Lesson 2: The Book of Jasher "Nimrod and Abram"
In this lesson we will discuss the rise of Ham's grandson, Nimrod (the villain!) and Shem's descendant, Abram, and the events surrounding his birth. Nimrod, the first world ruler, is also known in early Sumerian writings as “Gilgamesh.” Terah, Abrams’ father, was the prince of the host in the kingdom of Nimrod (early Babylon). Let's start with Nimrod. (Print outs of this lesson can be found HERE!)
First, read out loud the bible from Genesis 10:8-12, and then Chapter 7 from the Book of Jasher, Then consider the questions:
Discussion:
Do you think that the account from the Book of Jasher enhances or conflicts with the account of Nimrod from the Bible. Why or why not?
How does reading this account in the Book of Jasher change your view of Nimrod?
What was the most interesting part of, Jasher chapter 7?
Now watch the video! 10 min.
Discussion:
What is the real plot of the enemy of our souls (satan) carried out through Nimrod?
Many scholars teach that Nimrod was the first world leader, and a " type" of the antichrist. How was Nimrod like an antichrist? The antichrist?
Nimrod set up his kingdom on the plain of Shinar, in Babylon, which is Iraq today. The book of Revelation also talks about a kingdom in Babylon in the last days, and the destruction of that kingdom. The first and the last of the world rulers are centered on Babylon. What might be the strategy of the last world leader, taking clues from the first one? Any ideas? (following of many Gods, not just one?)
Let's take a look at the birth of Abram! Read Jasher Chapter 8 out loud as a group.
Discussion:
What part of this account from the book of Jasher surprises you?
After reading chapter 8 of Jasher, what was the most alarming part of this account regarding the birth of Abram to you? What does this entire account tell you about the morals and culture of the day?
Why do you think Nimrod was so threatened by Abram?
Do you think Noah could have been alive during the time of Abram? (see the chart below) Which other grandfathers of Abram were still alive at the time? (Note, the chart comes from Genesis 12.)
If you have time, watch this extra video: 10 min.
Closure: Next lesson we will be studying the Tower of Babel. If you would like, read Jasher 9-12. Close in Prayer.
Extra Reading:
Who was Nimrod?
Read a bit of this excerpt from the blog of Bob Avery!
Nimrod was the son of Cush, the firstborn of Ham.
When the flood waters receded to an acceptable level, Noah and his wife, Emzara disembarked from the Ark along with their sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their respective wives.
The descendants of Shem became the Shemites, or Semites (Semitic line of descent); the descendants of Japheth, the Indo-European nations, also known as the Gentiles; and the descendants of Ham, the Canaanites, Babylonians, Egyptians, and the Philistines.
Since we’re exploring Nimrod, it should be noted that the story of Ham, observing and taking delight in seeing his father, Noah, naked, is a metaphor for Ham’s rebellion against God. In light of this, it is understandable that Ham’s son, Cush, and his grandson, Nimrod, might also be rebellious against God. Nimrod proved to be that and more. In fact, it might be said that it became his life’s work, his passion to persuade people away from God. His reputation of being a mighty hunter might come more from his capturing of men than from hunting down wild game.
As Nimrod’s influence grew, he established the Cities of Erech, Nineveh, Babel, and Akkad among others, which would become the land of Shinar, or Sumer, the beginning of the kingdom of Babylonia.
It has been suggested that Nimrod and Ninus (In Greek mythology, King of Assyria and founder of the city of Nineveh) was the same person. Even more interesting, theories have emerged, which indicate that Nimrod might have actually been Gilgamesh, the hero of a Babylonian epic, inscribed on ancient clay tablets, that parallels the Biblical story of Noah and the flood. According to the tablets, Gilgamesh was from Erech, a city attributed to Nimrod. Genesis 10:8-11, states that Nimrod established a kingdom. Since the Babylonian kingdom seems to be one of the earliest, if not the first kingdom on earth, it stands to reason that such an event would be recorded in extra-Biblical literature. And it was. Not only was the epic of Gilgamesh recorded on Sumerian tablets, but similar tales are found among the Assyrian and Hittite cultures as well.
Scholars and translators of the cuneiform tablets that contain the Gilgamesh Epic agree that the text was composed around 2000 BC while the material written about, the numerous episodes of adventure, relate to a much earlier time period, probably not long after the flood. There are many similarities between Nimrod and Gilgamesh. Both were known as great builders and might warriors, they were from the same area, and arguably lived around the same time period. Nimrod seemed to be obsessed with the occurrence of a second flood. He built the tower of Babel, which was most likely a Mesopotamian Ziggurat, a pyramid shaped structure with staircases and ramps that led to a shrine on top, with the hope of constructing it high enough to escape the flood waters.
Nimrod was also obsessed with something else. Being a descendant of Ham, he feared that a descendant of Shem would someday show up and challenge his authority. That descendant would be Abram, later known as Abraham!
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