Context and Episodes

One of the best ways of discovering meaning in Biblical Narrative is by breaking down the entire book into episodes and then looking for connections between the episodes in close proximity.

The Tower of Babylon and The Call of Abraham (Genesis 11 and 12)

Here are the facts:
1.  Babylon wanted to make a name for themselves (fame) in chapter 11
2.  Babylon wanted to reach heaven.
3.  Babylon wanted to gather together to avoid spreading out into the world.

1.  God made a name for Abraham in Genesis 12.
2.  God in heaven reached down to Abraham.
3.  God called Abraham to go out from his own land.

Check out also how in previous episodes in Genesis, God told people to go out and fill the world.  This was a constant theme in the early chapters of Genesis.  The builders of the tower wanted to do the opposite - to gather together.  When God called Abraham, he told him to go out from among his land and his people and he obeyed.

Conclusions

To best understand Bible narrative, it is necessary to ask yourself these questions:
1.  What episode went before and what went after? 
2.  Are there themes, phrases, names, or words that connect the episodes?
3.  Is there anything in these episodes that are common?