"And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11:4)
I was talking with my brother-in-law over the weekend and was sharing with him an analogy I've come to a realization on about the global economic system that is currently in place. We've created something unprecedented in history - a system so large, so complex, and so intertwined it boggles the mind to reflect on. And it seems to be groaning under it's own weight.
The underlying issue of the Tower of Babel was arrogance. In the story the generation that created the Tower of Babel wanted to make something the world had never seen - a building so large it would create an everlasting name for themselves. Something so great it would be a testament to the greatness of man - but not just man, but to them.
And the current economic climate has created this same arrogance. How many times have you heard someone claim "This is a new economy" or "This time is different" or "We know better than they did the last time they tried!" Or, often in regards to the Founding Fathers of America (or even the Church), "That was then. We know so much more now! Things are different!". Oh the arrogance of it all!
And of course the modern symbol of the Tower of Babel is The Burj Dubai in Dubai(renamed The Burj Khalifa in an attempt to kiss up, er, I mean honor the President of the United Arab Emirates to try to get them to bail the Burj out of debt!) - at about 2,600 feet tall and 160 stories it is the tallest building ever made. And it's largely vacant! At the moment of it's completion the current economic crisis hit and now the Los Angeles Times calls the Burj "the latest ... in [a] string of monuments to architectural vacancy."
But the Burj is nothing compared to the economic system currently in place. Around 1913 was largely the beginning of a grand experiment in paper fiat money and 1971 was the final nails in the coffin when money was permanently and globally separated from Gold and Silver. Thinking they could ignore economic principles and reality certain men and women have tried to create a grand system - thinking, like those who created the Tower of Babel, they will leave a lasting legacy to their greatness! I say certain men and women because we are not all guilty for the potential calamity, we did not all help build this Financial Tower of Babel, but we do all share the same earth and will still be affected regardless.
Unlike the Tower of Babel I do not think this financial crisis is Judgement or Wrath from God, but rather the universal principle of You Reap What You Sow playing out on a global scale. And wishful thinking, ignoring of economic principles, and self-confidence will not prevent the inevitable. Pushed too far the system will collapse under it's own weight. The entire system is intertwined and groaning. All of a sudden we find ourselves in a situation where seemingly unimportant countries actions can reverberate around the globe, sending tremors and shockwaves to the very foundations of it all! ~ And those involved will smile pridefully until the end, clapping each other on the back, congratulating each other on their brilliance.
Unfortunately we all know what comes after Pride. And this time it's Global.
There is no doubt that all World economies are in very real trouble. The Bible predicts a global economic collapse in the future (near the later days). Perhaps that future is during our lifetime.
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