The Christian concept of God is an all powerful, omnipotent, omniscient, perfect being. From the Old Testament, we find what seems to the reader, a contradictory descriptions of God specifically in the Flood story. We find specific words and examples of God being powerful, but questions may arise to the reader who is reading strictly in a literary standpoint.
One such example of God almost having human characteristics and not necessarily all powerful, is found when God sees man and how wicked they have become, the account says “And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”
The important word to focus on is repented. Repentance is something you do when you have done something wrong, the way this story is structured, and its word choice, leads the reader to believe that God, has done something wrong. This is contradictory, in nature, how can an omnipotent, perfect being, need repentance?
Another way that God is portrayed in this story is a merciful God. We as readers can come to this conclusion, by the idea that God did not destroy everyone, but he warned Noah, and his family, and helped him develop a way to escape the flood.
Another description of God, found in the story of the Flood, is found at the end of the story. The God of the Old Testament is willing to bless the people who follow him. “And God blessed Noah and his sons” After the water had receded, Noah and his family built an alter and offered sacrifices to the Lord. The Lord accepted these sacrifices, and blessed Noah and his family.
The God of the Old Testament, can be portrayed through the text, as one who repents. Through the text as well the God of the Old Testament can be described as a merciful God, and one who is willing to bless those who follow him.
Clynton,
ReplyDeleteI had the same initial thought as you when I read the passage where it said it repented God that he had created man. Repent has more than one meaning though, it can also mean to feel regret, or change ones mind. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repent Keeping this in mind I think that the definition was probably the later. I would have to agree that the God of the Old Testament is one who was willing to bless those who follow him and punish those who don't.
"This is contradictory, in nature, how can an omnipotent, perfect being, need repentance?"
ReplyDeleteTammy, you bring up a good point in reference to this point. Though if we do read it as the first definition of the word, then we have an interesting contradiction here, as Clynton points out.