I set out writing this blog to make sense of history, especially history that contradicted my bible thinking. For many years I had an “us or them” mentality, whether the Christians were right or science was right. I chose to think the Christians were right, but I was wrong. While I believe that humanity is 6,000 years old, there is a fundamental problem. We have buildings and structures that were destroyed over 9,000 years ago, built long before that. The only way to settle that is to close your eyes to buildings and structures all over the world that were not nor could not have been built in the last 6,000 yrs. I did that for a while but I couldn’t ignore archeology. I then recognized that the bible explains these controversies very nicely in Genesis 1:2. I always get people who say in a prideful authoritative voice “that’s not what that means”. So I feel quite obligated to ask them ‘what then does it mean?’ To which they never have an answer, because they heard someone once say something, but it wasn’t confirmed or backed up in light of scripture. So I then am once again obligated to comment that they then must believe Jeremiah was a false prophet. To which there is great anger and frustration in the individual I’m speaking with. It is stupid to have this kind of a conversation. The fact is if the bible is correct then the earth became without form and it became void. It didn’t start that way. Just because humanity can be traced from Adam to present, approximately 6,000 years, does not mean the earth is only 6,000 years old. In fact it is way older and there were other civilizations prior to ours. Now science and Christianity can hold hands again and be friends. The bible always had it written that way, but we did not hear it taught that way, so we pushed everyone else away and cloistered ourselves in a false perspective. Unless we throw out Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Job we cannot reconcile a 6,000 year earth history from the bible. We live in a world without end, but the end of the age is upon us, and a new heaven and earth will one day be our dwelling. Christian Scientists are now saying that the earth is 10,000 years old, this is their way of reconciling the evidence but now they have forsaken the bible’s timeline. That’s foolish because there is written history that dates back prior to 10,000 years ago, civilizations with highly advanced technologies. The bible is not wrong, and neither is Science.
One of the reasons I don’t have a problem with the old earth idea is that, as I’ve written before, we are not the center of the story. Long before Adam was created on earth there were other created beings, the sons of God. We are limited in what we know about them, but what we do know is that there were some disobedient ones. They did some things wrong. One was prideful and wanted to be worshipped, later others wanted to create offspring with earth women. And again later some may have been further disobedient in creating offspring with earth women after the flood of Noah. There was contention, rivalry, mutiny, and treason before Adam was created and after Adam was created. We are not the center of the story at all. We may have heard it taught that we are the greatest, best, most wonderful created beings but we are not. Compared to Angels, Seraphs’, and Cherubs’, we are not particularly spectacular at all, however we were made to be above them in authority. Yet we hardly know that or utilize that today. Nonetheless, there was a story going on far longer than the children of Adam, inhabiting the world for the last 6,000 years. We are a side note to a bigger picture. Therefore it is not hard to imagine other civilizations having lived on earth before something cataclysmic took place. Read previous blogs for the details on these things. The reason I bring this up is because we are starting to enter a time when angels were helping out Abraham in most peculiar ways. And they possessed a technology that we only developed for ourselves less than 100 years ago.
If we remember, Cherdorlaomer was the king that defeated Nimrod. He was the one who Nimrod probably dreamt about but confused it with Abraham, which is why Noah and Terah and Abraham agreed that Abraham needed to leave for Ur. We also discussed the problem with a patriarchal society, as having to always dominate others, and that is where we come to war in the land. The most dominate guy, who already overcame some of the kings of the region made those kings and their people go to war with him so that he could dominate more cities. 800,000 men went to make war with the kings in the region of Sodom. I’d like to point out that at this time the kings of Sodom were not ruling horribly so that God would want to wipe them out, because as we will see, they were restored until a later time when they were destroyed by God. And when God wipes out a society, he wipes it out!
Abraham hears about the war, and he promised Lot to protect him, and goes to battle with 318 men. If there were 800,000 men on one side of the battle with the first group of guys, and Abraham saddles up with 300, it would seem like they could be easily defeated.
7 And Abram heard this, and he rose up with about three hundred and eighteen men that were with him, and he that night pursued these kings and smote them, and they all fell before Abram and his men, and there was none remaining but the four kings who fled, and they went each his own road. 8 And Abram recovered all the property of Sodom, and he also recovered Lot and his property, his wives and little ones and all belonging to him, so that Lot lacked nothing.
Lot had wives, plural, and little ones. It sounds like Lot had a few wives and a bunch of babies. Now we come to Shem, Melchizedek. Who has “men” of his own. I get the idea that in those days a person was important by the number of servants they had. Melchizedek was a High Priest of God and as previously written of, his is the priesthood that we are part of, being of Christ.
9 And when he returned from smiting these kings, he and his men passed the valley of Siddim where the kings had made war together. 10 And Bera king of Sodom, and the rest of his men that were with him, went out from the lime pits into which they had fallen, to meet Abram and his men.11 And Adonizedek king of Jerusalem, the same was Shem, went out with his men to meet Abram and his people, with bread and wine, and they remained together in the valley of Melech. 12 And Adonizedek blessed Abram, and Abram gave him a tenth from all that he had brought from the spoil of his enemies, for Adonizedek was a priest before God. 13 And all the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah who were there, with their servants, approached Abram and begged of him to return them their servants whom he had made captive, and to take unto himself all the property.
The kings who were defeated only wanted their servants back, not their property. They seemed to have a higher regard for the people then the possessions. All Abraham wanted was payment for the service of his men, and that was it.
14 And Abram answered the kings of Sodom, saying, As the Lord liveth who created heaven and earth, and who redeemed my soul from all affliction, and who delivered me this day from my enemies, and gave them into my hand, I will not take anything belonging to you, that you may not boast tomorrow, saying, Abram became rich from our property that he saved. 15 For the Lord my God in whom I trust said unto me, Thou shalt lack nothing, for I will bless thee in all the works of thy hands.16 And now therefore behold, here is all belonging to you, take it and go; as the Lord liveth I will not take from you from a living soul down to a shoetie or thread, excepting the expense of the food of those who went out with me to battle, as also the portions of the men who went with me, Anar, Ashcol, and Mamre, they and their men, as well as those also who had remained to watch the baggage, they shall take their portion of the spoil.17 And the kings of Sodom gave Abram according to all that he had said, and they pressed him to take of whatever he chose, but he would not.18 And he sent away the kings of Sodom and the remainder of their men, and he gave them orders about Lot, and they went to their respective places.19 And Lot, his brother's son, he also sent away with his property, and he went with them, and Lot returned to his home, to Sodom, and Abram and his people returned to their home to the plains of Mamre, which is in Hebron.
Josephus’ account makes a few different points.
Josephus CHAPTER 9. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SODOMITES BY THE ASSYRIAN WALL.
AT this time, when the Assyrians had the dominion over Asia, the people of Sodom were in a flourishing condition, both as to riches and the number of their youth. There were five kings that managed the affairs of this county: Ballas, Barsas, Senabar, and Sumobor, with the king of Bela; and each king led on his own troops: and the Assyrians made war upon them; and, dividing their army into four parts, fought against them. Now every part of the army had its own commander; and when the battle was joined, the Assyrians were conquerors, and imposed a tribute on the kings of the Sodomites, who submitted to this slavery twelve years; and so long they continued to pay their tribute: but on the thirteenth year they rebelled, and then the army of the Assyrians came upon them, under their commanders Amraphel, Arioch, Chodorlaomer, and Tidal. These kings had laid waste all Syria, and overthrown the offspring of the giants.
The Kings led by Chedorlaomer/Chodorlaomer laid waste to Syria and they overthrew the offspring of the giants. The offspring of the giants were the result of the Angels who came to earth and took wives. Their offspring were called the Nephilim. Genesis tells us that before the flood the Nephilim were on the earth in those days and that they were in the earth after the flood. We know that they were not all wiped out by the flood as there were some left in Canaan when the Israelites wanted to enter the land.
And when they were come over against Sodom, they pitched their camp at the vale called the Slime Pits, for at that time there were pits in that place; but now, upon the destruction of the city of Sodom, that vale became the Lake Asphaltites, as it is called. However, concerning this lake we shall speak more presently. Now when the Sodomites joined battle with the Assyrians, and the fight was very obstinate, many of them were killed, and the rest were carried captive; among which captives was Lot, who had come to assist the Sodomites.
CHAPTER 10.HOW ABRAM FOUGHT WITH THE ASSYRIANS, AND OVERCAME THEM, AND SAVED THE SODOMITE PRISONERS, AND TOOK FROM THE ASSYRIANS THE PREY THEY HAD GOTTEN.
1. WHEN, Abram heard of their calamity, he was at once afraid for Lot his kinsman, and pitied the Sodomites, his friends and neighbors; and thinking it proper to afford them assistance, he did not delay it, but marched hastily, and the fifth night fell upon the Assyrians, near Dan, for that is the name of the other spring of Jordan; and before they could arm themselves, he slew some as they were in their beds, before they could suspect any harm; and others, who were not yet gone to sleep, but were so drunk they could not fight, ran away. Abram pursued after them, till, on the second day, he drove them in a body unto Hoba, a place belonging to Damascus; and thereby demonstrated that victory does not depend on multitude and the number of hands, but the alacrity and courage of soldiers overcome the most numerous bodies of men, while he got the victory over so great an army with no more than three hundred and eighteen of his servants, and three of his friends: but all those that fled returned home ingloriously.
Again Josephus reiterates that Abraham only had 318 men to fight. Melchizedek/Shem is again spoken of
2. So Abram, when he had saved the captive Sodomites, who had been taken by the Assyrians, and Lot also, his kinsman, returned home in peace. Now the king of Sodom met him at a certain place, which they called The King's Dale, where Melchisedec, king of the city Salem, received him. That name signifies, the righteous king: and such he was, without dispute, insomuch that, on this account, he was made the priest of God: however, they afterward called Salem Jerusalem. Now this Melchisedec supplied Abram's army in an hospitable manner, and gave them provisions in abundance; and as they were feasting, he began to praise him, and to bless God for subduing his enemies under him. And when Abram gave him the tenth part of his prey, he accepted of the gift: but the king of Sodom desired Abram to take the prey, but entreated that he might have those men restored to him whom Abram had saved from the Assyrians, because they belonged to him. But Abram would not do so; nor would make any other advantage of that prey than what his servants had eaten; but still insisted that he should afford a part to his friends that had assisted him in the battle. The first of them was called Eschol, and then Enner, and Mambre.
Back to Jasher
Jasher 16:20 At that time the Lord again appeared to Abram in Hebron, and he said to him, Do not fear, thy reward is very great before me, for I will not leave thee, until I shall have multiplied thee, and blessed thee and made thy seed like the stars in heaven, which cannot be measured nor numbered.21 And I will give unto thy seed all these lands that thou seest with thine eyes, to them will I give them for an inheritance forever, only be strong and do not fear, walk before me and be perfect.
Josephus:
Josephus 10:3. And God commended his virtue, and said, Thou shalt not however lose the rewards thou hast deserved to receive by such thy glorious actions. He answered, And what advantage will it be to me to have such rewards, when I have none to enjoy them after me? - for he was hitherto childless. And God promised that he should have a son, and that his posterity should be very numerous; insomuch that their number should be like the stars. When he heard that, he offered a sacrifice to God, as he commanded him. The manner of the sacrifice was this : - He took an heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram in like manner of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a pigeon (19) and as he was enjoined, he divided the three former, but the birds he did not divide. After which, before he built his altar, where the birds of prey flew about, as desirous of blood, a Divine voice came to him, declaring that their neighbors would be grievous to his posterity, when they should be in Egypt, for four hundred years; (20) during which time they should be afflicted, but afterwards should overcome their enemies, should conquer the Canaanites in war, and possess themselves of their land, and of their cities.
Here we see Abraham conversing with God, in Jasher, we hear what God says, but Abraham did some talking to God about his situation. He says in short, “so what if I have rewards when I don’t have an heir”. Interestingly, God tells him that all the folks in the kingdoms around him would be a problem to his progeny and that they would go into Egypt for 400 years. But then they will come out of Egypt, eventually conquer the Canaanites and possess the land.
Back to Jasher
Jasher 16:22 And in the seventy-eighth year of the life of Abram, in that year died Reu, the son of Peleg, and all the days of Reu were two hundred and thirty-nine years, and he died.23 And Sarai, the daughter of Haran, Abram's wife, was still barren in those days; she did not bear to Abram either son or daughter. 24 And when she saw that she bare no children she took her handmaid Hagar, whom Pharaoh had given her, and she gave her to Abram her husband for a wife. 25 For Hagar learned all the ways of Sarai as Sarai taught her, she was not in any way deficient in following her good ways.26 And Sarai said to Abram, Behold here is my handmaid Hagar, go to her that she may bring forth upon my knees, that I may also obtain children through her. 27And at the end of ten years of Abram's dwelling in the land of Canaan, which is the eighty-fifth year of Abram's life, Sarai gave Hagar unto him.28 And Abram hearkened to the voice of his wife Sarai, and he took his handmaid Hagar and Abram came to her and she conceived.29 And when Hagar saw that she had conceived she rejoiced greatly, and her mistress was despised in her eyes, and she said within herself, This can only be that I am better before God than Sarai my mistress, for all the days that my mistress has been with my lord, she did not conceive, but me the Lord has caused in so short a time to conceive by him.30 And when Sarai saw that Hagar had conceived by Abram, Sarai was jealous of her handmaid, and Sarai said within herself, This is surely nothing else but that she must be better than I am.31 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee, for at the time when thou didst pray before the Lord for children why didst thou not pray on my account, that the Lord should give me seed from thee?32 And when I speak to Hagar in thy presence, she despiseth my words, because she has conceived, and thou wilt say nothing to her; may the Lord judge between me and thee for what thou hast done to me.33 And Abram said to Sarai, Behold thy handmaid is in thy hand, do unto her as it may seem good in thy eyes; and Sarai afflicted her, and Hagar fled from her to the wilderness.34 And an angel of the Lord found her in the place where she had fled, by a well, and he said to her, Do not fear, for I will multiply thy seed, for thou shalt bear a son and thou shalt call his name Ishmael; now then return to Sarai thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.35And Hagar called the place of that well Beer-lahai-roi, it is between Kadesh and the wilderness of Bered.36 And Hagar at that time returned to her master's house, and at the end of days Hagar bare a son to Abram, and Abram called his name Ishmael; and Abram was eighty-six years old when he begat him.
Josephus says it was God’s plan to have Hagar give birth to Abraham’s first son. I’m curious about that as I don’t see that comment in the Bible, or in Jubilees. We can consider why Josephus says that this was God’s plan and we may consider that he is right as Abraham later has six more sons after Sarah’s death.
Josephus 10:4. Now Abram dwelt near the oak called Ogyges,--the place belongs to Canaan, not far from the city of Hebron. But being uneasy at his wife's barrenness, he entreated God to grant that he might have male issue; and God required of him to be of good courage, and said that he would add to all the rest of the benefits that he had bestowed upon him, ever since he led him out of Mesopotamia, the gift of children. Accordingly Sarai, at God's command, brought to his bed one of her handmaidens, a woman of Egyptian descent, in order to obtain children by her; and when this handmaid was with child, she triumphed, and ventured to affront Sarai, as if the dominion were to come to a son to be born of her. But when Abram resigned her into the hand of Sarai, to punish her, she contrived to fly away, as not able to bear the instances of Sarai's severity to her; and she entreated God to have compassion on her. Now a Divine Angel met her, as she was going forward in the wilderness, and bid her return to her master and mistress, for if she would submit to that wise advice, she would live better hereafter; for that the reason of her being in such a miserable case was this, that she had been ungrateful and arrogant towards her mistress. He also told her, that if she disobeyed God, and went on still in her way, she should perish; but if she would return back, she should become the mother of a son who should reign over that country. These admonitions she obeyed, and returned to her master and mistress, and obtained forgiveness. A little while afterwards, she bare Ismael; which may be interpreted Heard of God, because God had heard his mother's prayer.
5. The forementioned son was born to Abram when he was eighty-six years old: but when he was ninety-nine, God appeared to him, and promised him that he Should have a son by Sarai, and commanded that his name should be Isaac; and showed him, that from this son should spring great nations and kings, and that they should obtain all the land of Canaan by war, from Sidon to Egypt. But he charged him, in order to keep his posterity unmixed with others, that they should be circumcised in the flesh of their foreskin, and that this should be done on the eighth day after they were born: the reason of which circumcision I will explain in another place. And Abram inquiring also concerning Ismael, whether he should live or not, God signified to him that he should live to be very old, and should be the father of great nations. Abram therefore gave thanks to God for these blessings; and then he, and all his family, and his son Ismael, were circumcised immediately; the son being that day thirteen years of age, and he ninety-nine.
God promises Abraham a son by Sarah at 99 years old. Also God says that his grand children by Sarah would gain the land of Canaan by war. So as not to mix them up they were to circumcise the male children on the eighth day, not the women, not later in life but early on. That would distinguish them from others and that they wouldn’t mix with other peoples. This is why Paul later writes there is no circumcision or un-circumcision, because we can mix among people as all who call on the name of the Lord are saved unto Him and a spiritual son of Abraham.
