Aim: How does the story of Noah’s Ark symbolically serve humanity?
Do Now: What crimes are so heinous that God would require an Earth-wide purification?
We had a variety of responses, from rape to genocide. When murder was brought up, it seems to occur in a lot of cases, yet we’re still shocked with each incident. It’s evident in news; if people were moved by such “heinous” acts, then that would suffice as a news story. On an even bigger scale are mass shootings or genocide, which are often carried out by prominent individuals, as with the case of the Holocaust.
Some others in the class added that God might have wanted to hit “reset” due to people being selfish, violent, or overall very corrupt, which contradicts the morals that God stands for.
But in it all, should an individual’s actions (or those of a small group) affect humanity altogether? Would the Holocaust warrant God to restart the entire Earth?
Ancient floods are floods sent by deities or the divine. It originated in Mesopotamia, but almost every culture has a flood myth. In many of those stories, it’s to cleanse or to punish.
The story of Noah’s Arc resulted from a similar flood sent by God to wipe out humanity. Noah, a worthy person, agreed to build and go on the Ark. He was to take seven pairs of clean animals and one pair of not clean animals. When it opened, two of each animal came, a male and female.
Humans, despite the self-centered position we often think of, weren’t given special consideration. The only thing that makes them distinct from the other animals is that they built the Ark.
But how does God’s control over nature (fire, water, earth, and air) in Judeo-Christianity compare to that of Greek Mythology?
Unlike many other cultures that have flood myths, Noah’s Ark revolves around one God. In Greek Mythology, many gods are each in control of certain elements or aspects. Those gods are subject to imperfections and flaws similar to humanity, making nature less predictable. God in Judeo-Christinaity, is the one sole being whose actions are wise and justified.
We watched this video about the Noah’s Ark replica in Kentucky, as covered by Fox News:
In this video, the news reporter spoke about the opening of the museum, the prospects it’ll bring, and what conflicts she presumed would occur (as a result of separation of church and state).
We ended on a dark note: Is humanity doomed?
Imperfections might suggest doom, but I don’t see it that way. Humans are imperfect, but in the few cases of perfection, it’s amazing.
Besides, the only one who’s perfect is God.
Reflection:
These are among some of the first few lessons I’ve had about stories in the Bible, which I’m not that familiar with (despite the numerous allusions in literature). I found it interesting how many cultures have references to a flood story. I distinctly remember the ones from the River-Valley civilizations (such as Mesopotamia), where it was suggested that a divine being wanted to destroy the civilization. Overall, this continues to establish God as a wise and omnipotent being; no human is as wise or perfect to fully understand God, as was with the ending of The Book of Job.
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