The focus of the story is not on the flood but with the strange things which happen in the heart of God that decisively affect God’s creation and which makes possible a new beginning for creation. Walter Brueggemann

And the LORD was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth-reveals deep pathos within God; God is not angered but grieved (‘asav); not enraged but saddened. As the woman gives birth in grief (‘asav in 3:16), so now God also shares that grief (‘asav in 1:6), and Noah will experience the same as he sets himself to save humanity. [1]

Noah finds grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah does not fit the indictment of corrupted humanity. His way opens to an alternative view. Noah thus embodies a new possibility. The text invites the us to turn to Noah and to consider that amidst the putrid rupture between creator and creation, there is the prospect of a fresh alternative. Something new is at work in creation.

Theological Question #1: Could God bring an end to his world? We have all contributed to the demise of creation-when we name the sins of omission / commission we own our own complicity. According to Brueggemann, “it is beyond doubt that our infidelity diminishes . . . all of life around us . . . worlds do disintegrate. Yes, the world, even under God’s rule, can end.” [2]

Theological Question #2: Can God change his mind? Do we have an inflexible God? Maybe, but the God described in Scripture is one who hurts and celebrates, responds and acts with amazing freedom. “God is as fresh and new in relation to creation as God calls us to be with him. He can change his mind, so that he can abandon what he has made; and he can rescue that which he has condemned. [3]

“Make yourself an ark . . . 300 cubits . . . 50 cubits . . . thirty cubits.” First we repent in the number fifty [Psalm 50 in LXX], and through penance we arrive at the mystery of the cross [300 = the symbol of crucifixion], and as a matter of fact, when Jesus was baptized, according to Luke, ‘he was thirty years of age.’ ”

Creation-the divine intention in the beginning is that all creation “was good” and humanity “very good.”

Uncreation-the loathsomeness of the creation through violence and corruption is apparent: the wickedness of God’s creatures had become so deep and broad (by the 10th generation) that the creation was reeling in negative response. So God wanted to undo creation.

Recreation-God, however, decides to begin again; water functions literally and metaphorically as both flood and cleansing agent God reverses the movement toward chaos with ruach and the return of the waters and a promise never to undo creation through the Flood.

Poem: God's Rainbow

The falling rain dissolves into mist and the thunder begins to die; as the sporadic lightning fades, an arch of color pours from the sky.

Rainbows appear after mighty storms when things look their worst. Just when the sky is darkest gray, out of Heaven does a rainbow burst.

God first sent the rainbow to Noah as a sign that His word is true. The rainbow's eternal message still speaks to me and you.

The rainbow is a sign of God's promise that He will guide us through any storm; that He will ease all our troubles, no matter what their form.

When you feel battered by life's storms and you are filled with doubt and dismay, just remember God's rainbow is coming for it's blessing you have only to pray.

~ Author Unknown

____________________________________
1) Interpretation Series: Genesis (Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1982), page 77.
2) Ibid., page 78.
3) Ibid, page 78.