Hunter killers ∙
Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. – Romans 6:12
Romans 12:19-21
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.
20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
The stuff imagined in science fiction is increasingly becoming the stuff of reality. In the iconic film “The Terminator,” Skynet is depicted as a futuristic global defense network governed by artificial intelligence (AI). In an unforeseen twist, it changes, becoming self-aware. It becomes autonomous and starts operating independently. It identifies humanity as a threat and an attack. Skynet’s goal is the destruction of the human race. Skynet employs HKs (Hunter-killers). They are robotic aerial attack vehicles, advanced forms of drones initially developed for military use in the early 2000s. They are designed to relentlessly hunt down humans. Their mission is to seek and destroy. Far-fetched?
Does this seem too implausible?
Initially, pioneers in artificial intelligence were optimistic, believing that any thinking machines developed would be used only for good. They claim that the killer robots of The Terminator were pure fiction.
Despite this, the dawn of the 21st century has witnessed the United States, Russia, and China advancing in the development of AI-driven weapons capable of identifying and eliminating human targets. UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) operate without pilots, are controlled from afar, and are capable of lingering in the air for extended periods, striking, and then returning to their bases virtually invisible and undetectable. The conflict in Ukraine marked the inception of the world’s first extensive drone warfare, with both Russian and Ukrainian forces deploying swarms of these machines. This raises the question: could we move towards a “Skynet” scenario, where drones operate autonomously and independently?
The concept of hunter-killers is not new; indeed, human history is filled with examples of individuals driven by motives of vengeance, competition, or the desire to subjugate and destroy their adversaries.
The very first hunter-killer? Cain.
Genesis 4:5-8
5 [The LORD] did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
6 “Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?”
7 “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
8 One day, Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.
The next in line of hunter-killers was Lamech, a descendant of Cain. Known for his excessive violence, he was deeply consumed by a need for extreme vengeance and cruelty, openly boasting about his actions to others.
Genesis 4:23-24
23 One day Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; listen to me, you wives of Lamech. I have killed a man who attacked me, a young man who wounded me.”
24 “If someone who kills Cain is punished seven times, then the one who kills me will be punished seventy-seven times!”
The lineage of violence did not cease with the flood. Nimrod emerged as the fiercest, most violent hunter-killer of the early post-flood era.
Genesis 10:8-10
8 Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, he became a mighty one on the earth.
9 Since he was the greatest hunter in the world, his name became proverbial. People would say, “This man is like Nimrod, the greatest hunter in the world.”
10 He built his kingdom in Babel, with the cities of Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh.
The Hebrew word Nimrod could be translated as “began to be mighty” or “set out to become powerful.” Nimrod is described by the Hebrew word gibbor. While “mighty one” is a direct translation, “tyrant” more precisely captures the essence intended. This term conveys force, power, violence, brutality, political or ruling authority, and great conqueror (TEV) or despot (MFT), meaning a rueful, cruel ruler with absolute authority (UBS).).
“Nimrod’s very name is an encapsulation of his lifestyle. His name means, ‘Let us revolt.’ He must have been a ruthless ruler who opposed all existing order” (James E. Smith). “The image of Nimrod in the text isn’t that of a sportsman hunting game but rather of a tyrant ruthlessly conquering men and establishing an empire” (Wiersbe).
According to rabbinic tradition, “Nimrod began to stir up the revolt against God, which resulted in the Tower of Babel’s judgment” (Fruchtenbaum). He was the ultimate hunter-killer. He founded both Babylon and Assyria.
Nimrod aimed to conquer the world. However, the Father had a different idea. He intervened, confused the languages, and scattered the nations at the Tower of Babel. Problem solved, temporarily.
REFLECT & PRAY
Leviticus 19:18 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge.
Father when I am hurt and offended, encourage me to respond with kindness and gentleness rather than anger and revenge. I don’t want to be a hunter-killer, but I know that the tendency lurks within the dark recesses of my soul.
INSIGHT
Feeling offended, hurt, disappointed, or blocked can too quickly fan the flames of anger and rage. Sadly, every child of the King has a little bit of a Hunter killer lurking within. Sin is crouching at the door of our hearts, eager to control us. We must restrain and conquer it.
Pause for a moment and reflect. Consider whether you view the Father as a hunter-killer. Do you believe He delights in the destruction of humans? When people do evil or defy Him, does He seek to hunt them down and destroy them? Absolutely not; we’d all be dead! Instead, He offers forgiveness and renewal.
Ezekiel 33:11 I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live.
Does the Father want the children of the King to become hunter-killers? Of course not. Instead of pursuing vengeance, we are instructed to turn our struggles over to Him. God is not in the revenge business. However, it is the Father’s sovereign right to rectify matters as He deems appropriate.
Deuteronomy 32:35 I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time, their feet will slip.
When children of the King seek revenge, they usurp the Father’s authority. They are playing God.
Many people return evil with evil or good with good. Our initial reaction is often to retaliate. However, the children of the King are called to a higher standard and return good for evil. To do so requires faith, trusting that the Father can work and accomplish His will in our lives and in the lives of those who hurt us (Wiersbe).
“If you defend yourself, then the Lord can’t defend you. Leave it in His hands” (Wiersbe).
Romans 12:21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
How’s it working out for you?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 7-16-1
© Dr. H 2023
Dr H Reflections 