The Connection Between Pentecost, Exodus and the Tower of Babel

When we look back at the Jewish roots of our faith, we can see that many Feasts are practiced and celebrated. The most known one is Passover, celebrated around Easter time, but Passover isn’t the only important Feast celebrated. There are several, one of which being Pentecost.

Many get scared when they hear the word “Pentecost.” For those who grew up in Pentecostal churches it may be relatable, while some view it as a scary word if you don’t quite know or understand what happens in those churches. While they share the similarity, the word Pentecost is a word of its own.

Pentecost, a Greek word, was known as the “feast of harvest” or “feast of weeks” to the Jews of the Old Testament. It was called this because it was the celebration of the early wheat harvest. The word Pentecost, whether familiar or not, isn’t scary at all. It comes from the Greek word, pentekoste, and literally means “fifty.”

In Exodus, fifty days after the first Passover, marked the celebration of Pentecost and it was at that time that God gave the Israelites the Law on Mount Sinai.

In Leviticus 23:15-16, we see God change the timing of this feast to start counting from the first sabbath after Passover. Originally, the 50 days were to be counted from Passover:

 “‘From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord.’”

What may seem irrelevant, is God being very intentional. He already knew that Jesus was going to die on Passover and become the Passover Lamb and He would rise again on the Feast of First Fruits, setting up the Feast of Weeks accordingly.

Fast forward to the time of Jesus and we see all of this come together.

Jesus was on earth for 40 days after His resurrection. Acts 1:3 says:

 “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”

 What is interesting is that many think the last words of Jesus are the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:19-20:

“‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”

While Jesus did say this, they weren’t His last words. Jesus’s last words weren’t telling them to go, but in fact, stay.

“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’”

- Acts 1:4-5

Why did He first want them to stay? He explains it as He says His final words before ascending to Heaven in Acts 1:6-9:

“Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”

So, why did He first want them to stay before going out all over the world to be His witnesses, sharing the message of the Gospel? So they would receive power. So they would receive the Spirit. If we try to go out on our own we fail (John 15:5), but through the power of the Holy Spirit all things are possible.

They waited 10 days for His Spirit after His ascension. A subtle reminder that when God makes us wait, it is for something greater than we could ever imagine. In this case, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is also a wonderful reminder that God keeps His promises.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to them right before His ascension. He promised the Holy Spirit during His ministry (John 14:26). We even read about the future outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Joel 2:28-32.

50 days after Jesus’ resurrection, God gave the first believers of the church His Spirit. It is recorded that 3000 were saved as they accepted the message and were baptized by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:41).

You may think that 3000 is just a random number, but remember, God is intentional with everything.

In Exodus, during the first Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), God wrote His law on tablet stone and 3000 people died because of idol worship, immorality, and disobedience (Exodus 32:28).

Hundreds of years later, we got a prophesy from Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 31:33 says:

“‘This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the Lord. ‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.’”

And that’s exactly what God did. In Acts, God wrote His law on their hearts and 3000 people were saved.

3000 died in Exodus with the giving of the Law. 3000 were saved in Acts with the giving of the Holy Spirit. That’s not a coincidence. God is intentional with everything. The law brings death. The Spirit brings life.

God made a covenant with the Israelites in Exodus, but they broke the covenant immediately. In Acts, God fulfilled His promise and covenant from Jeremiah, giving believers new life here on earth and in eternity. A beautiful example of God’s love and grace.

As we close, let’s look at one more amazing parallel from the Old Testament.

In Genesis 11, we read about the story of the Tower of Babel. At that time the people shared one language. They all teamed up together to build a tower to the heavens so they could make a name for themselves.

As we continue reading this story, we see the work of the trinity with the using of the word “us.” The same use of the word “us” that we see in Genesis 1:26 when God made us in His image.

“‘Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’ So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”

Genesis 11:7-9

God confused their language and they were unable to understand each other because they were seeking their own glory and own benefit. He then scattered them throughout the whole earth.

In Acts with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we see striking contrasts to the story in Genesis 11 with the Tower of Babel.

Acts 2:5-6 says:

“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.”

In Genesis 11, the people who gathered in one place spoke one language, but God confused their language and scattered them throughout the earth. In Acts 2, people from all nations return to one place speaking different languages, but because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they were able to speak in other tongues and they could understand each other.

In Genesis 11, God went down to confuse and scatter them. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came down to reunite and bring understanding. They understood the language. God brought redemption. Another beautiful and intentional act of God.

As we reflect on what we have learned about Pentecost, we can see many amazing things. Pentecost celebrates Jesus’ faithfulness to His promise. It is a celebration of the birth of the church and people coming to know and receive Lord Jesus. It acknowledges the presence, outpouring and baptism of the Holy Spirit. It shows God’s intentional work at hand throughout time. It confirms that God is a God of redemption and restoration. It reminds us that we have a comforter who gives us power. It is a reminder that God’s presence dwells inside of each believer.

As we go onwards in our lives, may we receive and be baptized by the Holy Spirit by believing in Jesus. May we appreciate the Holy Spirit’s presence and the power that lives inside of us. May we work hand in hand with the Holy Spirit to share the message of the Gospel, give glory to God, and let Jesus’ Name be known around the earth.

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