It is significant that only just before his final entry into the ark did Noah learn of God’s plan to destroy mankind by a flood. Noah completed the entire structure without knowing God’s intentions. That was to test Noah. Build a huge ship on dry land. R-i-g-h-t. (Part of Bill Cosby’s genius is in knowing great material to start with.)
The other main thing that strikes me out of the vastness of this story is the nature of the inundation – and that’s exactly what is described. If you started out with me in this reading through Genesis, you may remember that the “expanse” or firmament that God called “sky” was viewed in the cosmology of the time of writing as a thin layer holding back the waters filling the universe. So when God decided to destroy life all he had to do was open the gates to that watery chaos, and that’s what came in.
One other thing I should probably address: Whatever historical memory lies behind this whole story, it cannot now be recovered. If we concern ourselves with authenticating the history we’re going to take off on a detour from which we may never find our way back. Historical accuracy is not the issue here. As with Genesis 1, the God who deals with us could well have done things exactly and literally as described. Or it could be that the inspiration given to the writer caused him to draw on whatever traditions and stories that were around that would help him convey the truth God was giving him. To put it another way, finding the ark on Mount Ararat adds nothing to our understanding or the truth of the narrative. Not finding it proves nothing either.
The essential points are these:
- God was intensely grieved at a creation that had cut off relations with him.
- He showed he is a God who desires to cleanse and renew. That’s our great hope.
Prayer:
Lord, there are mysteries you hold in your heart that are just too great for us. You plant in us inquiring minds, and may it be our joy to learn more of you and your ways all the time. But most of all, give us that trust that Noah had, to listen and follow you, knowing the results you have in mind will be the best for us. Through Christ. Amen.
3 comments:
"How long can you tread water?"
seems bill cosby also read the book of job ;)
Bill Cosby is the closest I've ever come to "studying" the story of Noah.
Unclean animals?
Were there fish before the flood? Wouldn't they have loved it?
If Noah had already read the story, then it wouldn't have been much of a feat. Especially getting through forty days and nights of rain: they wouldn't have known if they'd get 10 days or a 100 days.
If the Lord told you to build a boat, would you believe it was the Lord, would you build the boat? Or would you get meds?
My house is full of kids again! Miss you this weekend Red Saucer, love to your family (and you!)
i believe that clean animals are okay for eating and sacrifice, and unclean are not, though this is the first mention of it in the bible (see for otherreferences, especilly Dt.
40 days of rain would bug the fish and sea-mammals too, for they too depend on photosynthesis at the root of their foodchain. also, all those carcasses of the land species bloating the waters would be unpleasant. only the tube worms gathered about the deep sea magma vents might escape unscathed.
if god told me to build an ark, i'd probably blog it. since i prefer being crazy to being medicated, i'd build the ark as god commanded me to.
i missed you too, katrina uruhart, you and your kids. i think you would have liked bishop asbil's sermon. but you cannot be before two pastor's at once ;). i gave my family your love, and they return with their love.
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