What a letdown...

...or the story of the flood...

This week’s reading is the sidrah about Noah (Genesis 6:9-11:32)

The haphtarah is Isaiah 54:1-55:5 and the Gospel reading is Matthew 3 and 4.

Should I admit that I find the story of Noah a letdown?

There’s something about this story that has always bothered me. And it’s this verse: ”6:6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.”

So, God’s not happy with humankind? I know they’re vile and wicked (more than we are? More than Las Vegas at 3 in the morning?) He regrets that he made humans? This is the same God who loves us so much that rejoices over us with singing? The same one who sent his very own son to combat the problem of sin? The God who gathers his children like a mother hen?

And then he wants to not only wipe out humankind, but the animals and birds he created too.

Why does God want to reverse the creation?

Then there’s Noah. He found favor in God’s eyes? How? Didn’t he basically earn his salvation then? I’m not sure I’m speaking soteriologically here...I mean actual salvation from death and the flood. Or am I speaking of spiritual salvation? I don’t know!

Listen to what Isaiah says in the haphtarah:

“"For a brief moment I abandoned you,
       but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
 8 In a surge of anger
       I hid my face from you for a moment,
       but with everlasting kindness
       I will have compassion on you,"
       says the LORD your Redeemer.
 9 "To me this is like the days of Noah,
       when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
       So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
       never to rebuke you again.”

He was angry with Israel (How many times?) But yet he will spare them and show his love. I’m so confused!

I loved this story as a kid...the animals, the one brave family that was spared...but now it just seems weird. Of course, we’re running up on that intersection of love and justice. The one that makes no sense.

So, how will me see the Messiah? The notes were a bit fuzzy for me. Obviously we have one righteous man in the midst of a sinful generation. Sound like Jesus? We have the story of salvation with the ark. But I’ll have to talk more about this topic after the discussion tonight.