Genesis Lecture 50 (The Four Big Rivers)
Bible passage: Genesis 2:11-14
[11] "The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. [12] The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. [13] The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush. [14] The name of the third river is Tigris; it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates."
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
This is the 50th lecture on Genesis.
God Himself created the four big rivers on Earth. The water that formed these rivers came down from Eden in the second heaven. God opened the windows of second heaven and poured the water down to four different places on Earth to form the four big rivers. As the time went by after the 6-days of creation, other rivers were formed naturally, too. But what is the reason that God Himself specifically made these four rivers- It is because these four rivers would become the main stage for human cultivation serving as the cradle of human civilization.
From now, let me briefly explain the spiritual meanings and rough location of those four rivers. In the commentaries and other books, they interpret the meanings of the names based on the meanings of the Hebrew, the original language of the Bible. Of course, we can take into consideration the meaning of Hebrew words. But we can say we know the complete meaning only after we understand the spiritual meaning that God gave to these rivers. Also, there are some people who try to find the Garden of Eden or the source of these four rivers on Earth. But the Garden of Eden and the source of four rivers are located not on Earth, but in second heaven. No matter how much research they do with cutting-edge technology, they will never be able to find either of them on the Earth. The spiritual world is in a completely different dimension from the physical world.
Now, let us look into the first river. Genesis 2:11-12 says, "The name of the first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. [12] The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The literal meaning of the first river 'Pishon' is to flow abundantly. But God explained to us that Pishon also has the meaning of connecting a continent with a continent and to open a way between continents. If we know the location of Pishon we will understand why God said that. It says Pishon is around the whole land of Havilah. Havilah is near India today. India was formed centered on the Indus River, which is one of the four cradles of civilization. As you look at the map, you can find that Indus River is in the central part between Asia and Europe. The ancient East-West trade Route, known as the "Silk Road" developed around this river.
The Pishon that God made is not exactly the same as Indus River today. With the passage of the time the river's flow has changed greatly. But, the rough location is similar to that of Indus River today. So, as you see the location, I think you can understand that the meaning of the name is to 'connect a continent with another continent and to open a way between continents'. It also says that in the land of Havila, there are gold, the bdellium, and the onyx stone. Here, the bdellim is a precious spice. Josephus, a famous Jewish historian, also said bdellium is a very expensive spice coming from India, Arabia, and Babylon. Onyx stone is a precious stone. Havilah was a land where gold, precious spice and precious stones were produced.
Then, why did God write in the Bible that the land of Havilah produced gold, bdellium, and onyx stone- It is to foreshadow that this land would be breeding ground of idolatry. Here, a 'breeding ground' refers to a place where certain phenomena, ideas, or powers develop and grow. This land of Havilah is the breeding ground of idolatry. And from this land, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism developed. The followers of these religions make idols and burn incenses before them. Some research materials say there are 330 million gods in Hindu myths. There are so many kinds of idols. The people of this land are always having rituals for idols. God foreknew that the land of Havilah, around which the Pishon flows, would become the breeding ground for idolatry. As said in Genesis 2:11 "… it flows around the whole land of Havilah," Pishon was a big river flowing around a wide area.
So, we can see that the culture of idolatry also developed across a wide area. Brothers and sisters, why did God make such a big river knowing that idolatry would be rampant in the land of Havilah- Had he not made the river there, people wouldn't have gathered there and they wouldn't have created so many idols. But there is a reason why God did it. God wanted to accomplish human cultivation in perfect justice. Psalm 96:4-5 says, "For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. [5] For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens." As written, God is the only God who is worthy to be praised and worshipped. But Lucifer and evil spirits also want to receive worship from men.
They entice people and cause them to think that there are many other gods. Though all other gods are false and nothing, Satan deceives many people into serving them. Serving other gods is actually to serve Lucifer and evil spirits. God could have prevented these meaningless gods and idols from being made in the first place. So, why didn't He just get rid of them- Even though there are so many other empty and meaningless gods on this earth, God wanted the people to understand that there is only one true God. God wanted the people to seek and meet God through their freewill. What if there were no other false gods- Even though people serve God, it is not completely out of their freewill. If there is only one God who exists, people would only have to serve the one God without having to discern between the one true God and all of the false gods. If this was the case, Lucifer could have protested to God saying it's not fair. It means God is on more favorable terms with people than Lucifer.
This is not right according to justice. So, God did not stop such environments from being formed, and they would serve as the breeding grounds of idolatry. God wanted the people to serve the only true God alone, even though there would be so many false gods. The reason why God began human cultivation is because He wanted to gain true children who seek and believe in God through their freewill. There are people who recognize and distinguish the only true God and believe in Him whereas there are also so many people who serve false gods. Idolatry sometimes prevailed even among the chosen people of God, the Israelites. And every time, God showed that He is the only true God through His prophets. He pleaded with the people to cast away false gods and come back to Him. He sometimes spoke with the heart of a father whose children are taken away, or with the heart of a husband whose wife is taken away. Isaiah 1:2-3 says, "Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the LORD speaks, "Sons I have reared and brought up, but they have revolted against Me. [3] "An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master's manger, but Israel does not know, My people do not understand."
Hosea 2:19-20 says, "I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD. While giving the above message to the people through the prophets, He also proved that He is the only true God by showing the amazing and powerful works. For example, during the reign of King Ahab when the idolatry was most prevalent, there was a battle to show who the true God is. Elijah stood alone against the 850 priests of the gentile's gods.
They competed to see who could bring down fire from heaven and burn the sacrifices. Baal and Ashera, gods that the 850 priests served, could not bring down any fire for they were false gods. But the Lord God almighty of Elijah sent the fire. 1 King 18:39 says, "When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God." God showed that He is the true God at different times through His prophets. However, when Israel still did not listen, God turned His face away from them. The result was war, famine, disease, and other forms of trials that came upon them. When they had unbearable pain in trials, they sought God again. Then, God healed and restored Israel. Even today, God shows that He is the Creator and the true God through His servants. Only God controls life and death; and blessing and curses.
The power to create things from nothing also belongs to God alone. Psalm 62:11 says, "Once God has spoken; twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God." Lucifer has the power to lead people to sin, but not the power of creation. Devil can give tests and trials to sinners, but is not able to give life and happiness. Therefore, those who have goodness and truth in heart will seek the one true God and serve Him although there are many gods in this world. God takes these people who come before Him as His children and gives them eternal life and Heaven. Genesis 2:13 mentions the name of the second river and a brief description of its location. It says, "the name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush." The literal meaning of 'Gihon' is to be full and overflow. The spiritual meaning is to boast and to take pride. Why did God attach such a meaning to this river- It's because He foreknew that the civilization from this river would be excellent. And it says Gihon flows around the whole land of Cush. It also flowed over a wide area just like the first river Pishon.
Then, where is Cush- Cush is Ethiopia today, but the Cush in the Bible is a wider area than Ethiopia. They consider the whole area between the Nile and the Red Sea as 'Cush'. Today, the Nile is flowing around this area. Nile is formed by the combination of many headwaters. First, the White Nile from Sudan and the Blue Nile from Ethiopia come together. Then, another branch from Ethiopia, Atbara River joins it. When the Nile enters into Egypt, there are no more tributaries. It flows northward and reaches the Mediterranean. We can see that the river originating from Cush is an important source of the Nile River. Here, the river that starts from Cush is the Gihon in the Bible. Of course, the river today is very different from when God first made it. Where big rivers flow into the sea, the sediments of the river form a delta. The delta area is very fertile, and many animals and plants can live on and around it. It is also very useful for men. Above all, it is very good for farming.
It has a lot of fresh water and it is also close to the sea. That is why the cities and civilizations formed around delta areas. And, the Delta of Nile River is the biggest in the world. Around this Nile Delta is located Cairo, the capital city of Egypt as well as Alexandria, the second biggest city of Egypt. Also, the Egyptian civilization is the oldest civilization of the world. It is said that it began around 3,200 BC and flourished for about 3,000 years. This Egyptian civilization had a more splendid civilization than any other on Earth. So, we can see some amazing relics of Egyptian civilization. Most famous ones are the pyramids and the Sphinx. The so-called 'Kufu's pyramid' is a structure that is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. In addition to this pyramid, there are more than 80 pyramids in Egypt. In the Egypt Museum, there are more than 12,000 relics on display.
Mostly, they are relics of the ancient kingdoms of Egypt, and to see each of them in detail would take many days to do it. One of the most eye-captivating relics is one of Tutakamen, which is the famous gold mask. The civilization that developed around the Gihon left many boastable relics and remnants that can be seen. God foreknew this fact and gave this name "Gihon" to this river, which means 'to boast and to be proud of'. There are reasons why such mysterious structures as pyramids and sphinx were erected and such an excellent civilization was able to develop in this area. It is because this area has a close relationship with Adam, who was living in the Garden of Eden. I will explain about this in detail at a later time. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, now, let me explain about the third river. In Genesis 2:14 the first half says, "The name of the third river is Tigris; it flows east of Assyria." The name Tigris in Hebrew language is 'Hiddekel'. Hiddekel literally means 'to flow as fast as an arrow'. But God says this name spiritually has the meaning of 'being barren and to disturb'. Why does it have such a meaning- It is because of the relationships of Israel with the nations that were formed around the river. It says Tigris flows to the east of Assyria. Tigris today originates from Turkey, flows through Iraq, and goes out into the Persian Gulf. Centering the upper stream of Tigris, there was a nation that flourished at around 3,000 BC.
It is Assyria. Assyria occupied this area even before Abraham was born. The city of the nation Assyria is also 'Assyria', and today we can find Tigris on the right hand side of Assyria. This nation Assyria flourished in this area for a long time and it conquered Northern Israel around 721 BC. But in 625 BC, possession of this land changed when Babylon took over. Babylon enlarged their power, and it even conquered the southern Judah in 586 BC. When Babylon was conquering the southern Judah, they took the exiles to Babylon three times. One of the exiles was Daniel. That is why in the book of Daniel is a record about the Tigris. Daniel 10:4 says, "On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris."
But by this time, the owner of this land changed to Persia again from Babylon. Babylon was conquered by Persia in 539 BC. So, the land of Israel was also ruled by Persia until 330 BC. As explained above, the nations that conquered that land around Tigris conquered and ruled over Israel. As a result, the land of Israel today became a barren and dry land. Also, Israel still has conflicts with the countries around the Tigris. Today, Iraq is located in this area. God foreknew what kinds of relationships Israel would have with the countries that would take over the area around Tigris.
Of course, when God first made the Hiddekel, it was quite different from Tigris of today. But considering all the circumstances, we can see that Hiddekel was not so far away from the location of the Tigris today.
Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we have looked into three of the four rivers that God made. Most people do not understand that the water from the second heaven, from Eden, came down to this earth to form these four rivers. Even the Bible scholars interpret the Bible literally and think that the Garden of Eden must be somewhere around these four rivers. We cannot have answers if we do not have understandings of the spiritual realm. It is something to be so thankful for, that God is explaining the details of the Bible to us. In the next session, we will finish up with the fourth and last river and then go back to the Garden of Eden.
Adam lived in the Garden of Eden for a very long time. I will explain to you some incidents that took place in those long years and that have a relationship with this earth. For example, the secrets about the dinosaurs and the pyramids will be unveiled. The spiritual things that God unfolds and teaches us are mysterious, interesting, and good for our instruction. I hope you will understand them well and make them your spiritual bread. I pray in the name of the Lord that, in doing so, you will all become true children of God who are spiritually well educated and able to share your heart with God the Father. [Amen!]
Mafundisho ya Mwanzo 50 | Mito Mikubwa Minne
Andiko la Biblia: Mwanzo 2:11–14
[11] “Jina la mto wa kwanza ni Pishoni; ndio unaozunguka nchi yote ya Havila, palipo na dhahabu. [12] Dhahabu ya nchi hiyo ni njema; huko kuna bedola na jiwe shohamu. [13] Jina la mto wa pili ni Gihoni; ndio unaozunguka nchi yote ya Kushi. [14] Jina la mto wa tatu ni Hidekeli; huo ndio upitao mbele ya Ashuru. Na mto wa nne ni Frati.”
Ndugu wapendwa katika Kristo.
Hili ni somo la 50 la Mafundisho ya Mwanzo.
Mungu mwenyewe aliumba mito minne mikubwa duniani. Maji yaliyounda mito hiyo yalishuka kutoka Edeni, katika mbingu ya pili. Mungu alifungua madirisha ya mbingu ya pili na kumwaga maji katika sehemu nne tofauti duniani ili kuunda mito hiyo. Kadiri muda ulivyopita baada ya uumbaji wa siku sita, mito mingine nayo ilijitokeza kwa njia ya asili. Lakini kwa nini Mungu mwenyewe aliumba mito hii minne hususa? Ni kwa sababu ingekuwa jukwaa kuu la kilimo cha wanadamu na kuwa chimbuko la ustaarabu wa kibinadamu.
Sasa nieleze kwa ufupi maana za rohoni na mahali pa jumla palipo mito hiyo minne. Katika maelezo ya Biblia na vitabu vingine, maana za majina yake hufasiriwa kwa kutegemea Kiebrania, lugha ya awali ya Biblia. Bila shaka, tunaweza kuzingatia maana ya maneno ya Kiebrania. Lakini tunaweza kusema tumeelewa maana yake kamili tu tunapoelewa maana ya rohoni ambayo Mungu aliipa mito hii. Watu wengine hujaribu kutafuta Bustani ya Edeni au chanzo cha mito hiyo duniani. Lakini Bustani ya Edeni na vyanzo vya mito hiyo havipo duniani bali katika mbingu ya pili. Hata wakitafiti kwa kutumia teknolojia ya kisasa kiasi gani, hawataweza kuvipata duniani. Ulimwengu wa rohoni uko katika kipimo tofauti kabisa na ulimwengu wa kimwili.
Hebu tuangalie mto wa kwanza. Mwanzo 2:11–12 inasema: “Jina la mto wa kwanza ni Pishoni; ndio unaozunguka nchi yote ya Havila, palipo na dhahabu. Na dhahabu ya nchi hiyo ni njema; huko kuna bedola na jiwe shohamu.” Maana ya moja kwa moja ya Pishoni ni “kutiririka kwa wingi.” Lakini Mungu alitufunulia kwamba Pishoni pia inamaanisha kuunganisha bara moja na jingine na kufungua njia kati ya mabara. Tukijua mahali ulipo Pishoni, tutaelewa kwa nini Mungu alisema hivyo. Inasemekana kwamba Pishoni huzunguka nchi yote ya Havila. Havila iko karibu na India ya leo. India iliibuka kuzunguka Mto Indus, mojawapo ya maeneo manne yaliyokuwa chimbuko la ustaarabu. Tukiangalia ramani, tunaona kwamba Indus uko katikati ya Asia na Ulaya. Njia ya kale ya biashara kati ya Mashariki na Magharibi, iliyojulikana kama “Njia ya Hariri,” ilisitawi kuzunguka mto huo.
Pishoni ambao Mungu aliumba haufanani kabisa na Mto Indus wa leo. Kadiri muda ulivyopita, mkondo wake ulibadilika sana, lakini mahali pake pa jumla panafana na Indus ya leo. Kwa hiyo mkiangalia mahali ulipo, mnaweza kuelewa maana yake ya “kuunganisha bara moja na jingine na kufungua njia kati ya mabara.” Biblia inasema pia kwamba nchi ya Havila ina dhahabu, bedola na jiwe shohamu. Bedola ni kiungo cha manukato ya thamani. Yosefo, mwanahistoria maarufu wa Kiyahudi, alisema pia bedola ni manukato ya gharama yanayotoka India, Arabia na Babiloni. Shohamu ni jiwe la thamani. Havila ilikuwa nchi iliyozalisha dhahabu, manukato ya thamani na mawe ya thamani.
Kwa nini basi Mungu aliandika katika Biblia kwamba Havila ilizalisha dhahabu, bedola na shohamu? Alitaka kuonyesha kimbele kwamba nchi hiyo ingekuwa chimbuko la ibada ya sanamu. “Chimbuko” ni mahali ambapo matukio, mawazo au nguvu fulani hukua na kustawi. Havila ndiyo chimbuko la ibada ya sanamu. Ubudha, Uhindu, Ujaini na Usikh vilianzia katika eneo hili. Wafuasi wa dini hizo hutengeneza sanamu na kuchoma uvumba mbele yake. Baadhi ya tafiti husema kwamba katika hekaya za Kihindu kuna miungu milioni 330. Kuna sanamu za aina nyingi sana, na watu wa nchi hii hufanya daima matambiko ya kuziabudu. Mungu alijua kimbele kwamba Havila, nchi inayozungukwa na Pishoni, ingekuwa chimbuko la ibada ya sanamu. Kama Mwanzo 2:11 inavyosema, “…ndio unaozunguka nchi yote ya Havila,” Pishoni ulikuwa mto mkubwa uliozunguka eneo pana.
Kwa hiyo tunaweza kuona kwamba utamaduni wa kuabudu sanamu ulienea katika eneo pana pia. Ndugu wapendwa, kwa nini Mungu aliumba mto mkubwa hivyo huku akijua kwamba ibada ya sanamu ingeenea Havila? Kama asingekuwa ameuweka mto hapo, watu wasingekusanyika huko na kutengeneza sanamu nyingi hivyo. Lakini Mungu alikuwa na sababu. Alitaka kutimiza kilimo cha wanadamu kwa haki kamilifu. Zaburi 96:4–5 inasema: “Kwa kuwa Bwana ndiye mkuu, mwenye kusifiwa sana, naye mwenye kuogopwa kuliko miungu yote. Maana miungu yote ya mataifa si kitu; bali Bwana ndiye aliyezifanya mbingu.” Kama ilivyoandikwa, Mungu pekee ndiye anayestahili kusifiwa na kuabudiwa. Lakini Lusifa na pepo wachafu pia wanataka wanadamu wawaabudu.
Huwashawishi watu wafikiri kwamba kuna miungu mingi mingine. Ingawa miungu hiyo yote ni ya uongo na si kitu, Shetani huwadanganya watu wengi waabudu. Kwa kweli, kuabudu miungu mingine ni kumtumikia Lusifa na pepo wachafu. Mungu angeweza kuzuia tangu mwanzo miungu hiyo isiyo na maana na sanamu zisitengenezwe. Kwa nini hakuziondoa? Ingawa duniani kuna miungu mingine mingi isiyo na maana, Mungu alitaka watu waelewe kwamba kuna Mungu mmoja wa kweli tu. Alitaka wamtafute na kumkaribia kwa hiari yao wenyewe. Kama kusingekuwa na miungu ya uongo, hata watu wanaomtumikia Mungu wasingefanya hivyo kwa hiari kamili. Ikiwa kungekuwa na Mungu mmoja tu, watu wangelazimika kumtumikia bila kutofautisha kati ya Mungu wa kweli na miungu ya uongo. Hapo Lusifa angeweza kumpinga Mungu na kusema kwamba si haki, kwamba Mungu anapendelea wanadamu kuliko Lusifa.
Hilo lisingekuwa sawa kulingana na haki. Kwa hiyo Mungu hakuzuia mazingira hayo yasitokee; yakawa maeneo ya kuzaliana kwa ibada ya sanamu. Alitaka watu wamtumikie yeye, Mungu wa kweli pekee, ingawa kungekuwa na miungu mingi ya uongo. Mungu alianza kilimo cha wanadamu kwa sababu alitaka kupata watoto wa kweli wanaomtafuta na kumwamini kwa hiari yao. Kuna watu wanaomtambua na kumtofautisha Mungu pekee wa kweli na kumwamini, na pia wengi wanaotumikia miungu ya uongo. Wakati mwingine ibada ya sanamu ilitawala hata miongoni mwa Waisraeli, watu wateule wa Mungu. Kila mara Mungu alionyesha kupitia manabii wake kwamba yeye ndiye Mungu wa kweli pekee. Aliwasihi watu waache miungu ya uongo na kumrudia. Wakati mwingine alizungumza kama baba aliyenyang’anywa watoto wake au mume aliyenyang’anywa mke wake. Isaya 1:2–3 inasema: “Sikieni, enyi mbingu, tega sikio, Ee nchi; kwa kuwa Bwana amenena: Nimewalisha wana, na kuwalea, nao wameniasi. Ng’ombe amjua bwana wake, na punda ajua kibanda cha bwana wake; bali Israeli hajui, watu wangu hawafikiri.”
Hosea 2:19–20 inasema: “Nami nitakuposa uwe wangu milele; naam, nitakuposa kwa haki, na kwa hukumu, na kwa fadhili, na kwa rehema. Nitakuposa kwa uaminifu, nawe utamjua Bwana.” Mungu aliwapa watu ujumbe huo kupitia manabii, na pia alithibitisha kwamba yeye ndiye Mungu wa kweli pekee kwa kuonyesha kazi za ajabu na zenye nguvu. Kwa mfano, wakati wa utawala wa Mfalme Ahabu, ibada ya sanamu ilipoenea sana, pambano lilifanyika ili kuonyesha Mungu wa kweli ni nani. Eliya alisimama peke yake dhidi ya makuhani 850 wa miungu ya mataifa.
Walishindana kuona ni nani angeleta moto kutoka mbinguni na kuteketeza sadaka. Baali na Ashera, miungu iliyotumikwa na makuhani hao 850, hawakuweza kuleta moto wowote kwa sababu walikuwa miungu ya uongo. Lakini Bwana Mungu Mwenyezi wa Eliya alituma moto. 1 Wafalme 18:39 inasema: “Watu wote walipoyaona hayo, wakaanguka kifudifudi; wakasema, Bwana ndiye Mungu, Bwana ndiye Mungu.” Mungu alionyesha kupitia manabii wake katika nyakati mbalimbali kwamba yeye ndiye Mungu wa kweli. Lakini Israeli walipoendelea kutomsikiliza, Mungu aliwapa kisogo. Matokeo yake yakawa vita, njaa, magonjwa na majaribu mengine. Walipoteseka kiasi cha kushindwa kuvumilia majaribu hayo, walimtafuta Mungu tena. Kisha Mungu aliwaponya na kuirejesha Israeli. Hata leo, Mungu huonyesha kupitia watumishi wake kwamba yeye ndiye Muumba na Mungu wa kweli. Mungu pekee ndiye anayetawala uhai na kifo, baraka na laana.
Uwezo wa kuumba vitu kutoka pasipo kitu ni wa Mungu pekee. Zaburi 62:11 inasema: “Mungu amenena mara moja, naam, mara mbili nimeyasikia haya, ya kuwa nguvu zina Mungu.” Lusifa anaweza kuwaongoza watu dhambini lakini hana uwezo wa kuumba. Ibilisi anaweza kuwaletea wenye dhambi majaribu na mitihani, lakini hawezi kuwapa uhai na furaha. Kwa hiyo, ingawa kuna miungu mingi duniani, wenye wema na ukweli mioyoni watamtafuta na kumtumikia Mungu mmoja wa kweli. Mungu huwafanya watu hao wanaomjia kuwa watoto wake na kuwapa uzima wa milele na Mbingu. Mwanzo 2:13 unataja jina la mto wa pili na mahali pake kwa ufupi: “Na jina la mto wa pili ni Gihoni; ndio unaozunguka nchi yote ya Kushi.” Maana ya moja kwa moja ya Gihoni ni “kujaa na kufurika,” na maana yake ya rohoni ni “kujivunia na kujisifu.” Kwa nini Mungu aliupa mto huo maana hiyo? Alijua kimbele ustaarabu uliotokana nao ungekuwa bora. Biblia inasema Gihoni huzunguka nchi yote ya Kushi. Kama Pishoni, nao ulipita eneo kubwa.
Kushi iko wapi? Kushi ya leo ni Ethiopia, lakini Kushi ya Biblia ilikuwa pana zaidi kuliko Ethiopia. Eneo lote kati ya Nile na Bahari ya Shamu lilichukuliwa kuwa Kushi. Leo Nile hupita katika eneo hili. Nile huundwa na vijito vingi. Kwanza, Nile Nyeupe kutoka Sudan na Nile ya Bluu kutoka Ethiopia huungana. Kisha tawi jingine kutoka Ethiopia, Mto Atbara, hujiunga nao. Nile inapoingia Misri, hakuna tena mito midogo inayojiunga nayo. Hutiririka kuelekea kaskazini na kufika Mediterania. Tunaweza kuona kwamba mto unaoanzia Kushi ni chanzo muhimu cha Nile. Mto unaoanzia Kushi ndio Gihoni wa Biblia. Bila shaka, mto wa leo ni tofauti sana na ulivyokuwa Mungu alipouumba mara ya kwanza. Mito mikubwa inapomwaga maji baharini, mashapo yake huunda delta. Eneo la delta lina rutuba sana, na wanyama na mimea mingi huishi humo na kuzunguka. Pia lina manufaa kwa wanadamu, hasa kwa kilimo.
Delta huwa na maji mengi yasiyo na chumvi na huwa karibu na bahari. Ndiyo sababu miji na ustaarabu hujengwa kuzunguka delta. Delta ya Nile ndiyo kubwa zaidi duniani. Karibu nayo kuna Cairo, mji mkuu wa Misri, na Alexandria, jiji la pili kwa ukubwa nchini humo. Ustaarabu wa Misri pia ndio wa kale zaidi duniani. Inasemekana ulianza karibu mwaka 3200 kabla ya Kristo na kustawi kwa takriban miaka 3,000. Ustaarabu wa Misri ulikuwa na fahari kuliko ustaarabu mwingine wowote duniani, na bado tunaweza kuona mabaki yake ya ajabu. Maarufu zaidi ni piramidi na Sifinksi. Piramidi iitwayo “Piramidi ya Khufu” ni mojawapo ya Maajabu Saba ya Dunia. Mbali na piramidi hiyo, kuna zaidi ya piramidi 80 nchini Misri. Makumbusho ya Misri yana zaidi ya vitu vya kale 12,000 vinavyoonyeshwa.
Vingi ni vitu vya kale vya falme za Misri, na kuvichunguza vyote kwa kina kungechukua siku nyingi. Kimojawapo kinachovutia macho zaidi ni kinyago maarufu cha dhahabu cha Tutankhamun. Ustaarabu uliojitokeza karibu na Gihoni uliacha mabaki mengi ya kujivunia ambayo bado yanaonekana. Mungu alijua kimbele jambo hilo na akaupa mto huo jina Gihoni, lenye maana ya “kujisifu na kujivunia.” Kuna sababu zilizowezesha kujengwa kwa miundo ya ajabu kama piramidi na Sifinksi na kustawi kwa ustaarabu bora katika eneo hili. Eneo hili lina uhusiano wa karibu na Adamu, aliyekuwa akiishi Bustani ya Edeni. Nitaeleza jambo hilo kwa kina baadaye. Ndugu wapendwa katika Kristo, sasa nieleze kuhusu mto wa tatu. Mwanzo 2:14, sehemu ya kwanza, inasema: “Na jina la mto wa tatu ni Hidekeli; huo ndio upitao mbele ya Ashuru.” Jina la Kiebrania la Tigri ni Hidekeli. Maana yake ya moja kwa moja ni “kutiririka kwa kasi kama mshale.” Lakini Mungu anasema maana yake ya rohoni ni “kuwa tasa na kuvuruga.” Kwa nini ina maana hiyo? Ni kwa sababu ya uhusiano wa Israeli na mataifa yaliyojitokeza kuzunguka mto huo. Biblia inasema Tigri unapita mashariki mwa Ashuru. Tigri ya leo huanzia Uturuki, hupita Iraq na kumwaga maji katika Ghuba ya Uajemi. Karibu mwaka 3000 kabla ya Kristo, taifa lilistawi kuzunguka sehemu ya juu ya Tigri.
Taifa hilo lilikuwa Ashuru. Ashuru ilimiliki eneo hili hata kabla Abrahamu hajazaliwa. Jiji kuu la taifa hilo pia liliitwa Ashuru, na leo tunaweza kuona Tigri upande wa kulia wa Ashuru. Taifa la Ashuru lilistawi katika eneo hili kwa muda mrefu na kuteka Israeli ya kaskazini karibu mwaka 721 kabla ya Kristo. Lakini mwaka 625 kabla ya Kristo, umiliki wa nchi hii ulibadilika Babiloni ilipoiteka. Babiloni iliongeza nguvu zake na hata ikateka Yuda ya kusini mwaka 586 kabla ya Kristo. Wakati Babiloni ilipoteka Yuda ya kusini, iliwapeleka mateka Babiloni mara tatu. Danieli alikuwa miongoni mwao. Ndiyo sababu kitabu cha Danieli kinataja Tigri. Danieli 10:4 inasema: “Na siku ya ishirini na nne ya mwezi wa kwanza, nilikuwa kando ya mto mkubwa, nao ni Hidekeli.”
Wakati huo, umiliki wa nchi hiyo ulikuwa umebadilika kutoka Babiloni na kuwa Uajemi tena. Uajemi uliiteka Babiloni mwaka 539 kabla ya Kristo. Kwa hiyo Israeli pia ilitawaliwa na Uajemi hadi mwaka 330 kabla ya Kristo. Kama nilivyoeleza, mataifa yaliyouteka na kuutawala mkoa wa Tigri yaliiteka na kuitawala Israeli pia. Matokeo yake, nchi ya Israeli ya leo imekuwa kavu na tasa. Israeli bado ina migogoro na nchi zilizo karibu na Tigri; leo Iraq iko katika eneo hilo. Mungu alijua kimbele uhusiano ambao Israeli ungekuwa nao na nchi ambazo zingetawala eneo la Tigri.
Bila shaka, Hidekeli Mungu alipouumba mara ya kwanza ulikuwa tofauti kabisa na Tigri ya leo. Lakini tukizingatia hali zote, tunaweza kuona kwamba Hidekeli haukuwa mbali sana na mahali ulipo Tigri ya sasa.
Hitimisho
Ndugu wapendwa katika Kristo, tumechunguza mito mitatu kati ya ile minne ambayo Mungu aliumba. Watu wengi hawaelewi kwamba maji kutoka Edeni ya mbingu ya pili yalishuka duniani na kuunda mito hiyo minne. Hata wasomi wa Biblia huitafsiri Biblia kihalisi na kudhani kwamba Bustani ya Edeni lazima iwe mahali fulani karibu na mito hiyo minne. Hatuwezi kupata majibu tusipoelewa ulimwengu wa rohoni. Tunapaswa kumshukuru sana Mungu kwa kutufafanulia maelezo ya Biblia. Katika somo lijalo tutamalizia mto wa nne na wa mwisho, kisha turudi kwenye Bustani ya Edeni.
Adamu aliishi Bustani ya Edeni kwa muda mrefu sana. Nitawaeleza baadhi ya matukio yaliyotokea katika miaka hiyo mingi na yanayohusiana na dunia hii. Kwa mfano, siri kuhusu dinosauri na piramidi zitafunuliwa. Mambo ya rohoni ambayo Mungu anatufunulia na kutufundisha ni ya ajabu, ya kuvutia na yenye mafundisho kwetu. Natumaini mtayaelewa vizuri na kuyafanya chakula chenu cha rohoni. Ninaomba katika jina la Bwana kwamba kwa kufanya hivyo nyote muwe watoto wa kweli wa Mungu, walioelimika vizuri rohoni na wenye uwezo wa kushiriki mioyo yenu na Mungu Baba. [Amina!]
