Genesis 11 ends the opening section of Genesis. Genesis subdivides into five main sections: The beginnings (chs. 1-11), and then the stories of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph). Genesis 1-11 is really one long narrative about humanity's frustration of God's good plan. In the beginning, when God finished creating, everything was "very good." Yet, Adam and Eve quickly made a mess of things when they decided to live autonomously apart from God. Cain killed Abel, and despite the promising note of people calling on the name of the Lord at the end of Seth's lineage, very quickly humanity descends once again into disobedience. This descent is so severe that God describes humanity as having evil at the center of their thoughts, all the time (Gen. 6:5; 8:21). Note that this declaration is made both before *and* after the flood. Despite saving Noah and his family, God knew that humanity would always be inclined towards evil and, therefore, against God. Thus, in Genesis 11, we see the culmination of this evil desire to be like God and to ascend to God.
There is irony in Genesis 11. The first four verses describe how the people came together, decided to make a tower, began building, and desired to make the tower tall enough to stretch into heaven. This would "make a name" for themselves. Yet, in one swift verse, "The Lord came down to see the city and the tower." We can't attain the heights of God; God comes to us. Jesus was born into this world as a baby; and Paul testifies that while we were enemies and sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5). We may try to build great things to make a name for ourselves, but despite our sin of pride and arrogance, God still comes to us.
There is a further irony, in the genealogy of Abraham. Abraham settled with Terah and Lot in Canaan. In the next chapter, which details God's covenant promise to Abraham, Abraham is called out of Canaan to a new land, but the promise of blessing is ultimately that God will lead Abraham's descendants back to the land of Canaan.
