Nimrod was the son of Noah’s grandson Cush. Genesis 10:9 states that he was "a mighty hunter before the Lord." By reading this passage, you may be given the impression that Nimrod was a good man, but he was not. If he had been the scriptures would have said "a mighty hunter of the Lord." Some Scholars claim that he married his mother.
Verse 10 states that he went into the land of Shinar, (Mesopotamia or Babylon) and founded four kingdoms. The names of these kingdoms were Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh. Afterwards he went into Asshur, (Assyria) and founded Nineveh, Rehoboth, and Calah.
At this time in Biblical History, all the people of the world lived close together, and spoke one language. The city of Babel was the heart of civilization. In Genesis 11, the people decided to build a great tower in Babel. The tower would serve as temple to their strange gods. They also wanted to stand back and say, "Look what we have done with our own hands." While they were building the tower, God came down to Earth and confused their language. The construction of the tower stopped and the people of Earth scattered.
Many Bible scholars believed that the people were divided into three main groups.
They base this on Noah’s three sons, Shem, Japheth, and Ham. The descendants of Shem go into to Asia, Japheth’s settle in Europe, and Ham’s in Africa
After God scattered the people, a group at Babel remained. In Genesis 14, Amraphel of Shinar is one of the Kings who allies with Chedorlamer, King of Elam. They go to war against Sodom, Gomorah, Admah, Zeboiium, and Zoar. This is the first war recorded in the Bible. Some Scholars believe that Amraphel was an ancestor to Nebuchadnezzar.
While this war is taken place, Abraham’s nephew Lot is taken captive. When Abraham heard of this, he led three hundred and eighteen of his arm servants into battle. They kill the captors, rescue Lot, and all his possessions.
The area eventually became know as Babylon. The city is not mentioned again until II Chronicles 33:11. Manasseh was King of Judah, and Babylon belonged to the Assyrian Empire.
Here are some more interesting facts. The definition of Babel means confusion. The word we know today as babble or babbling derived from the city of Babel. After the flood, Babel was the place where paganism began. For example, Nimrod worshiped the sun god. We are more familiar with its Greek name, Apollo.
My next article will be about Babylon and Judah.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
A Wicked King Repents
Most of the evil Kings in the Old Testament never repented or turned to God. One of the few who did was Manasseh, King of Judah. His life shows that God will forgive the most wicked of people.
The story of his life is found twice in the Old Testament; II Kings Chapter 21, and II Chronicles, Chapter 33. Manasseh was only twelve years old when he succeeded his father Hezekiah as King. He served as Israel’s King for fifty-five years, the longest reign in the history of Judah and Israel.
One of the first things he did, as King, was to rebuild the altars of baal that his father had destroyed. Idols were put in the courtyards and inside the temple. Year’s earlier God had promised Solomon and David that he would always protect them, if they keep his covenant and laws. By setting up idols to strange gods, Manasseh had broken this covenant. Also as King he forced his subjects to make sacrifices to the idols. He made his own sons pass through a sacrificial fire. This is one of the most horrid acts ever recorded in the Bible.
Prophets came to warn Manasseh that he would face God’s wrath. Not only would he suffer, but also Assyria would invade Judah, as Israel had been years earlier. But Manasseh did not heed to these warnings. Instead of seeking council form the prophets, he sought the advice of witches, warlock, and sorcerers.
One day these warning were fulfilled and the Assyrian Army attacked Jerusalem. Manasseh was captured and was put into chains. As he was being dragged away, Manasseh repented of his sins, and sought the Lord’s help.
We don’t really know how Manasseh got his freedom. It only states that he was allowed to return to Jerusalem. Once restored to the throne, Manasseh had all the pagan altars destroyed. He then commanded his subjects to bring sacrifice to God only. The last thing that is record about Manasseh is that he humbled himself before God.
At his death his son Amon became King. Unfortunately Amon was a wicked man, who never sought the Lord. But two years into his reign his servants assassinated him, and his eight-year-old son, Josiah succeeded him. Josiah became one of the most godly men to serve as King.
We as humans have a tendency, not to forgive people. But God will forgive the worst of humanity. The life of Manasseh is an example of this.
The story of his life is found twice in the Old Testament; II Kings Chapter 21, and II Chronicles, Chapter 33. Manasseh was only twelve years old when he succeeded his father Hezekiah as King. He served as Israel’s King for fifty-five years, the longest reign in the history of Judah and Israel.
One of the first things he did, as King, was to rebuild the altars of baal that his father had destroyed. Idols were put in the courtyards and inside the temple. Year’s earlier God had promised Solomon and David that he would always protect them, if they keep his covenant and laws. By setting up idols to strange gods, Manasseh had broken this covenant. Also as King he forced his subjects to make sacrifices to the idols. He made his own sons pass through a sacrificial fire. This is one of the most horrid acts ever recorded in the Bible.
Prophets came to warn Manasseh that he would face God’s wrath. Not only would he suffer, but also Assyria would invade Judah, as Israel had been years earlier. But Manasseh did not heed to these warnings. Instead of seeking council form the prophets, he sought the advice of witches, warlock, and sorcerers.
One day these warning were fulfilled and the Assyrian Army attacked Jerusalem. Manasseh was captured and was put into chains. As he was being dragged away, Manasseh repented of his sins, and sought the Lord’s help.
We don’t really know how Manasseh got his freedom. It only states that he was allowed to return to Jerusalem. Once restored to the throne, Manasseh had all the pagan altars destroyed. He then commanded his subjects to bring sacrifice to God only. The last thing that is record about Manasseh is that he humbled himself before God.
At his death his son Amon became King. Unfortunately Amon was a wicked man, who never sought the Lord. But two years into his reign his servants assassinated him, and his eight-year-old son, Josiah succeeded him. Josiah became one of the most godly men to serve as King.
We as humans have a tendency, not to forgive people. But God will forgive the worst of humanity. The life of Manasseh is an example of this.
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