Where 'Are' You in Time?
'' You read the letter the mailman delivered as you pass the yogurt shop on your way to the pharmacy. Your friend writes of the tense Mideast political situation. Has it always like this? - for 1,400 years.
'' You stop to use your ivory comb made by an Indian artist. You look at your Afghan locket of Lapis Lazuli stone sold by a caravan that traveled on the 1,500 year old Persian Highway. You pass yet another drunk; 40% of all the grain is used to make beer. As your cross the brown, muddy canal on the ferryboat, you muse that its wood came from over 500 miles away.
'' You privately fear that your city's ruler of 200,000 is too proud. He erected a great Temple pyramid 200x200 ft and 70 ft high. You can see it from 20 miles away. - and every single brick has his name on it.
'' Your friend writes of his worry about war and the draft. He does not know that the Prince of Peace, the Savior, will be born 2,100 years later. He also does not know of another man born in his grandsons' time, in your city, Ur. His name will be Abraham.
Why Study This?
'' We are studying about the Sumerians to appreciate Abraham's culture, better understand who he was, and to see what kind of man God called forth to do His will. We will learn the history of Sumer, what was taught in its schools, Sumerian literature and religion, and finally Sumer's fall.
The Dirt on the Sumerians
'' The land of Sumer is now a part of Southern Iraq. Before about 5,500 B.C., the land was under water. The soil was somewhat alkaline, but great for wheat and barley with irrigation. Now the farmland is too salty due to the evaporated irrigation water of millennia.
Before' Sumer
'' Digging below Sumerian cities, one finds layers from floods that partially destroyed them. Below that is no occupation until 4000 BC. These people, called Ubaidians, strangely vanished.
'' Sumerians claimed a flood destroyed everyone except the man Ziusudra and his family. The details of what happened are similar to Noah's flood in Genesis 6-8. However why Sumerian gods sent the flood to destroy man, who made too much noise, is different.
'' The Sumerians said they sailed to Sumer from a land called Dilmun. We do not know where Dilmun is; it could be Bahrain or northwestern India. According to Carbon-14 dating, they arrived ~3500 B.C. to build the world's first civilization.
The' Golden' Age' of' Sumer
'' The first known empire was forged by Kish in 2900 BC.. King Mesilim ruled over all of Sumer at ~2500 BC.. Sumer's population peaked then with 2 million in 45 cities. Gilgamesh ruled ~2400 BC.. Sargon the Great of Akkad conquered Sumer in 2335 B.C., and Ur-Nammu of Ur threw off the Gutians in 2100 B.C..
What Else Was Happening?
'' By Abraham's time ~2000 B.C., China's first dynasty, Xia, began, one could peer amid many Egyptian monuments, and the Harappans in Pakistan were very advanced; they even had toilets. Europeans built huge stone megaliths then.
The' Edubba
'' A key to this civilization's success was their Sumer School, called the Edubba. Sumerian boys (not girls) went to school from sunrise to sunset. Students were beaten for wrong answers. Likewise when they acted up teachers raised cane too. Boys learned writing, arithmetic, biology, and accounting.
Sumerian' Writing
'' The world's first writing was ~1,200 years before Abraham; thus he might have been literate. Besides a symbol's original meaning, a symbol also meant different words that sounded the same. If this was done in English, the character for sun also would stand for son. Perhaps this explains why Sum think all righting is punishing.
' ~30,000 Sumerian tablets have been found including 4K in Uruk, ~3000 B.C. and 20K in Mari. It used to be taught scripture was passed down orally because there was no writing then. Now, we know that men wrote 1,800 years before the Bible, and there is no reason why it could not have been written down. Some still believe the oral theory and apparently ignore all writing on Sumer, - ancient and modern.
Sumerian' Arithmetic
'' The next time you divide the number of seconds by 60 to get minutes or worry about 360 degree circles, you can blame it on the Sumerians' numbering system of 1, 10, 60, 600, 3600, 36,000 etc. The Sumerians had a 360 day year based on the moon. The Old Testament also generally has a 360-day year.
Sumerian' Biology
'' The Sumerians classified life into four categories. All birds, bats, and many flying insects were called winged fowl. If the winged fowl in Gen 1:21-22 reflect Sumerian biology, then they are not only birds.
Accounting' for' Commerce
'' Grain and the 50 kinds of fish in the mighty Tigris and Euphrates rivers were important exports. In Gen 15:2 Abraham had a banker (steward) from Damascus named Eliezar. In addition to what was mentioned in "Where In Time are You?", Sumerians imported obsidian and mirrors from modern day Turkey and wares from Arabia and Egypt. Sumerian had 200 different words for sheep.
Speaking' Sumerian
'' Sumerians did not have the f, j, ch, or v sounds. Like the French, Sumerians often did not pronounce the final consonants. Thus their land was written as "Sumer" but pronounced "Sum." As languages sometimes shift S to Sh, one gets the word "Shem" which was one of Noah's three sons in Gen 6:10.
Sumerian Literature
'' Sumerian had ~600 characters. An important novel was the 3,500 line Gilgamesh Epic. These legends of a real man, Gilgamesh, are reminiscent of legends of Davy Crockett and Ulysses. Besides talking to gods, slaying a monster, and trying to rescue his friend from hell, Gilgamesh talked with Ziusudra who survived the great flood. This Epic was translated into Hittite, Egyptian, and Akkadian.
'' There are also parallels between Genesis (~1450 BC.) and the creation story found at the Sumerian city of Mari (~2300 BC.).
The Sumerian' Religion
'' The Sumerians were a very religious people with over 3000 different idols. There were four chief gods of heaven, air, earth, and water. Sumerians first believed the heaven god was most powerful but later believed the air god was greatest. How do you think these intelligent people could develop this elaborate religion with no basis in fact but just hot air?
'' An important goddess was Inanna, Queen of Heaven. Shulgi, Ur-Nammu's son, built a Temple to her in Abraham's time. This "nice" idol of love had her own husband, Tammuz (or Dumuzi), dragged off to hell. Ezekiel in Ezekiel 8:14 is shocked that some Jews engaged in the custom of "weeping for Tammuz." Inanna later became widely worshipped as Ishtar or Ashtarte. She was also prominent in Babylon.
'' Sumerians believed in a rather depressing life after death, even for the good and mighty. They only human sacrifice was when kings died, sometimes servants were killed and buried with them.
Sumer's Sons
'' In Gen 10:22 the five listed sons of Shem are Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. (Of course Shem likely sired daughters and other sons too.)' Elam is the nation east of Sumer. From Asshur came the Assyrians. From Aram came the Aramaeans, who lived in Syria. Abraham came from the Arphaxad branch of Shem.
The' Sack' of' Ur
'' Between 2004 and 1950 B.C. the royal city of Ur was sacked by the Elamites. Its inhabitants were killed or enslaved. What would have happened if Abraham had not obeyed God and left Ur?
'' In Gen 14:1 Elam and Chaldea (Shinar) were allies, so this was after Elam sacked Ur. "Arioch of Ellasar" may be King Eriaku of Larsa.
The End of Sumer Time
'' Gen 15:7 says Abraham lived in Ur of the Chaldeans. Before Genesis was written, the Akkadian king Hammurabi of Babylonia conquered Sumer ~1760 BC.. The name of the combined lands was Chaldea. Just like Greek culture was copied and preserved by the Romans, the Sumerian culture lived on with the Chaldeans.
To Dig up More Info
Kramer, Samuel Noah The Sumerians U. of Chicago 1963.
TimeFrame 3000-1500 BC: The Age of the God-Kings Time-Life 1987.
Worshipping Other Gods
'' All of Deuteronomy 13 talks of people who want to follow other gods. Here are how disobedient Jews worshipped Sumerian gods in the Old Testament.
' Ezekiel 8:14-15 shows some Jews mourning for Tammuz (Dumuzi in Sumerian). He was a Sumerian idol associated with shepherding. He was the husband of Inanna, the goddess of love. Inanna daringly went down to the underworld where she was killed. After she was revived again in the underworld, she could not live on earth again unless she chose another deity to take her place in hell. The third god she visited was her husband, who was not missing her at all. So, she choose to send him to hell. A custom was for women to weep for Tammuz, and this is what the faithless Jews did.
'' In Jeremiah 44:16-26 the women burned incense to the Queen of Heaven. This was Inanna again. Inanna was also called Ashtarte, Ishtar, Ashtar, Ashtoreth, and Asherah. People worshipped her in Canaan, Phoenicia, Sumer, Babylonia, Assyria, and sadly, even Israel.
'' Asherah poles were used for worshipping her. The Jews learned this practice from the Canaanites and Phoenicians who said Asherah was the wife of their chief god, Baal. The poles to her are mentioned in; Deut 16:21, 1 Kings 14:23, 15:13, 16:23, 2 Kings 13:7, 17:10,16, 18:4, 21:3,7, 23:7, 23:13-15, 2 Chr 14:3, 15:16, 17:6, 19:3, 24:18, 31:1, 33:3,19,' and 34:3,4. Even Solomon built high places for Ashtoreth in 2 Ki 23:13.
The Source of Western Astrology
'' The Sumerians were not very good astronomers, unlike the later Babylonians. However Sumerian astrology formed the basis for Babylonian (Chaldean) astrology. This formed the basis for astrology in Greek and Roman times, and this forms the basis for western astrology today.
'' In Genesis 11:4 all the people who lived in Shinar (Babylonia and Sumeria), wanted to build the tower of Babel "whose top may reach unto heaven." Now if reaching the sky was the goal, they would have built the tower atop mountains a few hundred miles north, not on the plain. Many think the object was to reach the heavens in a different way - through astrology.
Is Astrology Wrong?
'' Yes! People did it in Bible times, and it is wrong for two reasons. First no one should worship the sun, moon, or stars according to 2 Ki 17:16, 23:5, and 2 Chr 33:3. Some astrology is a worship of stars as powerful forces.
'' Even astrology that does not worship the stars is a means of divination or foretelling future events and potentials apart from God. That is condemned in Lev 19:26, 22:27, Deut 18:11-14, 2 Ki 17:17, and 2 Chr 33:6. Studying the stars in astronomy is not wrong, but when the stars become objects of worship or a means of telling the future they are a means of evil for evildoers.
What About Oriental Astrology?
'' Though western astrology is wrong, the Bible writers were ignorant of eastern astrology, which is based on the year you were born. Is that wrong too?
'' Oriental astrology has its origins in Buddhism. The animals are in the order they allegedly visited Buddha. Do you think Christians should do something that indirectly remembers and honors Buddha?
'' The Bible speaks against divination, which is trying to predict the facts and tendencies of the future. All superstition and divination is wrong. It is unbecoming of a Christian to even dabble in superstition. If God controls your destiny, can you be satisfied with that?
Evidence of Falsehood
'' Here is one clever argument Hippolytus, an early church bishop and disciple of Irenaeus, gave to show the absurdity of astrology. "...how was it that so many myriads of the Barbarians that fought with the Greeks at Marathon or Salamis were simultaneously slaughtered?' For unquestionably there was not the same horoscope, in the case at all events, of them all." (The Refutation of All Heresies Book IV Chapter V.) Now one would find that all these warriors had different birthdays and different horoscopes. Their astrological predictions differ greatly, yet they all had the same fate at the same time. Maybe astrology does not work in situations where it can be tested.
'' A believer in astrology might answer that horoscopes can be different if the birth (or conception) time or birth place is off by just slightly. Hippolytus thought of that too. He claimed that astrology by its own claims is "unstable." Thus if the moment of conception is unknown, or if the moment of birth cannot known reliably enough to predict the future of those dead barbarians, then it would not be reliable enough to predict our future, even if true.
'' A similar, more modern illustration is that in modern hospitals it is easy for two babies to be born at almost exactly the same time in almost exactly the same place. Does that mean they have the same or similar fates?' I doubt it. If a matter of milliseconds and feet produce a totally different fate, then astrology is indeed "unstable" and useless.
A Minister's Story
'' Are astrology and fortune telling harmless things to amuse foolish people?' We cannot assume so based on the following account I heard.
'' A minister once preached on astrology to say it was wrong. To prove his point, he told his congregation that he even was going to have his horoscope cast (future predicted), just to prove that astrology was worthless. However, the predictions started all coming true!' He became scared and realized that he sinned. Only after his repenting did the rest of the predictions not come true. When you either seriously or else in jest open yourself up to letting Satan guide your future, you never know what the Father of Lies might do.
But The Wise Men Followed the Star
'' If astrology is so wrong, some ask, "Then what about the Magi who followed the star in the gospels?" A few answer that the Wise Men may not have been astrologers; God may have just said to them, "follow that star." However, Persian Magi were known to practice astrology.
'' A second answer was first given by Tertullian ~147 A.D. The Magi were in fact astrologers. Just as they were told not to go home by the way they came, they were not to travel the rest of their lives the way they were.
' God uses even man's ungodly actions to reveal Himself and accomplish His will. If you have doubts about this, just read Genesis 50:19, Exodus 9:15-16, and Romans 8:28. As Joseph told his brothers, "you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good." Do not blame God that he told us not to practice divination and then brought diviners to Christ. - God can do whatever He wants.
' However, God told us not to have contact with astrology. We are responsible to obey God based on what we know.
So What's Your Sign?
'' People sometimes want to know your astrological sign. They think they can tell a lot about a person a few away by stars millions of miles distant. They think your sign effects your destiny. When someone once asked me my sign, I told her. I am under the sign of the cross. My destiny is determined by Jesus Christ.
'' I hope you refuse to even think that astrology, Ouija boards, and fortune telling will affect your future. A lie can only affect your destiny if you allow it. With or without demons behind astrology,' your life is safe when it is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:3). If you ever doubt this, please read Romans 8:35-39.
A Fable of Idolatry
' Once there was a young boy who believed in the One God though his father was an idolmaker. One day he went to the warehouse and saw that vandals had smashed his father's idols. His father came and asked what happened. The young boy said the idols fought and destroyed each other. His father told him how stupid he was, because idols can neither talk, move, nor fight. The little boy replied that if he knew that, then why did he worship them?
To Sumerize
' The Sumerians worshipped over 3,000 idols. They trusted their idols to give them good fortune. They thought the gods needed man too; after the flood the gods were starving because people were not burning sacrifices.
'' Today some have the same attitude. They "do their part" for God so God will "do his part" for them. God never approved of this spiritual barter. In fact, James 4:3 says God will not help us with our wrongful pleasures. The Lord does not want part of you; He wants all of you. However, what He gives in return, eternal life with Him, is far greater than everything we could give Him.
Where Are You in Time?
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'' You want to visit ancient sites so you travel to see the great pyramids. You stop and marvel that people made these 2,700 years ago. When most of the world was primitive, 100,000's of people were building these. Where and when are you? You are visiting Egypt when Jesus was a baby!
The Nile River
'' One cannot fathom Egypt without crossing the Nile. Egypt is all barren desert, except for the thin, very fertile strip of mud along the banks of this river of life. Every spring the Nile floods and deposits a fresh layer of rich soil.
' Egyptians desired to live and die along the Nile; few wanted to venture elsewhere. Its source was a mystery until modern times. This longest river in the world starts at Lake Victoria in Central Africa and runs for 3,470 miles. Egyptians worshipped the Nile, but few stopped to think of its true source: the One Creator of all.
No Egyptian Flood Story
'' Nearly every Mideast culture except the Egyptians' records a flood that nearly destroyed mankind. A legend says Egypt was underwater when the first Egyptians sailed to their new home. Over time river deposits built it up. According to geologists, the Nile River valley was not habitable until ~6,000 B.C. Not only did Egyptians survive by the Nile, Egypt itself came from its mud.
The Earliest Egyptians
'' Among the earliest Egyptians were the Badarian culture, which lasted from 4400-3800 BC. ~4000 B.C. the culture changed, and the new culture is called the White Painted Pottery Culture. The total population was estimated at 200K until a famine ~3500 BC..
'' ~3100 B.C., only 400 years after the first Sumerians, the Egyptians organized themselves into cities. With this advance, the population of Egypt mushroomed to two million. There was a 7 year famine in 2700 B.C., and there was a mild depopulation ~2100 BC., so when Abraham visited Egypt, he may been more welcome than usual because the land was less crowded.
The Pyramids
'' Once Egyptians lived in cities, they built many pyramids for their kings, called Pharaohs. These massive tombs were to protect the mummies and riches inside, but they were so conspicuous they often failed to deter grave robbers.
'' Why were pyramids first called pyramids? One theory is that pyramids reminded Greek travelers of the wheaten cakes they ate back home called "pyramidia". Maybe they had a rye sense of humor, or maybe the pyramids gave them food for thought.
'' It generally took a lifetime to build a pyramid for a Pharaoh. Perhaps sometimes they would take the family out for a trip and see the progress on their tomb.
'' There are a great number of pyramids. The Step Pyramid was built ~2,700 B.C. for Pharaoh Zoser. The famous sphinx is 240 feet long and 66 feet high.
'' The Great Pyramid, built by Pharaoh Cheops, is the largest at 490 feet high and a base of 31 acres. According the J.M. White Everyday Life in Ancient Egypt Dorset Press 1963 (p.45) Napoleon calculated that it had enough stone to build a wall around France 10 feet high and 1 foot thick. It had 2,300,000 blocks of stone, each averaging two and a half tons.
Cleanliness, and Pride and Prejudice
'' The Egyptians were among the most hygienic of the ancient people. Men and sometimes women shaved their heads. They thought they were the most advanced culture on earth. Sometimes, they were right.
'' One thing Egyptians could not stand was red hair. If someone was an unfortunate redhead, they would shave their scalp. Shaved heads were not that uncommon among men and women anyway. Now red hair is neither more nor less good, clean, or beautiful than non-red hair. Are there prejudices you have? How do you think God feels about those?
The Soles of the Egyptians
'' Egyptians often drew pictures of an enemy on the bottom of their sandals. That way they could walk on their enemies all day. Today we might laugh at their superstition to defeet their enemies, but are we not "walking like Egyptians" on the inside when we hold a grudge?
An Egyptian Timetable
Egypt was independent from 3200-1085 BC. except when the Hyksos and their chariots conquered it. The Pharaoh who "knew not Joseph" might have been a Hyksos.
_''' '''''' ''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''''''''''''''.
DATES''''''''''''' PERIOD'' DYNASTIES
3200-2700 BC.' Early Period''''' 1- 2
2700-2300 BC.' Old Kingdom'''' ' 3- 6
2300-2050 BC. 1st Intermed.''' 7-11
2050-1575 BC.' Middle Kingdom 11-12
1775-1575 BC. Hyksos Era'''''' 13-17
1575-1085 BC.' New Kingdom''' 18-20_
When was the Exodus?
'' There are two theories: 1446 BC. and ~1260 BC. The Pharaoh for the earlier date was Thutmose III (1476-1425 BC.). He is called "The Napoleon" of Egypt, because he waged 17 military campaigns. There is some evidence that his oldest son died. Rameses II (1290-1244 BC.) was Pharaoh at the later time. He was Egypt's greatest builder. Egyptian records complain the "Habiru" (Hebrews?) were overrunning Canaan ~1400-1300 BC.
Egyptian Religion
'' The Egyptians worshipped over 2,000 idols. They cared more about death and preservation than any other culture. They had some funny ideas though. They put the vital organs in separate jars, and they scraped the brain out. It did not seem too important.
'' Egyptian gods acted almost as bad as humans with jealousies, drunkenness, affairs, and even murder. Their religion had few moral aspects; but at least they had no human sacrifice and no religious prostitution.
'' The Egyptian religion was mostly a barter system. People would sacrifice to their idols, and their idols would (or should) do things for them. The Egyptians had so little awe for their gods that when the idols seemed slow to help, they withheld offerings and sometimes even beat the statues of their gods!
'' An interesting parallel is found in Exodus 7-11. Each of the ten plagues could be viewed as signs against a major Egyptian idol.
The Book of the Dead
'' A central book in Egyptian religion was the Book of the Dead. It was not so much read as kept for funeral occasions -kind of like some people treat the Bible today. It was buried with the mummy to aid them in their perilous journey in the afterlife. Egyptologists have a large number of these pagan parchments.
Akhenaton, An Egyptian Monotheist
Akhenaton was a most unusual Pharaoh with a most unusual idea. The Egyptians worshipped many idols, but Akhenaton believed there was only one God that should be worshipped, the sun god. Perhaps he learned of the Hebrews, but there is no evidence of where he got this idea. Anyway, he tried in vain to abolish idol worship. After he died, the Egyptians revived their idol worship and tried to erase his name from all his monuments.
'' Some see a parallel between Akhenaton and Abraham. Akhenaton did not leave his people, and even a Pharaoh could not make the Egyptians reject their polytheism.
Egypt's Relatives
'' "Mizraim" is the Hebrew word for Egypt. Gen 9:6 says that Ham was the father of Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. Cushites lived in northern Sudan. Put is probably Ethiopia or southern Arabia. The only one of Mizraim's offspring we recognize in Gen 10:13 is the Lehabites are very likely Libyans. Prophecies about Egypt are given in Isa 31, Jer 46, and Ezek. 29-30.
Egypt and Josiah
'' Egypt was important in Jewish history. The godly king Josiah was killed in battle in 608 BC. against Pharaoh Neco's army in 2 Chr 35:20-25 and 2 Kings 23:29-30. Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah. His death was tragic, for the kings after him were evil. It was senseless, because four years later Egypt's army marched to its destruction by the Babylonians at Carchemish anyway.
'' All Judah suffered because Josiah gave his life doing a thing God never said to do. Do others suffer if you spend your time doing what God never said to do?
To Dig up' More' Info
TimeFrame 3000-1500 BC : The Age of the God-Kings Time-Life Books 1987.
Casson, Lionel Ancient Egypt Time-Life Books 1965.
White, Jon Manchip Everyday Life in Ancient Egypt Dorset Press 1963.
Romant, Bernard translated by J. Smith Life in Egypt in Ancient Times Minerva 1978/81.
'' The Egyptian
civilization was impressive, and many have wanted to copy parts of their
culture. It sounds mysterious for to say a religion came from the ancient and
mighty Egyptians, but generally an ancient Egyptian would not recognize these
organizations at all.
The New Age and Pyramid Power
'' The New Age religions claim roots in the Egyptian religion. (They claim roots in most religions though.)' One of their claims is that pyramids over and around you will help you, your health, and your luck. Some people sleep under pyramids. Now Egyptians were mighty proud of the their pyramids, but they never claimed that; that is a novel New Age idea. Egyptian pyramids were to house dead people; the New Age practice of sleeping and living under the shape of a tomb is simply a superstition.
Afterlife
'' The Egyptians had a hope of a pleasant afterlife for the pure and righteous. The bad people's souls were eaten by a monster. The idea that people should be good because of a judgment in the afterlife was good. Unfortunately, they believed they could do that by their own merit. Rather than man's nature being good or bad, their nature could be whatever they wanted it to be.
'' Many people today, including Christians, correctly believe their lives will be judged. However, almost every other religion except true Christianity believes man himself can merit heaven. After they die, many people want to go where they deserve to go. If only they knew where that place was!
The Rosicrucians
'' The Rosicrucians are still another small sect that believe their origins came from the Egyptians. They are concerned about Cosmic Consciousness and mysteries of the universe.
The Masons
'' Like the Rosicrucians, the Masons also claim they originated with the ancient Egyptians. There is what is called a "fraternal organization" today that claims its origin is with the Egyptians. It is called the Masons. Shriner's Circus is run by an offshoot of them. Mason organizations for youth are DeMolay for boys, and Rainbow Girls for girls. DeMolay and Shriners do not admit blacks; instead there are segregated black sister organizations. Masons used to be against Catholics and Jews, but they may not be anymore.
'' Masons say they are not a religious organization except that they do believe in a god, common to Christians, Jews, Moslems, and all men. They claim they originated in ancient Egypt. As we saw from the last issue, religiously that is not a good pedigree.
'' There are two key things wrong with masons, which make it wrong for Christians to be masons. First, they are a secret society with secret oaths. See Matt 10:26-27, Luke 12:2-3 2 Cor 4:2, and Eph 5:11-13. Second, while the lower orders of Masonry are not overtly religious, the upper orders are. Since masons in the lower orders do not know what goes on with the upper orders, they may be sincere when they deny there is a religious aspect. They claim to have a Melchizedek Priesthood, which only Christ has in Hebrews 7.
'' Masons take secret blood oaths, such as "I would rather have my throat slit from ear to ear than reveal these secrets." Then they make a sign with their thumb across their throat. - Nice stuff. Remember, Jesus said in Matt 6:24 that no man can serve two masters. Whether it be money or some other, the words are still true. Unfortunately some true Christians try to be Christians and masons too. These Christians should not be allowed to lead in the church. Can you imagine having a Christian leader who claims to have a (non-Christian) Melchizedek Priesthood and has sworn secret oaths to a non-Christian organization with religious rituals?
'' Joseph Smith, who founded the Mormon Church, was a mason briefly. The Mormon Church also has secret handshakes (the same ones), Melchizedek Priesthood, and until 1990 their secret Temple Ceremony had similar blood oaths, complete with the thumb across the throat. While Mormons says they have Jesus' secret teachings, Jesus said He had no secret teachings in John 18:20.
'' Mormons are now discouraged from being Masons, presumably so that the two groups will not know they have each other's secrets.
'' Many early Americans were Masons, including George Washington. The symbol on the dollar bill of the pyramid with the eye on top is a Masonic symbol.
Mormons and an Egyptian Scroll
'' Mormons are a religion founded by Joseph Smith. They claim to be Christian, but they are not. They believe good Mormon males will become exactly like God is now. They believe Jesus and Satan are brothers. They believe you are "saved by grace, after all you can do." When they die, they want to go where they are worthy - if they only knew where that was!
'' Anyway, Mormons claim to have four scriptures or standard works. They are The Bible (our Bible), the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Within the Pearl of Great Price is a book called The Book of Abraham. This is where Egypt is tied in.
' In 1835, soon after the Mormon Church started, a man was traveling nearby with an exhibit of Egyptian mummies and scrolls found buried with them. Joseph Smith looked at the Egyptian scrolls and exclaimed that these were written in the same language as the Book of Mormon. Furthermore, he said these were written by the Abraham of the Bible. The Mormon Church promptly bought the whole exhibit, Smith claimed to have supernaturally translated these scrolls, and the result is the Mormon Book of Abraham. Besides the few pages of text, it also has three pictures that were found with the scroll.
'' His translating of the scrolls would be a miracle if it was true. At that time nobody could read Egyptian, so nobody could say if he was right or wrong. That situation has changed though.
The Verdict
'' Today we can read Egyptian. We have four pieces of evidence to test Smith's ability and honesty: the scrolls themselves, the Mormon handwritten copies of the Book of Abraham with some matching hieroglyphs in the margin, the pictures (both original and in the Book of Abraham), and Joseph Smith's Book Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar where he tried to explain "his" Egyptian.
'' Now we can compare. If Joseph Smith is right, perhaps we should all join one of the 100 or so different Mormon groups. If Smith is wrong, no seeker of the truth should belong to a group that believes a book that is a lie.
'' So was Smith's translating right or not? His translation was actually laughable. He translated an average of 110 words per real word. The pictures though, are the funniest part.
'' The scroll was actually a part of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, which was commonly buried with mummies. Egyptologist Dr. A.B. Mercer said, "Any pupil of mine who would show such absolute ignorance of Egyptian as Smith does, could not possibly expect to get more than zero in an examination in Egyptology."
'' The scroll's true translation is,
"Osiris (an Egyptian god) shall be conveyed into the Great Pool of Khons -- and likewise Osiris Hor, justified, born to Tikhebyt, justified -- after his arms have been place on his heart and the Breathing Permit (which [Isis] (an Egyptian goddess) made and has writing on its inside and outside) has been wrapped in royal linen and placed under his left arm near his heart; the rest of his mummy bandages should be wrapped over it. The man for whom this book has been copied will breathe forever as the bas (like souls) of the gods do."
This does not sound like the Word of the True God, does it?
' The one part Joseph Smith did get right was that the scroll was an idolatrous, polytheistic religious work, and the same may be said about the Mormon Book of Abraham. Because the captions in the pictures are in the Book of Abraham, every copy of the Pearl of Great Price has these words (in Egyptian) "Grant that the soul of Osiris Sheshonk may live", "may this tomb never be desecrated", and "I (Min) am a copulating bull without equal."
'' For more information, see Jerald and Sandra Tanner's books, The Case Against Mormonism, Parts I, II, and III.
Trust in Chariots and Horses
'' Getting back to the real Egyptians, they did not really trust in gods (theirs or the true God.)' They were proud of their culture, proud of their army, and proud of their pyramids. When Egypt's idols and land were humbled by Moses' God, most still did not change.
'' Are people ever like that today?' When we are not trusting in God, what do we tend to trust in? --our parents, our minds, our money, our friends?' If God did something to jolt us out of our false assurance, what would we do?' I hope you would not go back again to the lesser things you trusted in, like the Egyptians, but I hope you put your trust in the Lord.
How can you find God if you are not willing to obey Jer. 9:23-24?
Where In Time Are You?
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'' The family brought their adorable 1' year old baby to the Temple to receive the blessing from the priest - because that is what the gods wanted them to do. As they walked down the final road, the father recognized one of the official Temple prostitutes; he winked at her, because he had paid her before. Being the "good religious people" that they were they gave their baby to the priest. The priest passed the baby through the fire. The drums and music drowned out the frantic cries, but they could not mask the smell of the burning flesh as it was consumed. The gods were demanding, but after the sacrifice, there was no way the family would turn back from following the gods now. Though they felt the absence of their child, at least they went home feeling good, that they did the right and godly thing.
'' This dreadful place is Canaan around 1500 BC., right before the time of Joshua. After the Israelites entered Canaan, the Canaanites would teach their ways to the Israelites and lead many astray. All firstborn babies were not burned to death though. Under the city of Gezer archaeologists have found many jars with the remains of little babies inside.
The Scoop on the Canaanites
'' People lived in Canaan since the earliest times. Jericho was first inhabited ~7000 BC. Many cities sprang up around 3000 BC. by Abraham's time the population was ~200K. By Joshua's time, here are estimated populations:
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Region''''''''''''' Population'' Uncert.
World''''''''''''''''' 100''''' M''''' '30%
'Egypt+Cush''''''' ' 4.5'''' M''''' '20%
'Mideast''''''''''''' 20' '''' M''''' '20%
' Hittites''''''''''''' ' 2.4'''' M''''' '20%'
' Hurrians'''''''''' ' 1.5'''' M''''' '20%
' Assyrians''''''''' ' 1.2'''' M''''' '20%
' Medes'''''''''''''' ' 0.5'''' M''''' '30%
' Chaldeans'''''''' ' 3.0'''' M''''' '20%
' Canaanites'''''' ' 1.77'' M''''' '15%
''' Hivites'''''''''' ' 0.1'''' M''''' '20%
''' Hazor K.'''''''' ' 0.18'' M''''' '15%
''' Jebusites''''''' ' 0.04'' M''''' '20%
' Transjordan''''' ' 0.65'' M''''' '20%
' Phoenicians''''' ' 0.33'' M''''' '20%
' Israelites'''''''''' ' 2.45'' M''''' ' 8%
'' The Canaanites fought each other constantly. They were never united as Egypt was, and consequently they are always dominated by and paying tribute to either the Egyptians or the Hittites.
'' The Canaanites were a sophisticated people; they had a higher culture, though lower morals, than the Israelites that conquered them.
'' Canaan was a melting pot of peoples. They had Perizzites, Amorites, Jebusites, Hivites (Hittites), Girgashites, Horites, Raphaites, Kenizzites, and others. In order not to "get lost in Canaan" as you read your Bible, below is a thumbnail sketch of some of the "ites".
The Amorites
'' The Amorites moved into the Mideast ~3000 BC., probably from Europe. They conquered many cities in Canaan ~2300 BC. Most Canaanites had Amorite ancestry. East of the Jordan River, the kingdoms of Og and Bashan were Amorite. West of the Jordan Amorites lived in Jericho, Lachish, Hebron, and many other towns.
Sodom and Gomorrah
Sodom and Gomorrah were cities of great wickedness mentioned in Gen 14 and 18:16-19:29. These cities have not yet been found, but they were very likely Amorite. They engaged in gross homosexuality, violence towards strangers, and they were so evil God could not find even ten righteous people in Gen 18:32. Jesus spoke of Sodom in Luke 10:12.
Jericho
'' The city of Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world (~7000 BC.). It was abandoned ~4000 BC., and rebuilt ~3200 BC. Amorites destroyed it and many other cities ~2300 BC., and then they rebuilt it.
' Jericho (JER i ko) was pronounced YER i ko by the people in the Mideast. It was a mid-sized city atop an 11 ft high hill. The hill was 200 x 400 yards (8 acres), and it had a 35 degree slope. Thus battering rams could not break down the walls very well.
' A spring inside the city wall supplied water to Jericho's 10,000 people, even when it was under seige. Jericho had a guard tower and two walls: an inner wall 12 feet thick and an outer wall 6 feet' thick and 35 feet high. The inner wall was 5 to 10 feet inside of the outer one. Residents built houses on planks between the walls, and Rahab's house was likely that way.
'' In Joshua 6:26, Joshua prophesied that the man who rebuilt it would lose his oldest and youngest sons. Hiel of Bethel disregarded this curse in 1 Kings 16:34; the curse came true.
The Jebusites
'' The Jebusites were a numerous Amorite people that only had one city, called Jebus. It was the most strongly fortified city in Canaan. While its armies were defeated and the Jebusites gave the Israelites tribute, the whole city was never captured until David took it. Do you know what the later name for this city?' Read Joshua 15:63.
The Hittites
Gen 26:34 says that Esau married two Hittite women. Some years ago, modern archaeologists did not even know who Hitittes were. The Hittites were a powerful Indo-European people who settled in Asia Minor ~2300 BC. They fought Egypt for control of Canaan. They fought against the Assyrians and Hurrians. The Hittites sacked Babylon in 1590 BC. and fought Egypt to a draw in 1285 BC.. They battled the Sea Peoples in a naval engagement off of Cyprus ~1190 BC. After 1000 BC., their power was almost gone.
'' A colony of Hittites dwelled in Canaan around Gibeon. They survived in later Israelite times as Temple servants. Do you know the reason they reason were not killed when Joshua invaded Canaan?' Read Joshua 9:16-27 for the answer.
The City of Hazor
'' Hazor was the largest city in Canaan with an area of 20 acres and an estimated population of up to 40,000. At the time of Joshua, it headed a federation of many of the northern cities. Hazor was sacked in Joshua 11. They oppressed Israel in Judges 4 with 900 iron chariots.
The Horites
'' The Horites are apparently Hurrian colonists. The Hurrians lived in modern day Eastern Turkey and Western Iran. A people called the Mitanni came from India with their chariots and conquered and mixed in with the Hurrians. It is interesting to consider that mixed in with the Canaanites was some blood from as far away as northern India.
The Rephaites
'' The Rephaites, also called Anakites, were an ancient people of great height. When Moses sent the twelve spies out to explore Canaan, they saw these people and were afraid to enter the land.
The Phoenicians
'' Some today may not consider Phoenicia a part of Canaan, but since Genesis mentions them as Sidon a son of Canaan in Gen 10:15 we will mention them here. They lived on the coast of Syria and Lebanon bordering Canaan. The Phoenicians later migrated to Carthage and fought Rome.
'' Sidon was their earliest principle city, but soon after Tyre was founded (1200 BC.), this city rose to prominence. They also had some human sacrifice.
'' They were well known traders and sailors. Their specialty was a purple dye, called Tyrian Purple, which was made from murex shellfish. While Canaan's coast was smooth with no natural harbors, Phoenicia had a rocky coast with abundant harbors. While Canaan was fertile, Phoenicia had many cedar forests but little farmland.
The Philistines
'' The Philistines were a part of the Sea Peoples, a powerful non-Amorite people who migrated from an unknown land to the West. They fought on both sides in the Egyptian-Libyan battle' 4/15/1220 BC. and fought the Hittites ~1190 BC.. A few Philistines may have lived in Canaan in the time of Abraham, but most of them migrated ~1200 BC..
'' Once there they had not one but five ruling cities: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath, and Gaza. They were tough opponents of Israel because they had chariots and iron weapons. They were never decisively defeated until David's time.
Sacks and Destructions
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DATE'''''''''' CITIES''''''''''''''''''' .
2300 BC.'''' Jericho, Et-tell
1650 BC.'''' Shechem
1500 BC.'''' Debir, Hazor, Jericho,
'''''''''''''''''' Lachish, Sharuhen,
'''''''''''''''''' Shechem by Egypt
1400 BC.'''' Jericho, Hazor
1280 BC.'''' Ashkelon'' by Egypt
1250-1200 Hazor, Debir, Lachish,
'''''''''''''''''' Bethel, Libnah, Eglon
1150 BC.'''' Philistines sack Sidon
Canaanite Religion
'' The Canaanite religion was one of the most decadent ones around. Religious people sacrificed their first born child to one of the many Baals or Lords. Religious prostitution was practiced in honor of Baal's consort, Asherah. (We heard of her before with the Sumerians.)' They fact that these bad things were practiced was only half the problem; the other half was that everyone thought these things were godly things to do!
'' Three practices made the Canaanites worse than other idolators: religious prostitution, homosexuality, and infanticide. One wonders just how much (if at all) we have morally progressed.
Religious Prostitution
'' The small cult that does this today has two names, Children of God, and Family of Love. People in cults will claim anything for Jesus, won't they?
Homosexuality
'' With all the activity in San Francisco, Austin, and other places to convince society that "gay is OK" and homosexuality is an alternative lifestyle, young Christians may wonder if it is really wrong after all. The verses below should remove all doubt. Homosexual rebuttals are italicized.
Lev 20:13 "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; ...." Maybe it is different after Christ.
Romans 1:26-27 tells of men and women who exchanged natural relations for unnatural relations with the same sex. If changing to a homosexual is wrong, maybe it is OK if some are born homosexuals. A difference has been found in homosexuals' brains. Drug users' brains differ from others' too, but that is acquired, not inborn.
1 Cor 6:9-10 says, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?' Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers not male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders, ... will inherit the kingdom of God." Verse 11 mentions cleansing though. Then it is no worse than other immorality.
Gen 19:5-7: the last part says, "don't do this wicked thing." Homosexual rape is wrong. Ezekiel 16:49 says, "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy."
Ezek 16:50 states, "They were haughty and did detestable things before me...." So all these things were wrong and not just one.
Jude 7: "In a similar way Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire." Well, that's just one verse.
All verses that talk against sexual immorality, such as 1 Cor 6:18, also apply to homosexuality. Well most homosexuals don't believe the Bible anyway. The God of the Bible must not like homosexuality.
'' You may not be able to convince a homosexual's mind because the problem is with his will. You should be convinced in your own mind though. Does this mean it is OK to hate homosexual people? Certainly not. As Christians we are to hate the sin, but love the sinner. I personally know a friend who was born again and now is ex-gay. Praise God, He changes lives!
The Bible and Abortion
'' First recognize that many people do not care what the Bible says about abortion. They do not care what is right or wrong. They only want what they want. This is written for those who want to know God's will.
'' There are two abortion perspectives: private and public. What do you think about a politician's statement, "I would never have an abortion... but I wouldn't stop anyone else."? What if it was murder?
'' What about freedom?' My freedom to swing my arm ends where your nose begins. If 1) a fetus is a human life, and 2) mothers must care for unborn babies, then a child's right to live supersedes a mother's freedom to choose to kill. If 1) or 2) is false, then maybe it is OK to kill a fetus like some people kill dolphins.
'' You often can read into the Bible what you like (isogesis) or take seriously what God really says and likes (exegesis). Study Exodus 21:22-25 carefully.
Pro-Life Positions
1. Regular people (not some criminals) have the right to live.
2. The fetus is a distinct human from the moment of conception.
3a/3b. Woman (in all cases / except for rape and incest) have the duty not to kill their unborn babies.
4. Murder (by abortion or any other name) should be illegal in a moral society.
Pro-Choice Positions
1. Regular people (not some criminals) have rights to their bodies, as long as they do not hurt others.
2a/2b. The fetus is not a "human" until it (is / is almost ) born.
3. Women do not have the duty be pregnant against their will, and they can change their minds.
4. Therefore women have the right to chose to end their pregnancy.
Pro-Life Views
'' There are three categories of pro-life arguments. The italicized words are pro-choice rebuttals.
Anti-Birth Control Arguments
'' Two anti-abortion arguments can also be used to "prove" we must have as many children as possible. If that is wrong then these are too.
Psalm 127:3-5 shows the value God places, and we should also place, on kids. How can someone believe this verse and allow abortions?
Abortion snuffs out the potential in a child. One never knows what a child could do for society.
Anti-Mid and Late Term Arguments
'' I have never met a 100% pro-choice person. Few would justify taking an infant out minutes before birth and killing it. Today doctors sometimes induce labor early, so you cannot draw the line at birth.
In Luke 1:41-44 John the Baptist leapt for joy in Elizabeth's womb. Thus he was a person who had emotions and a spirit. The Spirit's filling before birth of this unique person is not the norm.
Like John the Baptist, unborn babies have emotions too. The film Silent Scream shows that Mid-term aborted babies fight to the death the suction tube for the convenience of the mother.
See also Ps 139:13-16 Isa 49:1, Jer 1:5, and Judges 13:3-7. Job 3:3 and Gen 4:1 emphasize birth.
Abortion stops a beating heart; abortion makes brain waves go dead. Abortion kills.
Value Pro-Life Arguments
'' There are more fundamental reasons to be pro-life. The worth of a person is not determined by his value to society or parents' views. All humans have this dignity given by God, though men try to deny it.
Making a baby is a continuous process; we cannot draw a line. As we declare some of the human species "non-people", we do inhuman things. Today doctors even experiment with aborted babies. When aborted babies come out alive, doctors have killed them.
If abortion is permitted to continue, the evil is done not only to the babies but to ourselves. As we turn ourselves into monsters, the Canaanites of old live again.
Pro-choice Views
There are two categories of pro-choice arguments. The italicized words are pro-life rebuttals.
Pro-Infanticide Arguments
'' Most (but not all) arguments for abortion can be used equally well to justify killing babies one day before birth. We can call these "Canaanite arguments."
Fetal experiments and tissue may help treat people. If infants also helped, would killing babies be OK?
The Bible never specifically prohibits abortion. The Bible never explicitly prohibits chainsaw massacres of babies either. If unborn babies are people, then the sixth commandment covers abortion too.
Pro-life people think pregnant women should have less freedom than other people. Due to their chosen responsibilities, mothers and fathers have less freedom too.
In Gen 2:7 God breathed into Adam the breath of life. So we are people when we first breathe. This was only for the first man.
Many verses (Isa 49:5, Ps 22:9-10 58:3 71:6) teach that God cares for us since birth. Ps 22:9-10 says from the womb (before birth).
Pro-Early Term Arguments
'' The strongest arguments only justify early term abortions.
At one time the early Egyptians' penalty for adultery was death. If the woman got pregnant they first waited for the child to be born. In the Old Testament adulterous women were executed with their unborn babies, so this was all OK.
Since a creature's life is in the blood (Gen 9:4 Lev 17:11,14 Deut 12:23), and blood cells form 20 days after conception, before then abortion may be OK.
1 Cor 15:46 says, "However, the spiritual is not first but the natural; then the spiritual." This refers to salvation, not gestation. Non-Christians are not non-humans!
Withdrawing the support a fetus requires is not murder. Abortion is often painful killing by salt poisoning, vacuum, or by knife.
For Digging Up More Info
Most of the material in this issue was taken from: Beckwith, Francis J. "A Critical Appraisal of Theological Arguments for Abortion Rights" Bibliotheca Sacra vol.148 no.591 July-Sept. 1991. Dallas Seminary Press.
Sproul, R.C. Abortion : A Rational Look at an Emotional Issue Navpress 1990.
Where In Time Are You?
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'' You appreciate good art, so we visit the bronzesmith. Sweat drips from his body as his finishes another masterpiece. You wonder what it will be. He shows you a well-crafted sculpture of a chained prisoner of war in agony, as a vulture or hawk is pecking out his eye. "Is not this a beautiful work of art", he asks?' The time is ~760 B.C., and you wonder when Jonah will get here to Ninevah, to preach against the violent Assyrians.
Why Study This?
'' The Assyrians were among the most cruel people in the Middle East. After learning about the Assyrians, perhaps we will better understand why Jonah did not want to preach to them, and why Hezekiah was so afraid when more than 185,000 Assyrian soldiers mocked Israel's God and camped outside of Jerusalem. Finally we will see what God did about that.
Great Cities of Assyria
'' A great number of Assyrians lived in a few great cities. Ninevah was built before 2300 B.C. by Nimrud (Gen 10:11) and ~700 BC. it became the capital. 10,000 clay tablets have been found in Ninevah's Library. Ninevah had great suburbs (See Gen 10:11-12), and the district (also called Ninevah) was 60 miles around and had ~600,000 people.
'' It would not make sense for peaceful farmers to live in such great cities; but then the Assyrians were not exactly peaceful farmers. These were cities of soldiers.
Assyrian Warfare
'' The Assyrian army was dreaded like a lion because of its discipline and iron weapons. Their heavy infantry, chariots, and horses all had armor (even the horses). With this army, Ashurnasirpal II said he "dyed the mountain red like wool...." Ninevah was called the city of blood in Nahum 3:1.
' Assyrians boasted to Hezekiah in 2 Ki 19:13 about their ability to take cities such as Arpad. Arpad was sacked for revolting in 740 B.C. after a two year seige, and sacked again in 720 B.C.. Also,' Eden in 2 Ki 19:12 is not the Garden of Eden, but a land called Bit-Eden (Bit-Adini) in Syria conquered 855 B.C. They took Damascus (732 B.C.), Phoenicia (701 B.C.),' Tarsus (698 B.C.), and Egypt (672 B.C.).
'' The Assyrians often exiled conquered people to other lands to subjugate the people and make them easier to rule. Besides the Israelites they exiled people from Babylon, Ivva, Cuthah, Damascas, Hamath, and Sepharvaim.
Assyrian Cruelty
'' Nahum 3:19 says of Assyria, "...for who has not felt your endless cruelty." They proudly wrote of mutilating, skinning, and burning people alive. Shalmaneser III made a pyramid of heads. Ashurbanipal put a dog chain through a captured king's jaw and made him live in a dog kennel. Subject peoples paid excessive tribute for the privilege of staying alive. For some strange reason, the Assyrians had many revolts. I wonder why?' In the end, I guess God found them revolting too!
Hezekiah and Assyria
'' The Assyrian army appeared invincible. Their military juggernaut rolled across Babylonia, the Arameans, and depopulated the northern Kingdom of Israel. They invaded Judah and exiled 200,000 people. Finally they gave King Hezekiah in Jerusalem a message: if the gods of other lands could not save their people, can your God do any better?' Surrender, - or else.
'' I cannot tell this story as well as the Bible does, so why don't you read 2 Chr 32:1-23, 2 Kings 18:13-19:37, or Isaiah 36-37?
'' Of course the Jews inside Jerusalem could not see what happened' outside. The Greek historian Herodotus also wrote about this most unusual event. Here is what he said happened.
'' Hezekiah asked Egypt for help. The Egyptian army refused to fight the Assyrians, so Pharaoh Sebitku put swords in the hands of all the shopkeepers of Egypt and sent them with his brother Tirhaqa towards Judah with a large, though poorly trained and equipped army. In the meantime Sennacherib learned that in his absence another was trying to take his throne. Finally that night an army of wild rats came through the Assyrian camp. They ate the Assyrians' bowstrings and spread the plague, which was responsible for 185,000 dying. See Isa 10:16. After all this happened, Sennacherib figured out that perhaps it was time to return home with the soldiers he still had.
'' According to the 2 Kings 19:37, after he returned, while he was praying to his idol, two of his own sons entered and cut off his head and ran away.
Assyrian Kings
. ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''.
1813-1781 BC. Shamshi-Adad I
1781-1760 BC. Ishme-Dagon I
1760-1365 BC. Under the Babylonians
1365-1330 BC. Ashur-uballit I
1115-1077 BC. Tiglath-Pileser I
859-824 BC. Shalmaneser III
772-754 BC. Ashur-dan III
754-746 BC. Ashur-nirari V
745-727 BC. Tiglath Pileser III (Pul)
'''''''''''''''''' 2Ki 15:19-20,29 16:10-18
'''''''''''''''''' 1Chr 15:26 2Chr 28:20-21
727-722 BC. Shalmaneser V
'''''''''''''''''' 2Ki 17:3-19:10
722-705 BC. Sargon II'''' Is 20:1
705-681 BC. Sennacherib' 2Chr 32:1-22
'''''''''''''''''' Isa 36-37
681-669 BC. Esarhaddon'' 2Ki 19:37
'''''''''''''''''' Isa 37:38, Ezr 4:2
669-626 BC. Ashurbanipal 2Chr 33:11-
626-623 BC. Ashur-etil-ilani
623-612 BC. Sin-shar-ishkun
612-609 BC. Ashur-uballit II.
Jonah and Ninevah
'' God gave the Assyrians a warning before destroying them through Jonah. If Jonah came ~758 B.C., God may have prepared the Ninevites' by the following events.
'' Shalmaneser III conducted 32 military campaigns during his 34 year reign. There is an Assyrian relief of Jehu, a godly but ruthless King of Israel, kissing Shalmaneser's feet. Civil Wars started ~824 B.C. and Assyrian power declined until 745 B.C.. Serious plagues broke out in 765' and 759 B.C., and a total eclipse of the sun occurred on June 15, 763. Even the mightiest military power in the world should fear the hand of God. From the previous chart, which king likely saw Jonah?
'' When God commanded the prophet Jonah to travel 500 miles northeast to Ninevah, why would he get on a boat sailing 2,500 miles west to Tarshish in Spain?
'' While children's stories and the KJV say Jonah was swallowed by a whale, God's word does not really say that; it says a great fish. A whale shark (also called jewfish) has swallowed a man who lived to tell about it. A sperm whale can also swallow large objects whole.
'' Why do you think God wanted to warn Ninevah?'' Read the end of the Book of Jonah for a hint.
_____________________________
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'' What analogies do you see between the Book of Jonah and Christ's redemption of man?
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Nahum and Ninevah
'' Assyria's most brutal period was Ashurbanipal's reign. A second book of the Bible, Nahum, predicts Ninevah's fall. Since Nahum said' Thebes (also called No) was destroyed 663 BC. and Thebes was rebuilt in 654 BC., Nahum was likely written between these two dates. Nah 3:1 said Ninevah was filled with blood, lies, plunder, and victims. 1:14 says "...I will prepare your grave for you are vile."
Ninevah's Defenses
Ninevah was one well fortified city. It was at the junction of the Tigris and Khoser Rivers, and a canal was built. Ninevah had a 150 ft wide moat outside of an inner wall 100 ft high and 50 ft thick and 8 3/4 miles around. It was so well fortified, that if it was in Europe in World War I, no artillery would have been powerful enough to breach its walls.
The Fall of Ninevah
'' Ashurbanipal called himself the King of the Universe. Tiglath-Pileser I was a more humble man; he only called himself '"King of the World." Even the proud city of Ninevah would fall someday, and that day was in August 612 B.C.. The Babylonian Chronicle said the Medes, Persians, Scythians, Babylonians, plus maybe a few others combined to besiege Ninevah. All their armies together could not break down its great walls. So here is what they did.
'' Dams or "river gates" upstream the canal and Khoser River made water reservoirs. The invaders stopped the water flowing past the dams. According to Diodorus Siculus and Xenophon, heavy rains also caused flooding. Diodorus wrote that the Assyrian king distributed to all his soldiers meat and wine, and while they were drunkenly carousing (See Nah 3:11), the Medes opened the river gates (Nah 3:6) and the surge of water destroyed part of the city wall. The unexpected night attack caught the Assyrians off guard. Their king, thinking all was lost, burned down his palace with his family in it. The palace collapse (Nah 3:6) and fire (Nah 3:13,15) did more damage. Nahum's prophecies came to pass, and Ninevah became history.
To' Dig' up' More' Info
Archer, Gleason L. Jr. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction Moody Press 1974.
Douglas J.D. The New Bible Dictionary W.B. Eerdmans 1962.
Walwoord, R.B. Zuck The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament Victor Books 1985. Books of Nahum and Jonah.
Cruelty Towards Others
'' Last time we learned of the great cruelty of the ancient Assyrians. Now we will look at cruelty today what we should do about it.
'' There are other kinds of cruelty besides physical cruelty. Some adults have mental problems due to others being cruel to them as kids. What are some ways young people can be cruel to each other?
'' Have you ever been cruel towards someone else?' How?' If so, have you ever asked God to forgive you for your evil?
'' While everyone should be aware of others think of them, some teenagers and college students often overdo their concern about what people of the opposite sex think of them. These people are set up to suffer greatly from even slight cruelty. What does this mean, "Be sensitive, but don't be sensitive."?
Cruelty Towards You
' What should you do when others are cruel towards you?' What answer did Corrie ten Boom give in the cruel concentration camp?
Cruelty Towards Animals
'' What does Prov 12:10 say about cruelty to animals?
'' Is killing an animal cruel?' Why or why not?
Cruelty Towards _________
' Have you ever had salt put in a cut or wound?' What if I told you of animals that were killed by being immersed in salt such that their whole body felt like yours when salt is in a wound. What if I told you of animals that had their limbs torn off, somewhat slowly, while they were still alive?' What would you do?' Protest?' Call the SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)?'
'' Children are animals (at the very least.)' These things are being done every year to millions of unborn babies who can feel and struggle against these in Mid and Late term abortions. It is hypocritical to claim to be concerned about cruelty to animals if they do not oppose cruelty to innocent babies. What should you do?' Should you do nothing while this happens millions of times a year?
Injustice in the World
'' It has been said that even non-religious people have to believe in an afterlife if they believe in justice. This is because many get only great injustice in this life. So should we as Christians only comment on injustice and go our merry way?' Is that right?' Read ________ and then answer.
Wars
'' The rest of this issue is about war. Since 358 A.D., there have been at most four years without a war or rebellion. That is over 113 million people dead and 54 million wounded.
Wars for Justice
'' Should Christians go to war for a good cause?' If so, what exactly is a good cause?
'' Christians do not agree on this issue. Christianity did not really have a majority pro-just war position until ~170 A.D. Let's see what the Bible has to say.
'' In the Old Testament God permitted some wars and commanded others. Examples are wars against the Canaanites and Amalekites. Assuming today is sufficiently like the Old Testament, then we have our answer: fighting some wars is justified.
'' However pacifists argue today's secular governments are sufficiently different from the Old Testament. Killing somebody is unloving, denies them time to hear the Gospel, and seems inconsistent with following the Prince of Peace.
'' Is not stopping a murderer from killing loved ones loving?' Is condemning a government for executions a denial of Rom 13:3-4?
Two Naive Viewpoints
'' There are two extreme viewpoints that we can quickly cover. The first is that in Ex 20 and Deut 5 the sixth commandment in the Ten Commandments is "Thou shalt not kill." Since killing is killing, both war and capital punishment are against God.
' If someone says this, ask if they know how many cases of executions were in Ex 21?' Ask them, "How many chapters later in Deuteronomy does it tell how to go to war?"
'' In Hebrew the sixth commandment is not "don't kill", but actually "don't murder."
'' The second simplistic viewpoint is that since war is not murder, then all war is OK. Everything not directly forbidden in the Bible is not OK, because it speaks about many things indirectly.
Three Viewpoints
'' There is a tension between being called to what some feel are Christian ideals and what others feel is Christian responsibility. There are many viewpoints about the question, "Should a Christian go to war", but we will sample three here.
'' The first person we will ask is "Charlie the Chaplain." War is an evil non-Christians naturally do, since they are of this world. Since Christ's Kingdom is not of this world, he must not kill. National defense is a necessary evil though, and he will support and encourage those who defend him and fight for just causes.
'' The second person we will ask is "Peter the pacifist". He' believes all killing is wrong, whether for the Christian or the non-Christian. If he were the President, he would introduce Bills to abolish the military and require the police not to carry guns. He protests any fighting.
'' The third person we will ask is "Sally the Soldier." Just like Joshua was commanded to take the Promised Land by fighting, we too should fight for what is just. Two good Christian leaders of nations never have a reason to fight each other. However we shirk our responsibility if we do not fight just wars to defend people's lives, rights, and ability to financially take care of themselves.
How Do You Answer?
A Christian can be a
Policeman with a gun
An executioner
A soldier
Should a policeman use deadly force to prevent a murder?
Fighting is just for
no reason whatsoever
restoration of peace
defending life
defending property
defending honor
only in defense
reconquest
to punish aggressors
excessive taxation (like in 1776)
Christians should influence society
by prayer only
by saying what is right & wrong
with leadership
by being in politics
by being in the military
Should Christians be willing to suffer rather than to do harm?
The German Christian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was killed for helping plot Hitler's assassination. Was he doing right?
America did not send troops to overthrow Idi Amin in Uganda, but we should have?
'' In the 18th Century, the proper way to defend your honor challenge a man to a deadly duel. Otherwise you would be thought a coward. If you lived then, what would you do?
'' At school if you are challenged you to a fight, what do you do?
'' The UN has seen that Saddam has far more nuclear bomb making equipment than we thought. What should the President do?
Armor-Plated Bibles?
'' Is fighting ever justified?' We can ask the blacks. If Abraham Lincoln and northern abolitionists thought war was never justified, the Civil War would not have been fought. Half a million died in that tragedy - but would not continued slavery have been even worse?
'' We can ask the Chinese. In the late 1890's China fought against Britain and the European powers to ban the import of opium, which created millions of addicts. Though the Chinese lost, their struggle for freedom of their people from opium was justified.
'' We can ask the Jews. Hitler's ovens were still warm when Allied troops liberated the concentration camps. America did not have to get involved; we could have just waited until Germany completed their atomic bomb project and their trans-Atlantic missile project and then
surrendered.
'' Certainly peaceful solutions should be tried first; but due to evil men's hardened hearts, war is sometimes the only way to eliminate institutionalized evil without waiting for centuries.
'' President Bush said he prayed a lot before coming to his decision. Bush also said, "A half century ago our nation and the world paid dearly for appeasing an aggressor who should and could, have been stopped. We are not going to make the same mistake again." I have heard that some American troops in the Mideast had armor-plated Bibles.
For Digging Up More Info
Clouse Robert G. (ed) War: Four Christian Views Inter-Varsity Press Revised Ed. 1991.
Where In Time Are You?
'' You feel the scorching, dry wind from the desert. Yet, you sit amid the beautiful hanging gardens in this six square mile city. These will later be called one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Some Jewish musicians are performing. The songs are sweet, yet so sad; there really is no place like the home they miss.
'' This is certainly a religious city; it has 53 temples. The processional way starts at the blue Gate of Ishtar and runs for 1,000 yards. It has 120 lions symbolizing the goddess Ishtar, and 575 dragons and bulls honoring Marduk and Bel.
Chaldean Origin and History
'' The Babylonians, also called Chaldeans, were a mixture of the highly civilized Sumerians and less civilized Amorites. ~2371-2000 BC. Amorites came to both Canaan and Mesopotamia where conquered and settled in the Babylon, Asshur, Mari, and other cities. They were successful because they fought well with bows and arrows. Babylon was captured ~2020 BC. by the Sumerians of Ur.
The Old Babylonian Empire
' Amorites ruled in Babylon from 1894 B.C. After King Hammurabi of Babylon conquered all Mesopotamia ~1760 BC., the entire region became Chaldea.
'' Hammurabi was famous for his _____ ___' ___________. It is characterized by "an eye for an eye." These 282 laws were actually not an original set of laws as one would surmise from the picture of Hammurabi receiving them from the gods. Instead, he refined earlier Law codes. Apparently Hammurabi had no law against plagiarism.
Hittites and Kassites
'' The Hittites under King Mirsilis I surprised Babylon and plundered it in 1595 B.C.. After Babylon was sacked "Mursilis-ly", an Iranian people called Kassites conquered Babylonia. Little is known about them except they things as they were.
Babylon Rises Again
'' After 1174 BC. When the Babylonians rebelled, they were weak but usually independent. Nebuchadnezzar I (1124-1103 B.C.) defeated the Elamites.
Vassals of the Assyrians
'' Vassals are the people who serve a king. Are you a vassal?' Tiglath Pileser III annexed Babylon in 729 BC. From 721-710 BC. Babylon's governor, Merodach Baladan II, rebelled with the help of the Elamites. It was he who wanted to ally with Hezekiah in 2 Ki 20:12-15 and Isa 39. Nothing came of that, for the Assyrians retook Babylon in 710 BC.. Merodach Baladan still ruled as governor, and he tried again from 703-702 BC..
The Neo-Babylonian Empire
'' In 626 B.C. Nabopolassar, Babylon's governor, allied himself with the Medes and gained independence. Fighting raged for about ten years, until the Scythians joined the Babylonians and Medes to annihilate the Assyrian Empire. The Babylonian Empire at its height covered all the Fertile Crescent, but not Egypt, Anatolia, or Iran.
Neo-Babylonian Kings
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626-605 BC. Nabopolassar
605-562 BC. Nebuchadnezzar II' 2 Ki 24
562-560 BC. Evil-Merodach 2 Ki 25:27
560 BC.'''''' killed by Nergal-Sharezer
560-556 BC. Nergal-Sharezer Jer 39
556 BC.'''''' Labashi-Marduk (9 mon.)
556-539 BC. Nabonidus+Belshazzar Dan
The Fall of Babylon
'' Babylon was captured October 16, 539 BC.. Rather than scaling the high city walls, the Persians, Medes, and Elamites diverted the Euphrates River and at night entered the city by the riverbed underneath the walls.
'' The Babylonians rebelled in 522 BC., 521 BC., and 482 BC. After the third rebellion, the Persian King Xerxes destroyed the city in 478 BC. Later Alexander the Great decided to rebuild it, but he died of malaria before he could.
Babylonian Writing
'' Babylonians and Assyrians spoke the Akkadian language. Sumerian cuneiform characters were used to write the (very different) Akkadian words. -- and some people think writing English is hard!
The Babylonian Creation Story
'' This account is called the Enuma Elish, after its first two words. It tells of Marduk slaying the ocean monster Tiamat to create the heavens and earth. It is possible that Genesis 1 was written in a style to directly contrast with Mesopotamian mythology.
Babylonian Religion
'' Babylonians and' Assyrians in the seventh century knew of ~2,500 idols. There was a triad of chief gods. They were Anu god of heaven, Bel god of air, and Ea god of wisdom. In Sumerian their names were An, Enlil, and Enki.
'' Ishtar was the goddess was love and war. She was the wife of Anu,' Enlil, Shamash or Tammuz (Dummuzi). The priests had trouble making up their minds.
'' Marduk, eldest son of Enki, was the most important god to the Babylonians. His name may mean "young bull of the sun", and his symbol was the bull. Many Babylonian kings had Marduk as a part of their name, just like many Hebrew names contain Yahweh.
'' A dragon symbolized Bel. Bel and Marduk are mentioned in Jer 50:2 and 51:44. Bel had a son named Nebo or Nabu, and they are mentioned in Isa 46:1. Nebuchadnezzar probably means "Nabu has secured the succession rights."
Chaldean Stargazers
'' The Chaldeans were adept astronomers; so good in fact you might call them superstars. They also practiced magic and astrology, which they inherited from the Sumerians. This is probably why Isaiah 13:10 and Isaiah 47:11-13 refer to conjurers and astrologers.
Jerusalem's Destruction
'' The most crucial role Babylonia played was to capture Jerusalem 3/16/597 BC., and to destroy it in 587/586 BC.. Read the facts of what happened in 2 Ki 25, 2 Chr 36:11-21, and Jer 39. Ezek 17 says what happened behind the scenes.
Babylon and God's People
'' In the Bible Babylon was many things to God's people; --all of them bad. We will see how these characteristics of Babylon in the Old Testament are still true of the Babylon in Revelation.
A Temptation
'' After the Israelites took Jericho, all the spoil was to be given to God. Achan in Joshua 7:20-21 however, took' __________ from Babylonia. The goods and customs of the powerful and wealthy can always be a temptation. Babylon is also shown as a temptation in Ezekiel 23:14-17, Rev 17:2, and Rev 18:23. Temptations can be thought of as insect infested food. The first bite seems good, but you want to spit it all out after you taste the bugs.
Sword of God's Judgment
'' Isaiah 47:6 and Ezekiel 21 speak of Babylon as the sword of God's judgment. It is remarkable that God uses unbelievers to punish those who disobey God.
A Golden Cup of Madness
This is an oft-repeated symbol of Babylon found in Jer 51:7 and in Revelation in 14:8, 17:2, and 18:3,6. What things today seem to be a golden cup of madness?
Wicked Woman and Home of Abominations
'' Zech 5:5-11 is an allegory that does not much sense until you read Rev 17:1-6. It tells of a woman called wickedness, who is pushed in a basket and taken to Babylon. There a house will be built for her.
Object of Horror and Scorn
'' Babylon was a wicked place, and a place that God's people could look upon with horror, as Jer 50:13, 51:34, 57, and 41 say.
'' It was horrible because of both of what they did to God's people and what was going to happen to them. When we see an unbeliever living a rich and loose life, do we envy, or pity him because of the Judgment Day?
A Place of Desolation
'' Isaiah 13:20-22, Isa. 21, 48:14, Jer 50-51, and other verses say that Babylon will be destroyed and be uninhabited. This is also in Rev 16:19 and 17:15-18:24.
Rejoice In Her Destruction
'' Jer 51:48 say all heaven and earth will rejoice over her destruction. Isaiah 13:3 and Rev 19:1-3 repeat that thought. On the surface that may sound callous. However, evildoers hurt others, do you rejoice when the wicked are brought to justice?
Flee Babylon!
'' Jer 50:8, Jer 51:6, and Jer 51:45-47 stress that God's people are to flee Babylon. At that time many Jews were forced to settle in Babylon, and many stayed there by choice. They had to flee that place or else face the results of God's wrath against the unbelievers living there.
'' Rev 18:4 tells of' a time in the future when believers will be in a similar predicament. They will need to flee the future Babylon or else suffer the wrath God intended not for them but for the ungodly. The next issue is on identifying the future Babylon.
To' Dig' up' More' Info
The New Bible Dictionary Eerdmans Publishing 1962.
The NIV Study Bible Zondervan 1985.
Characteristics of the New Babylon
'' Today we will study the Babylon of the future Revelation warns us about. It is mentioned in Rev 14:8 and Rev 17-19:3. List below the major attributes that it has.
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The Mormon Church
'' Some ex-Mormons who are now Christians believe the Mormon Church has the potential to turn into the Babylon of Revelation. There is persecuted of non-Mormons. It is a false religion that claims to be Christian.
' The Mormon Church (official name: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of LDS) is false for many reasons, but there are three main ones. Mormons have a different God, a different Jesus, and a different salvation.
'' LDS people say their God was once a man just like us. He followed the right principles to become God. (Apparently the principles are above Him.)' Mormons are polytheists in a sense, because they believe good Mormon men (not women) who do the right things will become exactly like God is now. This part of Mormonism contradicts Num 23:19 and 1 Sam 15:24.
'' Mormons believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers. They believe both had a plan of salvation, and the spirit beings voted and Jesus' plan won. Satan then rebelled.
'' the Book of Mormon say people are saved by grace - after all they can do. Who has really done all they can do. A Mormon once explained to me that Jesus Christ paid for our sins, and by our lives we pay Him back. This is a direct contradiction of the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matt 18:21-35. The Bible does talk about people who believe they can be saved by human effort and trust in principles instead of God to save them in Gal 4:9 and 3:3. Paul rebukes them harshly.
'' The Mormon Council of Fifty decided to run Joseph Smith for President in 1844. According The Changing World of Mormonism p.456 Smith even had himself crowned king! Many Mormons believe that in the future America will have a crisis, and Mormons will come in and "save the day."
For Digging Up More Info
Tanner, Jerald and Sandra The Changing World of Mormonism Moody Press 1980.
Tanner, Jerald and Sandra The Case Against Mormonism vol. I,II,III. Utah Lighthouse Ministry.
The New Age Movement
'' Some suspect the New Age Movement may grow into the Babylon of Revelation. Strictly speaking the New Age is not a spiritual counterfeit; it is a large collection of spiritual counterfeits that are coming together.
'' According to Peter C. Moore's Book Disarming Secular Gods : How to Talk So Skeptics Will Listen (Intervarsity Press 1989), the New Age Movement has three main characteristics, mysticism (search for secret knowledge), syncretism (mixing all the religions together), and a mixing of spiritism and atheism. The last characteristic causes gullible people to believe all kinds to strange superstitions and beings, yet they cannot believe in One God.
'' Religiously, the closest thing today to Babylonian religion is the New Age Movement. (The New Age Movement copies from everybody though except Christianity.) Like the Babylonians, New' Agers appear to worship everything except the One True God.
'' One of the many dark aspects of part of the New Age Movement is that (human) blood is power. The New Age book Fringes of Reason, discusses this.
For Digging Up More Info
DeParrie, Paul and Mary Pride Ancient Empires of the New Age Crossway Books 1989.
Clark David K. and Norman L. Geisler Apologetics in the New Age : A Christian Critique of Pantheism Baker Book House 1990.
