A Trained Professional XII: Hunting High and Low

The twelfth job mentioned in the bible. Only two human Bible characters are named as being hunters. Metaphorically and allegorically both God and Satan are compared to a hunter, but I initially focus on humans. Nimrod was a mighty hunter before the Lord (Genesis 10:9); and Esau was a cunning, or skillful, hunter (Genesis 25:27; 27:30).When Nimrod, the figure of Biblical antiquity who owed his notoriety to his wickedness was labeled a mighty hunter "before the Lord" it did not mean he was in humble service to God. This passage is better understood if we read the 1st century Jewish historian Josephus’ translation of the passage, "He did evil against the Lord." The word ‘before’ is like the word πρός / pros or ‘in the face of’ and can mean "opposition/opposed to" (Numbers 16:2).

This description is meant to be an affront to God or be understood to denote an intensification of his cruelty and oppression to others. He was literally notoriously bad. He did not act obscurely or privately, but openly and in the face of the sun, imposing his government without respect to men or dread of an all-seeing Divinity (Genesis 6:11; 13:13). He was not unlike our godless leaders today. There was and is no fear of God before Nimrod’s eyes.

So, Nimrod is said plainly to be 'mighty' upon the earth, which is by any means to be understood as his rule over men, likely in an aggressive manner" (1 Chronicles 1:10).Nimrod reveled in his worldly strength, illicitly using it for immoral purposes. As a hunter, he abused his craft violently to oppress and vanquish men. The irony with Nimrod was that although he attained expertise hunting animals, it was he that behaved more like a beast than a human being. A monstrosity of a man.

The fact that he hunted men had its purpose. In order to fulfill his ambitious desire, namely, the conquest of other people, all other considerations became secondary to such a dishonorable purpose in life. Nimrod’s name literally means, "He will revolt.” In a time when the name of a person indicated the nature of a person, this is not surprising. He was a form of antichrist, or one who aspired to be the leader of a revolution against God’s authority. His feet were quick to shed blood (Isaiah 59, Romans 3). The very sign of a man who doesn’t fear God. We would be wise to look around us today to see many the same as Nimrod. People who seek to use force and violence to subjugate people to their will. Some things never change, especially human nature.

It’s important to realize that there are people currently in this world that desire to subjugate you and force you to align in behavior and thought to their way of thinking and acting. They will do it through force, fear or any other means available to them. We see it in the media. We see it in the government. We need to be constantly aware that these systems are firmly rooted in the ‘system of the world’ not of God. 

The most common entry point into our lives was our minds via slow attrition and subtle barely perceptible shifts into immorality. The movements are no longer subtle and that is why more people are seeing them with their own eyes. For some it confused them, others it pushes them deeper into the world or towards God. Dividing lines are clearly being drawn. Unfortunately, many do not have a biblical worldview in which to categorize the actions which are immoral and evil and they begin to collapse mentally.

Nimrod as ruler commissioned the construction of the Tower of Babel, and that identification solidified his reputation as a king against God. Nimrod’s plans, however, were frustrated by the miracle of the confusion of tongues (Genesis 10:5, 18,25). In this way the wickedness Nimrod was shut down by God and Nimrod exist history at that point.

Then we have the only other mention of a hunter by vocation. In ancient times hunting was regarded as an art of highest importance. Ishmael, Abraham’s son by an unsanctioned union with Hagar the handmaiden of Abraham's wife Sarah became an archer and lived on the produce of his bow and arrow (Genesis 21:20); and Esau was skillful in the "chase" (Genesis25:27). Wild animals and birds were appreciated as food (Leviticus 17:13; Hosea 9:8).

In terms of game, when hunting was no longer a necessity, Israelites still hunted for the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the ibex and the wild goat. (Deuteronomy 12:22; 14:5), as well as for the destruction of wild beasts threatening the tribe(s). (Deuteronomy 12:15; I Kings 13:24;Proverbs 28:15). While hunting is not conspicuous in the literature of the Hebrews, the records of other great nations have numerous references to such an occupation. It is worthy of note that, although the Bible does not mention the hunting dog, it was familiar to Josephus the 1sr century Jewish historian.

In metaphorical and allegorical language, we have many comparisons in Scripture to note. Those who God uses to fulfill His purpose are referred to as "hunters"(Jeremiah 16:16). Enemies of the righteous are likewise spoken of in the same way (Job 10:16; Proverbs 6:26; Micah 7:2). The satanic hunter, the devil, always lies in wait to plunder the divine flock. He often uses flaming darts or arrows on his prey which is why we are encouraged to wear spiritual armor. The arrows being negative thoughts, doubts, temptations, anxieties and fears, lust and guilt.

All who are the Lord’s are his prey. A hunter correctly understood is one that pursues or eagerly follows after his objective. Unwearied in the chase, he is satisfied when he has caught his intended individual. The same can be said of the Devil, whose game are the godly and ungodly alike. He is never weary of such pursuit, nor weary in it. Hunters usually hunt for recreation and not out of any hatred for the creatures they hunt. The same cannot be said of the devil. He hunts the souls of men out of implacable hatred he bears towards them, and also the hatred of God who seeks to bless those who the devil would destroy if he could…but God will not allow it. God of course is the perfect hunter and will get to those He wishes to find and accept Him long before the Devil even knows the hunt is afoot.

The hunting attributed to God can be when He inflicts those punishments upon the ungodly who had first inflicted the hunt or abuses upon the godly. "He shall hunt them" (Psalm 140:5, 10, 11). Here "to hunt" means to chase to a precipice or to overthrow as Native Americans used to do to buffalo. (Habakkuk 2:17).

In terms of hunting implements that were used we can generally list them as there are many. There were nets, bow and arrow, pitfalls, snares, traps, gins, slings and clubs. The irony being many of these are used to figuratively to expose the desires of the wicked (Job41:19; Psalms 9:15; 25:15; 35:7; 142:3). To explain all the metaphors drawn from hunting, huntsmen, their traps and their victims would be a daunting task. I would refer readers to Biblical books that specifically deal with phrases of speech, metaphor and allegory in the Bible.