Nimrod – The First World Ruler Against God

Nimrod – The First World Ruler Against God is a simple thought reflection from Genesis 10:9 that shows how Nimrod was the first world dictator in opposition to God.

“He was a powerful hunter in the sight of the Lord. That is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a powerful hunter in the sight of the Lord.”” (Genesis 10:9, HCSB)

As I was reading my Bible lately, I noticed a couple of things about this first world leader. Nimrod was considered a mighty ruler. When you read the verse, you the idea that he was someone who was in God’s favor. That is simply not true. First, the words in the sight means before as in against. That means that Nimrod was a great leader who opposed God. When one understands Nimrod in this way, then the remaining story makes sense.

Nimrod was famous for being the first major ruler opposed to God’s rule. Later, he goes on to start the Babylonian and the Assyrian kingdoms. Both of these kingdoms became world powers who opposed God and His people.

“His kingdom started with Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah,” (Genesis 10:10–11, HCSB)

He also was involved in creating a great temple which was built to reach God. God, realizing this effort to oppose His rule, confuses the people by mixing their language. As a result, the people leave in language and spread throughout the world.

“So from there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth, and they stopped building the city.” (Genesis 11:8, HCSB)

He was the prototype antichrist. The future antichrist will act in the same way to oppose God and try to take over God’s kingdom rule.

“He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s sanctuary, publicizing that he himself is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4, HCSB)

I find it interesting that the same kingdoms which Nimrod established to oppose God’s kingdom rule will be used at the end to again oppose God’s kingdom rule.