, language is one of His greatest gifts to humanity.
I pray many many many many many many many many many many many many many many blessings over you,
xoxo
Rosalyn Rose