Sermon Tone Analysis

God’s Government vs. Human Government

The First Human Kingdom

Nimrod, the “Mighty Hunter” (Genesis 10:8–12; 1 Chronicles 1:10; Micah 5:6)

Genesis 10:8–12 Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth.

He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.”

And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal city).

1 Chronicles 1:10 Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth.

“The etymology and the meaning of Nimrod’s name are uncertain (BDB, “נִמְרֹד, nimrod.”).

The name is often connected to the Hebrew verb “to rebel” (מָרַד, marad)” LBD

Micah 5:6 They shall waste with the sword the land of Assyria, And the land of Nimrod at its entrances; Thus He shall deliver us from the Assyrian, When he comes into our land And when he treads within our borders.

Josephus wrote of Nimrod in “Antiquities of the Jews” - uninspired, and far after the fact (93-94 AD).

Interesting nonetheless.

Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God.

He was the grandson of Ham, the son of Noah,—a bold man, and of great strength of hand.

He persuaded them not to ascribe it to God as if it was through his means they were happy, but to believe that it was their own courage which procured that happiness.

(114) He also gradually changed the government into tyranny,—seeing no other way of turning men from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constant dependence upon his power.

He also said he would be revenged on God, if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for that he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach! and that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers!

3. (115) Now the multitude were very ready to follow the determination of Nimrod, and to esteem it a piece of cowardice to submit to God: and they built a tower, neither sparing any pains nor being in any degree negligent about the work: and, by reason of the multitude of hands employed in it it grew very high sooner than anyone could expect

We have the beginning of human governments in the hand of one whose name essentially means, “he rebelled”.

It is important to make this distinction, because human governments at their core are rebellions against God.

The Tower of Babel was a unified “one world” government.

(Genesis 11:1–6)

Genesis 11:1–6 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.

And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.

Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.”

They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar.

And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.

And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.

“let us make a name for ourselves” - the focus of man in promoting himself beyond and above God always manifests itself in these sorts of projects.

Note that God recognizes that this is not good for them.

It is never a good thing when nothing man proposes to do is withheld from him.

This lack of restraint; a complete embrace of the fulfillment of desires is what mankind continually aims for, even though it harms us endlessly.

God would later define that harm.

Human Government:

Takes Much from its Citizens (1 Samuel 8:4–18)

1 Samuel 8:4–18 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways.

Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.”

So Samuel prayed to the Lord.

And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.

According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also.

Now therefore, heed their voice.

However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”

So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked him for a king.

And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots.

He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.

He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.

And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants.

He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants.

And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work.

He will take a tenth of your sheep.

And you will be his servants.

And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.”

Is Tasked to Do Right (Romans 13:1–7)

Romans 13:1–7 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.

For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.

Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?

Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

For he is God’s minister to you for good.

But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.

For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.

Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Is to be Respected as God intends (1 Peter 2:13–17)

1 Peter 2:13–17 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

Honor all people.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honor the king.

Is to be Prayed for in light of Evangelism (1 Timothy 2:1–7)

1 Timothy 2:1–7 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

God’s government:

Makes all its citizens TRULY equal.

(1 Samuel 2:6–10)

1 Samuel 2:6–10 “The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up.

The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.

He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory.

“For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He has set the world upon them.

He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.

“For by strength no man shall prevail.

The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them.

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed.”

Provides TRUE safety and security.

(Psalm 84:8–12; Proverbs 14:26)

Psalm 84:8–12 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob!

Selah O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed.

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge.

Sits in condemnation of corrupt, harmful governments (Psalm 2; Revelation 18:4–8)