Noah's Ark take two

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.” Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.  Genesis 6:11-22

Most scholars believe that there are actually two versions of the Noah's Ark story spliced and sown together.  One called "J" and one called "E"...this is from two priestly classes in early Judaism, one that referred to God as "Yahweh" (which actually starts with a "J" for Jehovah) and the other referred to God as Elohim (hence the "E").  

This would explain why right before this God had already decided to wipe the slate clean and then immediately you get an echo or repeat of the exact same idea...just different words.  Only this time, God is specific that it is not just corruption or evil, it is because of violence.  

To be sure, we live in a violent world.  Violence in war; violence to take over lands and topple governments; violence done with words to each other; violence done to women, to other races, religions and sexual orientations.  Anger seethes and simmers in our world; unfortunately the fire is sometimes (too often) fanned by sermons in church.   

Sometimes, I think about building an ark just to disconnect and get off the grid and leave the media pundits behind.  Yet, the church is suppose to be an ark; a place NOT disconnected but a place where we can be honest about the brokenness in our lives and in the world.  Many of the churches I have served have steeped pitched roofs that have a high apex/point at the top.  In some ways it looks like the ark turned upside down.  One of my pastor's growing up used to say that the church is like Noah's ark, sure it smells sometimes inside, but it's better than being outside!  

Sometimes that is true...other times our churches do not always live up to our best ideals and preaching.  That is part of being human.  This narrative is about more than being human, it is about all creation.  It is not just humans that are corrupt...it is the earth.  Or as the Apostle Paul says, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." (Romans 8:22)  Or we often miss in John 3:16 says that God's love is for the whole world!

To be sure, this is still a drastic step...and pretty early on in the book to take it.  Of course, we know eventually all will be well and rainbows with Lucky Charms at the end will greet us.  But what also stirs in me is that Noah was so willing to respond.  I don't know about you, but in my prayer life, I am much more likely to talk to God than listen.  I am much more like to debate, rather than simply be.  

Perhaps one of the un-named ways we are violent toward ourselves today is the frenzied pace we try to maintain.  You have more than likely seen that we work harder and more hours than any other generation previous.  We have constant contact to emails and texts and fall exhausted every night into bed; only to get up the next day and do it again.

This will be posted while I am on a boat, taking a cruise with my family.  While on the boat, I will not be able to check my emails or answer calls.  I am sure by Thursday I might actually stop twitching!  It is good every now and again to remind us that the earth does not revolve around us, that we are not as necessary as we think we are.  But that is scary to us.  Perhaps it can also be freeing to us as well.  

I pray you will have moments of shutting off your phone, not answering emails and text, just let the world go by for even just a few fleeting minutes.  And may there be traces of God's grace in that for you!

Blessings ~