I’m participating in Disciple Bible Study, a 34 week intensive. Every day, we have different readings (except on the seventh day…resting!). I have decided to document my initial noticings from a close reading of the scripture. Well, an attempt at a close reading.
Week 3, Reading 2: Genesis 6-9
Noticings:
- 6:1-4 - These are weird verses. Questions...
- What does the words Sons of God here mean for Christianity?
- Here is where G*d is saying that people have a mortality rate.
- Hey, Jewish friends, got some good Midrash?
The Flood Narrative
- 6:5 - wickedness of human cause the destruction of the earth. Hmm. Familiar?
- 6:19 - and the critters came 2x2
- 7:2 - seven pairs of clean animals and two pairs of unclean animals (who says the Bible does't contradict itself?)
- 7:6 - really? Noah was 600? Right after the statement that 120 years is enough?
- 7:9 - back to 2x2 animals
- 8:1 - G*d remembered Noah...would G*d forget?
- 8:1 - G*d remembered Noah and all the animals, etc. Not people-centric.
- 8:7 - What is up with the raven?
- 8:20 - Sacrificed every clean animal (that's why they needed 7!) This is a big honking job!
- 8:21 - When G*d smelled the odor, then G*d makes the promise never to do this again. The odor.
- 9:2 - Now beasties fear humans
- 9:3 - All animals given to humans for food
- 9:6 - Whoever sheds the blood of a human, by a human shall that person's blood be shed...
- Doesn't this apply to everybody?
- What does shed mean? What about indirect causes of death through injustice?
- 9:11 - Covenant establishment
- 9:13 - the sign (rainbow)
- 9:20 - Noah has the first vineyard! So, I wonder how they made this discovery of drunkenness? Can you imagine the first hangover? The verb that is translated "became drunk" means simply to "drink one's fill."
- 9:24 - What exactly did Ham do to Noah? What is unspoken here? It can't be simply seeing nakedness and talking to his brothers. That seems too normal.
- Ham of Canaan - Beginning of the conflict with the Canaanites. Such an ancient difference. Still seems to be living itself out.
- Sad that this was what people used to justify the slavery of the Africans.