Although I am well-acquainted with the book of Genesis, I had only read the stories from a religious point of view. Thus, it was interesting for me to study it as world literature, instead of solely as a spiritual doctrine.
I felt that because God loved Noah and saved him from the flood, along with the family members and animals that went with him into the ark, it showed God’s love for those who please Him and lead righteous lives. However, for the rest of the world, which was filled with sin, He destroyed, revealing God’s strength and wrath.
Since God sent Jesus to the earth to become man, I see qualities in him that are quite human. For instance, after the floods, God declares that He will never curse mankind and every living thing again. It seems that God is remorseful for His actions and thus, He blesses Noah and his sons to lead prosperous lives.
After the flood, Noah plants a vineyard and becomes drunk. It was puzzling to me that he cursed Canaan, even though it seemed like Ham was simply trying to help him become clothed again. Is it not Noah’s fault that he is naked in the first place? Why is it such a big matter, and why can he not find forgiveness? I feel that Noah’s actions were unjust and could have been less severe.
The most recent flood movie I saw was an international film called Haewundae, and while reading the text I was reminded of the terror and agony that seized the victims in the movie. Although the Bible does not venture deeply into those who actually suffer the floods, I was able to picture the terrible experience. It also gives light to God’s vengeance, punishing the sinful and saving those who are pleasing to Him.
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