This word means righteous. Just. Lawful.
We know it as the opposite of “wickedness,” but when it is shown to us first, it is shown in contrast to a word that means something different: Violence. Cruelty. Injustice.
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Genesis 6:8 (NIV)But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you.
Genesis 6:18 (NIV)
Genesis 6 clearly states that the world was entirely wicked, full of violence, every thought and intent was evil… except for Noah.
But God also saves Noah’s entire family: his wife, his sons, and his sons’ wives, despite them falling into the “entirely wicked” category.
What does this tell us?
These kings went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
Genesis14:2 (NIV)
Genesis 14 gives us a picture of war, and the rabbis tell us that the first 4 kings represent Empires, and the five kings represent wickedness.
ברע BERA —Evil (רע) towards God and evil towards mankind (Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 8).
ברשע BIRSHA — Because he rose by means of wickedness (רָשַׁע) (Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 8)).
שנאב SHINAB — He hated (שנא) his Father (אב) in heaven (Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 8)).
שמאבר SHEMEBER — He set his wings (שם אבר) to fly, flapping them to rebel against the Holy One, blessed be He (Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 8)).
Rashi on Genesis 14:2
Later we are told that God raises up Empires to punish wickedness, and that’s how this story plays out.
There is wisdom hidden here.
And the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) came out; and they lined up for battle against them in the Valley of Siddim, against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
Genesis 14:8-9 (NASB)
Genesis 14 describes a battle between two federations of kings, and it appears to teach us about how God deals with two kinds of evils.
Here is the set up: there are five kings that represent wickedness and rebellion, and there are 4 kings that represent Empires of man.
The rabbis say that the text is pretty plain on this: the names of the five evil kings all have names that mean wickedness and rebellion. The four empire kings can be seen as Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome.
What is happening in this story?
For starters, it helps to know that the wicked kings occupy the Promised Land. Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar are all in Canaan, whereas the Empire kings are other nations. Notice who wins the battle.
This is extremely important, because it sets up the lesson.
Israel ends up in the Promised Land, but they fail to drive out all the inhabitants. They begin to worship the idols of the people, and as a consequence, they grow wicked. God raises up Babylon to punish them. Several prophets mention this, but I like Habakkuk:
“Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.
I am raising up the Babylonians,
that ruthless and impetuous people,
who sweep across the whole earth
to seize dwellings not their own.
Habakuk 1:5-6
“Be amazed!”
It feels like God’s intent is to pour wrath on His people: the text goes on to address their explicit sins, and even the prophets wonder if God will go back on his promise to protect them. “How long, oh Lord?” they cry out as Babylon sieges them.
But it’s clear: God raised up Babylon to address the sin in the people. In the land. In our very hearts. This process is painful.
In Genesis 14, Abram’s nephew Lot is caught up in the war, captured by the Empire kings, and it seems dire.
And yet, by way of miracle, Abram and a band of 318 men pursue the Empire kings, and not only rescue Lot, but manage to reclaim all that was captured, and we see a message: God does preserve his people. Though he raised up Babylon, he does not intend to let his people die.
The Promised Land represents many things; one of them is our hearts. We recognize that our heart is our territory, and that it harbors wickedness at times. When evil grows too great, God uses external forces to teach us lessons. It hurts, but we grow.
But it’s also actual Empires and systems, and the story teaches how to view them correctly.
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1 (NIV)
And this makes what Paul says in Romans much clearer. Paul is coming to the same conclusion: Empire is raised up by God.
It’s raised up specifically to address the kings of wickedness in the land, and in our hearts.
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.
Romans 13:4 (NKJV)
This doesn’t mean “government is good.” God has much to say against Babylon.
But we know that God rescues his people from Empire, and God will rescue you.
The shift for me here is that empire does represent bondage and slavery, and these things are definitely not good. But they are not the same as “wickedness,” which is also not good, but they are different, and treated differently in the text.
The last time this kind of wickedness was described, God was grieved that He made humanity. In His grief, He ended their misery.
I think we have to view what is going to happen here the same way. It’s meant to be seen as a parallel.
But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.
Genesis 13:13 (NKJV)
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
Genesis 13:13 (NKJV)