January 22, 2026

Business by the Book

Genesis 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

Years ago I was working on my son’s classic Chevrolet Nova. There was some sort of electrical problem that we were trying to fix. My wife came out to the garage and asked if there was anything she could do to help. I said, “Yeah, would you go to the auto parts store for me, I need some fuses. She was kind enough to agree and asked me exactly what I needed. I said, “25 amp fuses.” 

She was gone forever, like hours; the auto parts store was less than five minutes away from our house. Finally she returned home. I asked her why it took so long and she said that the nearest store did not have enough fuses; she had to go to three stores to find enough. I kind of looked at her with a disbelieving glare and she handed me the bag. She bought twenty 5 amp fuses. I needed two fuses that each were rated at 25 amps. She thought when I said 25 amp fuses that I needed a quantity of twenty fuses that were rated at 5 amps each.

We were of one language, but not of one speech. She heard what I said, but her understanding of my speech was according to her knowledge. My understanding of my speech was according to my knowledge. Twenty five amp fuses could mean 25 amp fuses or twenty 5 amp fuses. The same words but two different meanings!

God’s Word is careful in today’s verse to note that the entire population of the earth at that time not only had one language, they also had one speech. In Texas when my granddaughter says Pop she is speaking about me. My friend in Chicago also uses the word Pop, but he means “soft drink.”  Those raised in Georgia call all soft drinks Coke. When my kids were young, you know, college age, they would ask the waiters in Chicago, “What type of Cokes do you have?”  Those waiters never got it!

To be successful within any group it is important to have one speech. That is, to have one common understanding of key words, concepts, principles, and strategies. Businesses, churches, families, social groups, ball teams, and organizations of all types have their jargon based on their specific tasks. Just make sure that everyone in the group truly understands the meaning of that which is communicated. If not, you may need 25 amp fuses and receive twenty 5 amp fuses.

Dr. William Howe