June 19, 2026:

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11.8-9)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

I believe I have reflected on this thought before: Why is there so much male pronouns in the Bible? Do I think the Bible was written to elevate men over women? Does God desire a male-dominated world and women are reduced to entities whose only purpose is to serve him and Him alone? Can God and His word be discounted by women because it thus has “nothing” to say that is both truly positive and affirming of their gender as dominate, powerful, leading and prominent as most women’s movements declare today? (See the recently approved SBC statement concerning women serving as pastors of churches) Nothing could be further from the truth in my opinion. However, the caveats are plain, simple and clear. And I take my lead from today’s scripture in Genesis 11 concerning the building of the Tower of “Babble On.”

First, let me embrace the name which was given to those who sought to unify their efforts with one common goal. It shows the result and determination of a people who are focused and have “this” in common. What is this? It is to speak one language and to speak it clear and with determination. While scripture here may give us the inclination to literally hear only one “language” as in English, German, Spanish, French, Hebrew or whatever language was spoken as God had created Adam and Eve with. However, it is possible that the language mentioned as spoken by “all the world” could as easily be understood as the language of purpose. The greatest challenge of any leader is to “sell the vision.” The leader must get everyone on the “same page” so that there is a clear understanding of goal, objective and process. Harnessing the gifts, talents, skills, abilities, intellect and strength of everyone on the team to move in one direction is critical. We can look at the “any number” horse team pulling wagons across the prairie. Harnessing the collective energy of that team gives the one holding the reins an opportunity to experience success. Imagine a locomotive without a track on which to pull any number of railcars from one place to another. Without the singular focus which the track presents, the train can only be derailed. The engineer must know the lay of the track as it approaches switches so that one way is open and another way is closed. If the switch is middled, then the train derails and the journey is dramatically ended. (Hear the Glorified and Resurrected Christ speak to John for the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3.16: Be either hot or cold but never lukewarm, lest I spew you out of My mouth.) The principle is clear: focus. Those who lived in the land of Mesopotamia followed a leader who declared that such a city and such a tower not only could but should be built. It has a truly singular purpose which was to elevate them above all other people. They would be high and lifted up even to the very heights of Heaven and enter into the atmosphere of God and His residence as if by their own volition and accomplishment they deserved the right of recognition and the privileges of it. Mighty ones of God, that is the epitome, as I offered yesterday, of works righteousness. It is evidenced in today’s culture and climate. Look how interest groups of all kinds vie for attention as the singular “right” voice to be heard and followed. Even today is a prime example in this country being “Juneteenth.” A day those who are the descendants of American 19th Century slavery celebrate as their “independence day.” Believing that all slaves were not truly free until the last declaration of freedom was heard (June 19, 1865), the collective “national” call to celebrate their liberation is now a national holiday. However, I would easily point out that such dependence on a celebration which is not fully understood nor embraced only promotes that “slavery” still exists. And it is not merely African-Americans who experience such slavery (for many of those who were slaves in the United States were first slaves in African nations by their own people) but all types of people of every nation, race, creed, religion, politic and gender. Are we truly free until we speak the authentic language of freedom? Dare I say what “language” that is, mighty ones of God?

Second, the word “babel” in Hebrew is denoted as “confused.” The introduction of mixed purposes creates a language barrier. Whenever self is involved and challenged, the mind begins to sort thoughts and motives in a chaotic fashion. The distortion of thoughts, actions and words often conflict then with even the interpretation and understanding of the very same words in the minds and mouths of others. This “play on words” is a tactic used often in today’s media, culture and climate. The desire to control the language by demythologizing it (destroying the original meaning as antiquated and without current application) and then replacing it with either a new functional meaning to suit a need in the current scenario or a new world altogether which has a similar meaning but now is under “new ownership” has always been a part of the enemy’s plan. We saw it in the beginning on the “eighth day” when Satan as a serpent invited Eve to consider the meaning of God’s word and His moral judgment as it pertained to obedience and the consequence of death. The decision to rewrite the Bible to remove gender identity is another example of seeking to control the narrative to fit modern poor decisions instead of being faithful to the intent of the word as it was given. This leads back to my comments concerning the use of male words within scripture. The reflection is upon God (as Father) which Jesus (His Son identifies with and to.) The actual call and use of male vocabulary is, in my understanding, the means of accountability of man to God. I say this because it is the fault of man (created first) to not put the enemy on alert by staying faithful to the Word of God regardless of the understanding of the vocabulary. It was God’s desire and command and that should have been enough. When we get the Word of God into proper practice, that is in the state of righteousness as taught and modeled by Jesus Himself, then we might consider something else as valuable. However, by then we would have determined the correctness and validity of the Word of God to be “the way, the truth and the life.”

The third point, I will reflect upon Sunday. It is about the word confusing and its relationship to chaos and nothingness. It deserves its own space, so I am going to allow for that and be praying for a Word of wisdom to share with you. See you then.

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.