Bible Biography: Nimrod
SCRIPTURE - Genesis 10:8,9; 1 Chronicles 1:10.
BIOGRAPHY
Nimrod is said to be a great warrior before the Lord (Genesis 10:8,9). Nimrod had
an extensive kingdom, including the great cities of Babel (Babylon), Erech (Warka),
Accad (Agade), Calneh and all the land of Shinar. This was the location of the tower
of Babel. Hamurabbi, the great law-giver who lived about the time of Abraham, rebuilt
the tower of Babel. He dedicated it to Nimrod (Marduk), the original builder.
The tower was one of the wonders of the ancient world at this time and a focal point
for internationalism. Nimrod's extensive empire and strength combined to make him
a formidable leader and conceivably the first world ruler after the flood. Nimrod's
land also included inner Assyria, called the land of Nimrod in Micah 5:6, between
Nineveh and Calah.
SUMMARY: Genesis 11.
a) The whole world after the Ark landed on Ararat was of one language and speech
(verse 1).
b) After wandering for some while, they came to the plain of Shinar and dwelt there
(verse 2).
c) God had told them to multiply and inhabit the earth (Genesis 9:7).
d) Man, however, remained centralized in the plain of Shinar where they constructed
a tower (verses 3,4).
e) The purpose of the tower was to reach heaven from the earth and to rebel against
God's orders (verse 4).
f) God recognized that the whole of mankind had concentrated, and such concentration
would cause severe problems for their future (verses 5,6).
g) He causes a myriad of languages to come upon man to force them into national
units (verse 7).
h) With the various languages, the people on the plain of Shinar disperse and migrate
to fill the earth (verse 8).
i) The name of the place was called Babel because of the confusion of languages
(verse 9).
LIFE LESSONS
a) Concentration of power causes oppression and degeneracy (Revelation 13:16-18).
b) God promotes nationalism and judges internationalism. There is no such thing
as the brotherhood of man. Man is divided into two groups: believers who are children
of God (Romans 8:14-17), and unbelievers who are children of the devil (John 8:44).
c) God confused tongues (languages) at the Tower of Babel. God gave the gift of
tongues in the early church to give the gospel in foreign languages (1 Corinthians
12-14).
d) Man is always attempting by his own works to pull God down from heaven. God judges
man's works and will not allow man to operate outside His plan (Numbers 22-24).
e) Babel and the Church:
i) Started in unity - the church started in unity being in one place in one accord
(Acts 2:1).
ii) Ambition for power - a power struggle commenced in the church with several bishoprics
attempting to gain supreme power (1 Peter 5:3).
iii) Man-made unity - under the medieval papacy the church was one over a large
area of the known world with one language, LATIN. Religious internationalism.
iv) Confusion of languages - the reformation caused each country to worship and
have the Bible in their own languages. Christian nationalism.