Leaving aside the question of the literal factual nature, or lack thereof of the story of the Ark, and assuming it is an allegory, parable, fable or tale intended to impart a lesson about God's will, what exactly is the theme or message of this tale??
That God's kind of a dick, and someday might just decide to wipe out everyone except one dude and the puppies and the kitties and the horsies? That God's a pretty poor judge of character (check out Noah's less than stellar character after the flood subsides)? That God likes animals better than people?
What lesson are we supposed to learn from the story?
2007-05-04 07:51:55 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For one thing, the basis of the story helps us understand where original texts may have come from. When comparing the story to other ancient cultures, floods have been a popular topic - especially in Sumerian culture.
The story itself:
The story doesn't actually tell that the animals saved were of good nature, which can be noted after the flood. The original raven that Noah sends out after the flood, does not cooperate, while the dove does.
This may give off the suggestion that the nature of animals/beings will stay the same regardless of whether a kindness has been bestowed.
It's a short, ironic way of showing that instinct doesn't always denote goodness.
It also states that sometimes you may have to try a different approach: This can also be relative to God making the promise with Noah after the flood as well. In his promise God also tries a different approach to 'punishment'.
Another interesting fact is that the flood itself may symbolize cleansing in one form. Many cultures have viewed water as something that purifies and cleanses the soul/body/spirit inside and out. Others view cleansing as a form of death and rebirth. The correllation here isn't only relative to many biblical stories, but different theological ones as well.
In other relations:
God isn't portrayed as perfect in the story -> much like the beings he created. If we are supposed to be like God in nature and abide by teachings, this is a pretty thorough example of how even an omniscient being has the power to get angry and judge the nature of people.
However; truly being like God means that one tries to at the very least correct their mistakes and come to a compromise when they realize they have been wrong.
Other things of interest include: Trying to be prepared for the worse before it happens, disregarding what others think about your beliefs, hard work pays off, and concerning yourself in others affairs doesn't help you in the longrun.
Also, sometimes clinging to the back of a boat (Og) and holding on with sheer determination can save your a** in bad times haha.
There's a ton more I'm sure, but I can't think of anything else at the moment.
2007-05-04 19:38:26 · answer #1 · answered by mroof! 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The God of the Old Testament was a god of wrath and sacrifice, like others of that time.
I guess the Deluge myth worked as a threat (the lesson was that you had a choice: be bad and drown... or get stuck with your family in a strongly-smelling floating farm for a very long time!), plus it also came in handy to explain fossil seashells and whales and whatnot that were found in "weird" locations.
2007-05-04 14:04:07 · answer #2 · answered by Calimecita 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'll try and pretend that your question wasn't biased or sarcastic.
The idea is not that God is a poor judge of character, but that he is an excellent judge, he wasn't being a dick, the people who were raping and murdering constantly were the *****. So, he got rid of them. You are supposed to learn that being a bad person doesn't pay off in the end.
2007-05-04 08:07:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
1. always travel in pairs
2. have a plan before the need arises (Noah built the ark before it started to rain)
3. common people do uncommon things (professionals built the Titanic, a layman the Ark)
4. Be nice to you family, you never know how long you'll be stuck with them
5. Choose your spouse carefully, you may be called upon to repopulate the world with him/her
6. Learning to swim is not a sure guarantee you'll be saved.
2007-05-04 08:08:47 · answer #4 · answered by Carol D 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
after the flood. Noah and Joan of Ark lived happily ever after. sort of like the ending to Die Hard. all the deaths and violence with a happy ending. Amen!
2007-05-04 08:12:50 · answer #5 · answered by robertbobbybob 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The whole world was found to be corrupt, so God destroyed it. It was full of crime, homosexuality, and other sins and God destroyed them cause he found no good in them. The world today is becoming just as corrupt. It was his attempt to start over and make a better world, but of course time is bringing the corruptness right back. People thinking it's okay to kill unborn babies because a babies life is a choice, thinking that things God says is a sin is not, it's the way he created them, and so forth. It won't be long before it all happens again. It just won't be a flood, it'll be him pouring out his wrath
2007-05-04 08:01:06 · answer #6 · answered by countrygrl278 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
1) God will reward the faithful.
2) The Ark was a picture (or type) of Rapture.
3) Obey.
2007-05-04 07:58:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
That although most of the world may reject God and be completely lawless, God will provide a way of safety out of danger for his people.
2007-05-04 08:07:36 · answer #8 · answered by grnlow 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it tells us apparently that we were given the chance to live for an eternity in a peacefull and harmonious world but through greed and spitefulness we ****** it up so god being the kind and mercyfull dude he's ment to be thought **** it and drowned the lot of em. and as if that wasnt bad enough he shortened our llives tenfold. to sum it up what a wanker
2007-05-04 08:06:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
To listen
2007-05-04 07:54:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋