Are You a Nimrod?

Ever been called a "Nimrod"? It’s not exactly a flattering complement. But we get the name Nimrod from the Bible. In fact Nimrod is said to have been a mighty hunter. That doesn’t sound too bad. Maybe a lot of athletes could relate to that... "a mighty hunter". If Nimrod were alive today perhaps he’d be a sprinter, decathlete, bobsled pusher or linebacker...a true stud!

Nimrod was the great grandson of Noah and resided in Shinar, current day Babylon. He organized the building of the tower of Babel. You may recall that. It wasn’t such a high time in the history of God’s people. So yeah, maybe Nimrod wasn’t such a sterling character. In fact one historical source said the hunting prey Nimrod pursued was human!

Ancient historian, Flavius Josephus writing 2000 years ago, "Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God...a bold man, and of great strength of hand. He persuaded them not to ascribe it to God, as if it was through his means they were happy, but to believe that it was their own courage which procured that happiness."

Wow! We have additional information about Nimrod that dates as far back as 7000B.C. from a record found in a story written on clay tablets (Gilgamesh Epic). Turns out that the name "Nimrod" in the Hebrew language means "rebel"...and apparently that’s exactly what Nimrod was-a rebel to God, and he strongly led people away from God.

Look what Josephus wrote about Nimrod, it could be the byline on many a current athlete’s facebook page. "Believe", "Courage".......... "just do it!" "If the mind can conceive it, the body can achieve it." Maybe we should take a second look at our driving psychology’s. They seem more like lines out of Nimrod’s repertoire than what we’d find in the Bible.

I guess the bottom line is, are we trusting in ourselves and living independantly of God and His resources, or is our  faith and confidence and ultimately the object of our worship iin God?

Ps. 2 says, "Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth Worship the LORD with reverence, and rejoice with trembling...how blessed are those who take refuge in Him."