Rashi, commenting to the first verse of the story of Migdal Bavel (11:1), writes that the people constructed the tower in an attempt to prevent another flood: “They said: Every 1,656 years, the sky collapses, as it did during the time of the Flood; let us make supports for it.”
This explanation, taken from the Midrash, should perhaps be understood as an allegorical insight into the mistake made by the people of that generation. They thought that they could solve their problems and ensure their wellbeing solely through their own ingenuity and industriousness, without any need for God or religion. They sought to construct “supports” for the heavens in the euphemistic sense, by presuming for themselves the power and ability to protect themselves. Rather than understand that God brought the flood in response to mankind’s sinfulness and corruption, they instead decided that they can somehow take control of the Earth by themselves and keep it safe, without having to rely on God.
This explanation dovetails with Rashi’s alternate approach to the Migdal Bavel story, claiming that the people built the tower in an attempt to “wage war” against God: “He does not have the right to choose the upper worlds for Himself; let us ascend to the heavens and wage war against Him.” In this instance, too, the Midrash’s comment need not necessarily be taken literally. It perhaps means that the people rejected the notion of God’s omnipotence and control over the Earth and sought to oppose it. They assumed for themselves the “upper worlds,” the power and authority that until then was viewed as the exclusive province of God. They “waged war” against the belief in God’s unlimited control, asserting their independent ability to govern and control their own affairs without any involvement on God’s part.
God therefore responded by arranging a situation where the people were incapable of working together. He demonstrated the limits of human capabilities, that despite our great potential, we nevertheless are and always will be dependent upon His kindness and grace. The builders of the tower were correct in recognizing and seeking to harness human ingenuity. They erred, however, by failing to recognize its limits, and that we are incapable of accomplishing and succeeding without the Almighty’s help.