The+Great+Flood

=The Great Flood=

Summary:
1. The Great Flood (Genesis, pages 57-60) God regrets creating mankind because of the wickedness on Earth and decides to destroy the human race. He instructs Noah, the one righteous man on Earth, to build a giant ark and take his sons (Shem, Ham, and Japeth), their wives, and his wife. Noah brings 2 of every living creature onto his ark. After 40 days, the flood ends. Noah first sends out a dove to see if the flood has ended, and when it returns, he waits. He sends it out again and it returns carrying an olive branch, which shows him the earth is no longer underwater. When he sends it out a final time and it does not return, he knows the Earth is dry again. God blesses Noah and his sons, and says that all animals will dread them and be subject to them. He also says that, for every human being who sheds blood, blood will have to be shed for them. The Lord establishes a covenant never again to destroy all living creatures again. The sign of the covenant is the rainbow, or God's bow, that appears when it rains.

2. Noah's Prayer (Carmen Bernos de Gasztold, page 66) This is a poem about Noah on the ark. He is downhearted from the many days of rain and looking to God for hope while he waits for the raven to return.

3. Noah (David Ignatow, 67) This is a poem about the tasks that Noah has to perform and his struggles. He grieves for the humans killed by the flood. After the flood, all he has that he didn't have before is God's covenant.

Discussion Questions:

 * The dove, the olive branch, and the rainbow are all important symbols today. What do they mean for us?
 * What is the promise God makes to Noah in the beginning of the story? How is it different from his covenant at the story's end?
 * What makes God decide never to destroy mankind again?
 * What is the new position humans have in the world? How does this also come with new responsibility?
 * How is this story a warning to the human race as well as a promise of protection? Which element is stronger?

Supplementary Material:
Noah's Prayer: Noah: >
 * How does this poem show Noah's feelings about the ark?
 * Do you think Noah has any hope left? Why?
 * What does Noah need to suffer through in this poem and what does he gain at the end? Is it worth it?
 * What does the author mean when he says "He knows no better than before?"
 * Do you think Noah's feelings about his task changed during the poem? How would you feel if you were the only survivor of the flood?

Outside Material:
This portrays Noah sending the dove from the Ark. How does the artist show the scene? //Noah Releasing the Dove from the Ark,// mosaic from St. Mark's Cathedral, Venice, before 1220.

This painting shows the Earth after the flood. How would you describe it? //Cole Thomas, The Subsiding of the Waters after the Deluge//

A video clip from the movie "Evan Almighty"

Study Guide/Quiz Questions:

 * Why does God choose to save Noah and his family?
 * How does Noah know when the flood has ended?
 * What soothes God and makes him decide not to put the earth under a curse again?
 * What commands does God give Noah and his sons after the flood?
 * How does the rainbow represent God's covenant?
 * How old was Noah when the flood began?