Every Tribe and Tongue

In Wales, every sign is legally required to be first in Welsh and then in English. I rather like this, for it is important that Welsh is preserved as a language; it is part of the rich culture of these British Isles. Yet it is, both to me and possibly a great many Welsh, pure gobbledegook. I heard a few cheeky comments about it this week, some suggesting it is a form of Elvish, another expressing gratitude for Welsh councils so generously supplying visitors with the local Wi-Fi passwords. My knowledge of Welsh is not much less than my knowledge of Greek, despite the fact I spent two years studying it. I seldom make this claim seeing as I have so little to show for that time. Yet I am reminded that one day all language barriers, cultural clashes and national rivalries will be over. Revelation 5:9 says

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation…”

Here, Babel is utterly undone. Not only are languages deemed irrelevant, but the gospel redemption about which they are singing elevates us to heaven without our baking a single brick. Thank God.