Genesis 8: The End - Or The Beginning?

Last year's "Noah" movie with Russell Crowe disappointed me greatly.  I felt there were a lot of unnecessary liberties taken with the Genesis account of the Flood.  (Spoiler Alert!)  Like the rogue stowaway aboard the Ark and the "fightin' Noah" action scenes.  And don't even get me started on those "rock creature" things!

Yet I have to confess that I did gain a specific new appreciation for something through viewing the film, and that was to consider Noah's perspective of the events in his life.  When the Flood hits, there is not yet a deep knowledge or understanding of God.  Noah didn't have access to the Bible like we do - and all the messages it contains of redemption and salvation that God sent through His servants over the years.

Noah existed at nearly the very beginning of the Bible story - but it must have felt like the very end!  In fact, the flood account emphasizes how the waters swelled above all the mountains and all flesh and all living things were blotted out  - except for what was with Noah in the Ark.  The Flood is a tale of destruction and salvation.  It is an end and a beginning.

One of the pivotal scriptures behind this shift is Genesis 8:1: "But God remembered Noah..."  The story wasn't over.  God remembered Noah.  And the good news is that God remembers us.  Even when we feel like our world may be ending or our story may be over, God is often getting ready to write a new beginning.

That doesn't excuse the behavior of Crowe's Noah in the movie, but it did make me realize that Noah's impression would likely have been that God was bringing the world to its end.  God reveals His intention after Noah leaves the Ark and offers a sacrifice.  Then God declares that the world will indeed go on, establishing its seasons and ordinances, and never ending all life again like he did in the Flood.  It is a new beginning.  Praise God for that!