Theoddity

Strictly from our traditional Bible there’s no way of learning much more about the incident in Genesis than what we have here, a cryptic note about, more than likely, fallen angels getting their game on with some hotties. But, there is another source we can look to for answers. The complete story is found in The Book of Enoch. 

Who is Enoch? Back up in Genesis by a chapter and we’ll find a guy so close to God that God took him to heaven early without dying. The next time we see mention of him the author of Hebrews mentions that he was caught up to heaven by faith (Hebrews 11:5). Then we see that the author of Jude quotes Enoch (Jude 1:14 - 15)! How could the author of Jude quote Enoch? Because the book of Enoch was consider scripture to the early church. Some scholars also believe that Jesus quoted Enoch in Matthew 22:29-30 when he spoke about angels not giving and taking in marriage. What I find interesting is that Jesus says, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” What other scripture, in our current Bible, is there anything to do about angels and marriage? None that I can find.

So what does Enoch have to say about Genesis 6? It’s one of the scariest and in-depth look at angels I’ve ever read. And if it is accurate it opens the doors to a world that even Frank Peretti would have a hard time comprehending. 

Apparently, some of the fallen angels, led by one named Semjaza, do take women and have children with them. Then as God prepares to punish them, they go to Enoch, knowing that Enoch has the ear of the Lord, to ask him to beseech the Lord on their behalf. Can you imagine a demon coming to you for help? Weird!

So, of course, that doesn’t fly. The Semjaza is punished to be imprisoned under a large stone for 10,000 years. Odd isn’t it? And this is where I back peddle to the alien bit. How long has passed from this story? How old are the earliest stories in the Bible? 6,000 - 15,000 years old is about the agreed timeframe. Maybe, just 10,000 years. Maybe Semjaza has served his sentence and is back to his old tricks in the guise of extra-terrestrial life? 

Far fetched? Probably. But hey, I didn’t call this blog Theoddity for nothing.

From time to time I run into someone who asks me how I reconcile alien abduction with God, the Bible and everything. I usually point them to the HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy and go on my merry way. *snicker-snicker* But really, is there a Biblical explanation for alien abductions? Dare I try to find something at least similar to alien abduction in the Good Book? Double-dog dare me!? Fine, the gauntlet’s been thrown, here I go.

To find something similar to alien abductions in the Bible let’s first focus on what the alien abduction is, or claims it is. Let’s define it loosely as a human being physically taken, willingly or unwillingly, by beings unknown to ourselves for purposes beyond our knowing. Easy. 

But what goes on when someone is taken? The most common characteristic of the alien abduction is the medical/sexual exam. This often includes and focuses on reproductive organs and can include sex. eewww.

So, can I find somewhere in the Bible that describes something similar to this? Unfortunately, yes. Some of you know where I’m headed, that’s right, Genesis 6:1 - 4, that tiny little passage that makes us scratch our head like the end of a LOST episode. Here’s the script that really intrigues us, verse 4:

⁴ There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

So many questions spring to mind—but the first one we need to tackle is this: Who are the ’sons of God?’ If we check out some more script we find this term used in Job:

^1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.

 ^2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

^38:7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

I’d argue that it’s clear from these verses that the ’sons of God’ are angels. What are angels doing having sex and making babies? Now, it goes without saying, that the sons of God we’re talking about in Genesis 6 are fallen angels. But I’ll leave that for next week when I delve deeper into the issue in Jude and the mind-blowing book of Enoch. Stay tuned!

Sometimes while I’m reading the Bible I come across an odd tidbit that goes just beyond my understanding. They’re insights into a world we know very little about and what we do know are glimpses of something so much bigger. These small passages often stop me in my tracks and set me to day dreaming of the possibilities. This is one of those scriptures. It comes just after Jesus has cast a demon out of a mute person and defends himself against some who thought he was using the power of Beelzebub [Luke 11:19]

24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’

Jesus goes on to say that the unclean spirit brings with him seven more who are worse then himself in verse 25 but it’s verse 24 that really smashes me in the brain pan. Do you see it? A demon, coming out of a man, goes through dry places … where in world is that? 

Really, what does this mean? We always think of the Hollywood version of where demons hang out, they’re in hell chillin’ in fire and brimstone or they’re inspiring cults to give them sacrifices. Whatever. Jesus says they’re passing through dry places seeking rest and finding none. It’s like they’re roaming through a desert without a canteen. So they return to a body? And it feels good to them? 

Do you see where I’m going with this? From this small phrase that Jesus drops we begin to wonder just how much fallen angels are fascinated by humans that they take comfort or pleasure in being in our bodies and how miserable their plane of existence is without us—outside our bodies they seek comfort and find none. It also makes me wonder what other “place’s” lay beside us and all around us that we just can’t see.

And I wonder, these fallen angels, separated from God live in unrest and the only place they seem to find pleasure is by inhabiting man, who was made in God’s image. How strange. What more must we be then we see in ourselves?

How would you like to walk into a room where a demon possessed man thought very little of you? Check this little ditty from the new testament (Acts 19:13-16):

13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.

This sounds like one of those horror movies that are packed with demons, exorcisms and the obligatory catholic priest who gets his ass handed to him. 

Really, how is it that these Seven Sons of Sceva ever thought it would be cool to try and cast a demon out of a possessed man. Were they sitting around one day thinking of something to do when a friend came in and was like, “Whoa, you guys remember Tiberius? Well he’s so totally possessed over at Martha’s place. You gotta check it out!” 

You would think someone who represented God would do a little better than this wouldn’t you? These guys were Jewish Priests—holy men of God, supposedly.

It seems that demons know when someone comes at them backed by the power of God or not. Now I’ve never walked into a room with a demon possessed man, knock on wood, I hope I never do. But I have walked into other situations that I thought I was in complete control when, in actuality, I wasn’t. And I’ve paid dearly.

How many situations have you walked into thinking you had everything sorted out only to find out, too late, that you were horribly wrong? How can you be sure that you’re operating with the power of God behind you?

So Elijah has just been caught up in his chariots-of-fire like a whirlwind into heaven leaving Elisha, his servant and apprentice, as the new prophet for the nation of Israel. Within a few short days Elisha finds himself being taunted by a smattering of kids teasing him because he’s bald. Teasing the man of God, not wise. Check the passage (2 Kings 2:23-24):

23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. “Go on up, you baldhead!” they said. “Go on up, you baldhead!” 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths.(NIV)

Are you kidding me!? Since when did a bit of teasing rank the penalty of mauling-by-(not one but two) bears! Couldn’t Elisha have asked God for some Holy Rogaine instead of cursing the kids?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to know that in hot spot God’s got my back (I mean, I’m no man-of-God like a prophet but I’m still His peoples)—even if that hot spot is some lip service from the peanut gallery. But a bear curse seems to be just a tad on the over compensation side of things to me. 

I can’t help but contrast Elisha with Jesus—who once admonished his disciples for preventing children to reach him (Matthew 19:12-14). It really hits home that even though Elisha had so much power from God, proven by his many miracles (even his dead bones brought someone back to life! [2 Kings 13:20-21]), he still lacked Jesus’ love and compassion. Through Jesus we see the true heart of God seeks to redeem. 

So I guess the question is, are you using the power God gave you? Are you sending mauling bears into people’s lives or are you loving them?