S) "8 Now Cush became the father of Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, 'Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.' 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar."
Genesis 10:8-10 (NASB)
O) My how times change. When I was growing up, I knew the name "nimrod" as slang for a dim-witted person. Turns out, the first Nimrod in recorded history was a mighty one, a tremendous hunter who (apparently) founded Babel (among other cities), and possibly ruled over them as well. When I did a little research, it looks like the name "Nimrod" was used to describe tyrants in the 15th century (although I couldn't find exact sources). Then, in 1932, the cartoon character Bugs Bunny sarcastically refers to his nemesis, Elmer Fudd, as a "poor little Nimrod." While the Bible doesn't exactly say that Nimrod ruled over Babel when they built their tower, he very well could have. If that's the case, maybe "Nimrod" shouldn't be for a person who is a mighty hunter, or a tyrant, or a dimwit, but for a person who foolishly seeks to attain heaven by earthly power.
A) There is a lesson to be learned, here, about carefully researching the language I use. Also, it will continue to serve me well, to know as many details of biblical history as possible - not just for trivial knowledge, but to better and more fully understand the character of my Father God. Last, this serves as an important reminder, that a careless and sarcastic comment can carry a lasting impression. I don't want to vilify the writer of that Bugs Bunny script, but I imagine that the devil is glad, any time some part of the Bible is taken out of context, twisted, forgotten, or misused. I could be wrong, but I imagine more people know the name "Nimrod" from the sarcasm of Bugs Bunny, than the history of the Bible. If I can alter that, even a little, then it must serve some good. Nimrod probably isn't a very good role model (besides, we don't know much else about him), but he probably wasn't a dimwit, either.
P) Father, these are the little details of Your history that I want to learn, so much. Open my eyes to see them, as I read through Your words. Help me to spread this knowledge, even if it's taken as trivial gain. Any opportunity I have to spread Your truth, even in tidbits of historical reference, I'd like to do just that. Let this also be a lesson to me, mostly in the caution of sarcastic words. I don't want to be careless with my speech or writing. Help me to be understood correctly, and help me be conscious of what I say and write. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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