The Religion Of Nimrod
Gen 10:8-11, 11:1-9
I. Notice Nimrod’s Rebellion. Vs 8-9
His very name means "rebel or we will rebel".
Notice also the words V9 "before the Lord" This phrase literally means "against God"
Nimrod rebelled against the Lord.
a. He disregarded the past of his family.
His grandfather, and great grandfather along with the others who survived the great flood left a great legacy to their family. Out of all mankind they were the only ones who believed God. They had found grace in the sight of God. After the floods receded from the earth, the first thing that his great grandfather Noah did when he came from the ark was to build an altar, and offer a sacrifice to the Lord. This was something that pleased the Lord.
Nirmod would have nothing to do with the faith of his ancestors. Instead of learning from their experiences, he rebelled against their teaching, and their practices.
Nimrod’s actions became the subject of a saying back in those days...
Look at V 9 Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
When I was rebellious as a child, my mom would say.......Mike you’re as stubborn as a mule or when I tell you something it goes in one ear, and out the other.....but imagine in Nimrod’s day........perhaps they said to a rebellious child.........."You’re as rebellious as Nimrod the mighty hunter who turned against God !"
Can’t you see a bit of the "prodigal" in Nimrod. He wanted to take care of himself. He reminds me of the song of Frank Sinatra...."I did it my way"
b. He disobeyed the principles of God.
God commanded Noah, and his family when they stepped from the ark that they had a responsibility to 9:1 Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. This didn’t just mean that God wanted to earth repopulated, but I believe also that he wanted to replenish the earth with people of faith.
Nimrod was content with making a name for himself. He cared nothing of the kind of faith that his family had before him There is no records in the scripture of Nimrod ever having any children of his own.
c. He disbelieved the promises of God.
In my heart I believe that Nimrod resented what God had done through the flood,(perhaps Nimrod was the first one who asked.....how could a loving God ?????) and he was determined to set himself against God to make certain that they would be able to survive the next flood.
Yet, God had already promised that he would not destroy the earth, and the inhabitants again by flood. The rainbow in the sky was a sign of his promise. Can’t you see Nimrod as a child......his grandparents pointing to a rainbow in the sky.....that’s a sign from God of his promises ! I believe that Nimrod hated rainbows because he was a rebel against God in his heart, and was determined that he didn’t need God or his promises nor his protection !
II. Notice Nimrod’s Rulership. Vs 10-11
In V8 the phrase "mighty one" is "warrior, champion, ruler....and tyrant". Nimrod made quite a name for himself upon the earth. Nimrod’s was a selfish person whose desire was to prove that he did not have to depend upon God as had his family ! He would make it on his own !
The idea of "mighty hunter" shows his great skill, and also his ambition. He was a great sportsman, but his greatest sport may have been that of hunting men. Nimrod was no doubt a conqueror of men.
a. He established a domain.
V10 the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Rather than replenishing the earth, Nimrod is determined to rule over his own domain, and to make it as large and prosperous as possible.
What a kingdom it was ! Nimrod was the founder of the place called Babylon, and surrounding areas which is modern day Iraq.
All the cities mentioned above would become major worship centers for many pagan deities including the "moon god"........."allah"
b. He extended his dominion.
V11. A person whose main ambition, objective, and purpose in life is to be above others, to have more than others is never satisfied. Those who will make pleasure, power, and prestige their pursuit are never content no matter how much they might gain.
Nimrod is not content with what he has established but goes forth now to Assyria where he builds cities in Nineveh, Rehoboth, Calah, and Resen. These cities also became worship centers for pagain deities.
c. He excercised his domination. Chapter 11
Having gained many followers, and having conquered others, he engages them in his plans, and usurps his power over them. He has a plan, and his plan requires people ! The person who would be dictator can only be dictator if the people below him are willing to follow. Nimrod had quite a following !
III. Notice Nimrod’s Religion 11:3-4
As I said earlier, Nimrod had been given quite a legacy to carry forward, but he rebelled against it, and it would have no part of it. His family had found grace in the eyes of the Lord, but he prefers trying to make it on his own. His ambition......."to make a name for himself"
Grace glorifies the Lord while religion glorifies the man !
Notice the drastic contrast between Noah & Nimrod !
Noah(Nimrod’s great grandfather built a ark so that his family might be saved !)
Nimrod built a tower so that he could make a name !
We see these two attitudes still present and at work in our society today.
Some are concerned about the family structure, and the salvation of there family...children.
While others are only concerned about the making of a name..........
Noah followed the blueprint of God ! Nimrod had plans of his own.
a. His religion was secular.
11:3 And they said one to another,.........let us make brick......
11:4 And they said........let us build us a city
11:4 and let us make us a name.
Nimrod may have actually been the first secular humanist ! It was all about him ! It was all about them !
God comes down to man that we might be lifted up to him. Nimrod, and his religion says let build our own way. Let’s do it on our own !
While his great grandfather Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, Nimrod preferred making a name for himself, and getting himself to heaven independent of God.
b. His religion was sinful.
We don’t often think of religion as sinful. In fact there is a common saying........"It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as believe something". Listen folks, that is one of the most foolish concepts in the world. It is also what one of the most destructive. What we believe is important because it influences our behavior, and most important it decides where we will spend eternity !
Nimrod’s religion was sinful because it was utter rebellion against God.
c. His religion was sympathetic.
Nimrod’s religion was the beginning of the ecumenical movement.
It is the religion that prevails in our society today. It is a religion that says let’s put aside our beliefs and all come together. It is the religion that will embrace any type of belief, and any form of behavior.
We have talked about this on several occassions......the most politcially correct term of our day is "tolerance". It is a word used and spoken in our kindergarten classes, from pulpits across America, from the sidewalks, and from the governmental bldgs in Washington !
I want you to understand tonight where I’m coming from. We should be loving people. We should be careful so that our attitude does not come across as being hateful, and bigoted. Yet, at the same stand we must take a stand for what is right, and against what is wrong. We can be sympathetic to the plight of sinners, and to those of other beliefs, but to embrace their beliefs, and behavior is to put a blessing on the very thing that may lead to their destruction....both here, and in eternity !
Nimrod’s religion is the harlot mentioned in Rev 17
The true church is one that is a bride without spot, and without blemish.
The World’s church is one that is a harlot. It is filled with blasphemy, abominations and filthiness !
V5. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Notice V 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Two dangerous attitudes in the church.........
Don’t offend anyone !
Don’t get involved !
IV. Notice Nimrod’s Ruin ! 11:5-8
a. The Lord Saw. V5
And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
The Lord sees, and knows everything, but when the scripture speaks of the Lord coming down to see for himself, it denotes the seriousness of the matter !
There is something we better understand, and do so clearly. God knows what going on both on this earth, and in each of our hearts.
He knows whether our religion is sincere or whether it’s a substitute.
b. The Lord Spoke V6
He spoke out against their ecumenicalism.
.......the people is one, and they have one language
He spoke out against their enterprise.
.......this they begin to do:
He spoke out against their evil.
........nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Compare to Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
c. The Lord Scattered V8
The phrase "scattered them abroad" is "to dash into pieces"
The Lord dealth with them by confounding their languages where they could no longer communicate, and by dispersing them.
d. The Lord Shattered V8
...and they left off to build the city.
The work of man shall come to nought ! The religion of man is doomed. God shall one day scatter, and shatter.
Compare how God deals with the great harlot Babylon in Rev 18
