Session #6
Covenant 2: Noah
What does knowledge mean in this context?
Participation in the mystery of another person, at least biologically
Why does Eve speak about the Lord after giving birth to her first son?
Because there is something so fascinating about the biological process, although it is not the belief of Christians that everything is reducible to the material as far as a human person is concerned, the soul is authored by God, but also the process by which people are materially made is a gift of God as well and every bit worth thanking God for.
Moreover, adding more people to the human family is always something to rejoice over because every life is a gift, especially when it is not guaranteed to anyone.
We already see the human harmony of specialization and teamwork.
What happens when we do not feel our prayers are not heard if we strive after greatness and seemingly give no less effort without good effect compared to our neighbor? What do we notice as a difference between the offerings?
We see a sudden loss of peace and the biting sadness of jealousy. In such agitated states, we hear God but are somewhat consumed by our flight/flight response we add that voice to those of our enemies, the perceived contrariety to our good, and behold in our sadness we sin. The Lord encourages Cain to avoid sin and renounce the state he is in lest it consume Him even more. Does God do this with us?
Cain's offering was not quite as grand as Abel's notice:
"The firstlings" in Abel's offerings were choice portions of the fruits of his labor.
Cain's offerings were only a part of his abundance, at least the language suggests that.
Jealousy
What evil must be present in man if he is truly beyond conversion?
In a world consumed by sin how great is it to have one who does not betray?
What does salvation from the enemy look like?
"Sign" of the Covenant
There is actually a reality in nature that permits us to "remember" the covenant God has made
Where did Noah go wrong?
When God bestows freedom and we choose to use it according to our will, does it not usually progress toward selfishness instead of actually regenerative rest
How does this failure compare to that of Adam?
"Saw the nakedness of his father" means?
Understand scripture with more scripture.
Adultery
In these seemingly larger-than-life Biblical figures, we see faith lived in very "risky" and tangible ways. What might the concept of faith as we have seen it up until now look like?
Acting in anticipation of God's providence
Transformation of ones life
following God on obedience
We conclude with the Catechism of the Catholic Church
56 After the unity of the human race was shattered by sin God at once sought to save humanity part by part. The covenant with Noah after the flood gives expression to the principle of the divine economy toward the “nations”, in other words, towards men grouped “in their lands, each with [its] own language, by their families, in their nations”.[1]
57 This state of division into many nations is at once cosmic, social, and religious. It is intended to limit the pride of fallen humanity[2] united only in its perverse ambition to forge its own unity as at Babel.[3] But, because of sin, both polytheism and the idolatry of the nation and of its rulers constantly threaten this provisional economy with the perversion of paganism.[4]
58 The covenant with Noah remains in force during the times of the Gentiles, until the universal proclamation of the Gospel.[5] The Bible venerates several great figures among the Gentiles: Abel the just, the king-priest Melchisedek - a figure of Christ - and the upright “Noah, Daniel, and Job”.[6] Scripture thus expresses the heights of sanctity that can be reached by those who live according to the covenant of Noah, waiting for Christ to “gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad”.[7]
[1] Gen 10:5; cf. 9:9-10, 16; 10:20-31.
[2] Cf. Acts 17:26-27.
[3] Cf. Wis 10:5; Gen 11:4-6.
[4] Cf. Rom 1:18-25.
[5] Cf. Gen 9:16; Lk 21:24; DV 3.
[6] Cf. Gen 14:18; Heb 7:3; Ezek 14:14.
[7] Jn 11:52.
Continue to reflect on the increase of individuals in the covenant.
If desired
Listen to the songs below but imagine how Noah must have felt on day two and thirty of being on the Ark.