Theology

"These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood." -Genesis 10.32

The genealogies of the Old Testament have been used to try and piece together a timeline in an attempt to date creation and assign an age to the earth. However, this is impossible to do because these genealogies are not exhaustive lists. They do not contain the names of every person in the line of Noah, in the case of Genesis 10, simply the major players so that God can show how He is at work to bring about His plan of redemption.

I read this quote a few weeks ago in the book Genesis in Space and Time,"It is to theology, as such, a matter of entire indifference how long man has existed on the earth." Theology is the study of God, not of man. Therefore, theology does not care at all how long man has walked the earth or even how long the earth has existed. Theology is only concerned with learning who God is, and that is all. The genealogies of the Bible serve to show how God is working through the very people who need Him, to bring about what they need.

God is the focus. God is the subject. The Bible revovles around who God is. It is a book of theology, and theology is the study of God. Everything contained within its pages is meant to teach us about the divine author. As we look at everything it contains, our intention must be to know God more.

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!

Peace be with you

Mighty Before the Lord

"Now Cush became the father of Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, 'Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.'" -Genesis 10.8-9

We don't know much about Nimrod. We only see the name in scripture in two other places. But here in these two verses we see some things that hopefully can be said of each of us.

One we see that Nimrod was "a mighty one on the earth." He was strong and powerful. He wasn't normal or average, but exceptional. He stood out, and people knew who he was. When people spoke of him it was with honor and respect. They knew he was mighty, and spoke of him using that word.

But we see something else, he wasn't just mighty, but he lived with a fear and reverence toward God. He lived before the Lord, and people saw this, and spoke of it as well. Nimrod wasn't just physically impressive, but spiritually as well. People respected his power, but also his love of God. It wasn't something he hid out of shame, but allowed others to see it.

Men, we have been made in the image of God, and given strong, mighty hearts. We are powerful, and we are dangerous, made for battle and leadership. And if we use our power for good, we will be respected, loved, and spoken well of. But there is more to life than getting recognition for ourselves. We live to give glory to God.

When people spoke of Nimrod, they spoke of the God he served. He didn't bring shame to the name of God, but honor. He lived as a man before God, and displayed the powerful masculine heart of God. When people saw Nimrod, no one thought God was a weak sissy. And Nimrod showed that weak sissies aren't the only ones who live passionately for God.

You don't have to be a hunter to be mighty. You can be mighty in anything that you do. You don't have to be a rugged outdoors man, to truly be a man. If you live to serve and always strive to better the lives of others, you will be spoken well of. But it is crucial that you live not for your own glory, if you do, you miss the point. Our lives our given to us so that we might give glory to God. Everything we do is to point others to Him.

So may we be mighty men before the Lord in all that we do. May we live to glorify Him, and better the lives of all we meet.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor