January 27, 2026

Business by the Book

Genesis 11:8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

Why did the people fail? They were one, they had one speech, they had a plan, and they were doing the work. But they failed. The Lord ended their tower building program in a very significant manner. Why?

In a word, pride. Think about it. In verse one of chapter 11 we are told that …the whole earth... and in verse two the use of the word “they” indicates that the whole world was in this group. This was the only group of people, the only civilization; evidently there were no other groups of people anywhere else on earth. Why then did they have to …make us a name… as stated in verse four? A name for whom to notice?

By studying the etymology of the term “us a name” there is a hint that this phrase means more than simply a reputation. It has the connotation of meaning “The Name” as a designation of deity or even God. For my entire life preachers have always claimed that the individuals involved with building the tower of Babel were doing so in order to become gods. Now I know why.

The word “pride” is used forty-six times in Scripture and “proud” is used another forty-seven times. Of all the Bible has to say about this topic, none of it is good. One reference states, Pride goeth before destruction… (Proverbs 16:18). Twice it is recorded that God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6, I Peter 5:5). The Lord dealt harshly with the people in Genesis 11 because of their pride. They desired to be as God. As we know from the serpent’s temptation of Eve in the Garden that the desire to be as God brings about ruinous consequences.

Probably more businesses, individual careers, marriages, churches, and sporting teams have been destroyed as the result of pride than any other reason. Pride always travels with unsavory companions, like confusion, hurt, laziness, hate, and jealousy. I have personally seen many business deals that could have benefited both parties tremendously fall apart only because of pride.

The tower of Babel is a monument to the imposter named Pride. Business is challenging enough without the extra anchor of pride holding you back. Guard against Pride’s tacky tentacles from squeezing the good out of all the possibilities of your life.

Dr. William Howe