ABRAHAM VS NOAH

Condemning Noah? Part 2

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Abraham’s Walk of Faith…Learned from Whom?

Let’s take a deeper dive into the life of Abraham vs Noah. In case you did not see the first article about Noah, check it out (here).

To quote from that article...“The Bible does not say that Abraham walked with the Eternal, but rather that he was told to walk…”

“And when Abram was ninety nine years old, YHVH appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be perfect.” Genesis 17:1

We saw that the Bible mentions that both Noah and Enoch walked with G-d, but note that in the description of the beginning of Abraham’s life God told him to walk before Him. Is there a difference? Is Abraham somehow more righteous than Noah? How would Abraham know what it means to walk with G-d? Was anyone alive to instruct him? Adam died before the flood. So did all the righteous lineage of the family of Seth, EXCEPT Noah! And of course, Noah died in the year 2006 from Creation– which was 350 years after the flood (1656) which is 58 years after Abram is born (See the following concerning Abram/Abraham).

So how many of the descendants of Adam knew him? According to the biblical timeline of the dates of the birth and death of Methuselah, Adam was still alive for many years of Methuselah’s life. And Methuselah died around the year of the flood. Though Noah did not know Adam, Methuselah did– for he was alive for 247 years of Adam’s life. Methuselah also knew Enoch, though Enoch was “taken” some 69 years before Noah was born, so Methuselah served as a bridge, if you will, between Adam, Enoch and Noah, who all are reported in the Torah as having walked with YHVH. Adam and Noah both were coexistent with Methuselah. And Noah lived until a year or two of Abram’s birth. But Shem was alive during the entire life of Abram/Abraham. So we see Adam, Methuselah, Noah, Shem, Abram– A short father to son line to pass on the story of Adam before G-d’s call to Abram.

Now we see Shem, born 98 years before the flood (see Genesis 11:10 where it states that Shem was 100 years old two years after the flood) and lived another 500 years after the birth of Arphaxad places his death from the year of creation (hereafter referred to as anno mundo a.m.) 2158 a.m. For calculating the birth of Abraham (70 years into Terah’s life—Genesis 11:26, Terah being born 1878 a.m.) would make the birth of Abram to be in the year 1948 if, indeed he was the one born in Terah’s 70th year; And I take this as based on 1). Abram was mentioned first in the verse recording the births of the three sons of Terah 2) Abram was the only spiritual character that stands out in the story. See Gen 12:4. From a clear stating of Terah’s birth in 1878 plus 70 years for the birth of Abram would give us the year 1948. Check out this chart:

https://weareisrael.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Noah-Shem-and-Abraham-.png

There is a common teaching that Abram stayed in Haran until his father’s death, but the timing does not line up. Terah
died at 205 years of age. Abram was born in Terah’s 70th year but left Haran when he was 75. Lets see more on this:

In Genesis 12:1 Abraham is told by YHVH:

“Get thee out of they country, and from they kindred, and from they father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee;”

Did Abram leave very soon after the call to go? He obviously did not wait many years to leave. Why does the text mention his father’s house if his father was still alive? If his father’s house no longer had his father in it, then it would not have been a test for Abram, for his father would no longer have been there to detain him. And why later in relating to his servant in the seeking of a wife for Isaac did Abraham mention that he had left his father’s house and his kindred as G-d had instructed him? Since he left both his father’s house and kindred, neither his father nor his kindred were dead at that time. Later when Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac he tells him:

Gen 24:7 “The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.”

And when we think of why Abraham did not go back himself to find a wife for Isaac, we remember that he had been told to leave that land, his father’s house AND his kindred. So he did not want to return there now, and he commanded the servant:

Gen 24:6 “And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.”

Here is something from another source:

“The ‘problem’ with Terah being 130 when Abraham was born has to do with why Abraham regarded his own ability to beget a son at age 100 doesn’t work out (Genesis 17:1,17): and (Abraham) laughed, and said in his heart, ‘Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old?’”Apologetics Press

So, assuming that Abram was born when Terah was 70 and he himself was 75 when he left Haran, we find that Noah and Shem were both still alive. Abram being born in 1948 a.m., would indicate that Noah dies 58 years later in 2006 a.m. while Abram is still in Haran and before the call of YHVH. Abraham dies in 2123. Shem dies in 2158 outliving Abraham by 34 years! So he had a lot of time to teach him about the Creator, 175 years of his life and 105 years after he left his father’s house and kindred.

Of course, Noah and Shem may not have lived in the same neighborhood of the Middle East, but later we see Shem appear in Abram’s life.

Shem was Melchizedek. How so?

1) Shem was the only one left of the royal line from Seth, 2) Melchizedek was king of Salem, which seems to be Jerusalem. 3) Melchizedek was a righteous king according to his name, and 4) is declared “priest of the Most High G-d”. 5) Abram paid tithes to him after the battle of the kings. (When the Bible uses, El Elyon (Most High G-d), it is not talking of just any god that is worshiped by whomever. Elyon is used here for the one and only G-d. Check out my other article on Abraham and Melchizedek here.

So as I stated at the beginning, Abram, later called Abraham, had to learn to walk with YHVH: (We remember that Noah is mention as having walked with God, but here Abram is commanded to walk before God.)

“And when Abram was ninety-nine years old, YHVH appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be perfect.” Genesis 17:1

And this if fitting for the father of all those who are sons of Abraham. The walk has to be learned! Since Noah and Shem were still alive during the life of Abram, he would have learned from them even before G-d spoke to him and guided him directly.

As I said in my first article: The Flood—Noah’s Fault? Part one: Condemning Noah, the obedience levels of Noah and Abraham were different. By no means did Noah cause the flood because he did not wrestle with God! On the other hand, Abraham clearly had trouble believing the Eternal’s promises up to the point when he was praised by the Almighty in Genesis 15. Before this time he gave his wife away twice out of fear, he took Hagar at Sarah’s suggestion to create a son… Even so, his walk in Emunah was growing for the Torah records:

“And he believed in YHVH; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Gen 15:6

Still later, he argued with G-d about the destruction of Sodom. Perhaps he still lacked trust that God knew what He was doing…Perhaps he had heard the horror stories of the flood and didn’t want this to happen to anyone ever! But in the end the Almighty taught Abraham to trust and the rest is history!

For the sake of Torah,

Ariella

El Diluvio…¿culpa de Noé?

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El diluvio, ¿culpa de Noé?

Solo se mencionan dos personas antes del diluvio que caminaron con Di-s. Enoc y Noé. Adán y Eva también caminaron un poco, pero su caminata no fue muy larga porque se escondieron de su Creador después de comer del famoso árbol del Jardín.

Génesis dice que Noé era justo y perfecto y que “caminó” con Di-s.

“Estas son las generaciones de Noé: Noé fue varón justo y perfecto en sus generaciones, y Noé caminó con Dios.” Génesis 6:9


“Y el Señor dijo a Noé: Entra tú y toda tu casa en el arca; porque a ti he visto justo delante de mí en esta generación.” Génesis 7:1

Noé fue el único hombre justo de su generación, el único digno de ser salvado. Es interesante que del linaje real desde Set en adelante, todos habían muerto en el momento del diluvio, incluso Matusalén murió a los pocos meses del diluvio. Pero Noé y su familia inmediata se salvaron de las aguas del diluvio y más tarde se les ordenó ser fructíferos, multiplicarse y restablecer la población de la tierra.

Los comentarios rabínicos prácticamente condenan a Noé por no suplicarle a Di-s por los malvados, por obedecer sumisamente, por ser un hombre que sí. Y por otro lado, ponen a Abraham como ejemplo porque discutió con Di-s sobre la inminente destrucción de Sodoma y Gomorra.

Pero la cuestión es esta… La Biblia no dice que Abraham caminó con el Eterno, sino que se le dijo que caminara…

“Y cuando Abram tenía noventa y nueve años, YHVH se apareció a Abram y le dijo: Yo soy el Dios Todopoderoso; andad delante de Mí, y sed perfectos.” Génesis 17:1

Entonces, yo diría que Noé tuvo una obediencia perfecta, confió en que el Eterno sabía lo que estaba haciendo, estaba cansado del pecado flagrante en los actos inmorales de las personas que lo rodeaban y obedeció la voz de su Creador. ¿Deberíamos condenarlo por confiar en que Di-s sabía lo que estaba haciendo y decir que Abraham era mejor y más justo?

¿Dice alguna vez la Biblia algo que condene a Noé aparte del episodio en el que plantó una viña y se emborrachó?

De hecho, más adelante en el Tanaj, se menciona a Noé con Daniel y Job como ejemplos estelares…

“Aunque estos tres hombres, Noé, Daniel y Job, estuvieran en ella (la Tierra de Israel), solo ellos podrían salvarse a sí mismos por su justicia, declara el Señor Soberano”. Ezequiel 14:14

Si Abraham era más justo, ¿por qué no se lo menciona aquí? La vida de Abraham es una serie de pruebas y crecimiento. Llegó a ser justo a través de estas pruebas y se le prometió herencia y que todos los que lo bendijeran serían bendecidos, pero él no es señalado como uno de los más justos. Abraham es un ejemplo y padre de Israel, sin embargo, llegó a ser justo a través de su experiencia con YHVH y así es como nosotros, sus descendientes, llegamos a ser justos, como lo hizo nuestro padre Abraham.

Sin embargo, ¿por qué poner a Noé e incluso a Job (a quien también se critica en los comentarios modernos) en una mala posición? Esto tiene poco sentido, si tomamos la Biblia como una defensa del carácter de Di-s y que el hombre es falible y nadie para instruir al Creador sobre lo que debe hacer.

Hablemos del intento de intervención de Abraham por Sodoma. ¿Fue una señal de fe en la sabiduría y la justicia de Di-s lo que lo inspiró a discutir con Él? ¿O fue de alguna manera una falta de confianza?

“Ahora יהוה había dicho: “¿Ocultaré a Abraham lo que voy a hacer, ya que Abraham se convertirá en una nación grande y numerosa y todas las naciones de la tierra se bendecirán por medio de él? Porque lo he escogido para que enseñe a sus hijos y a su posteridad a guardar el camino de Yahweh haciendo lo que es justo y recto, a fin de que YHVH cumpla para Abraham lo que le ha prometido”.


Entonces יהוה dijo: “¡Es tan grande el ultraje de Sodoma y Gomorra, y tan grave su pecado! Descenderé para ver si han obrado todos conforme al clamor que me ha llegado; si no, tomaré nota”. Los agentes se fueron de allí a Sodoma, mientras que Abraham permaneció de pie ante יהוה.


Abraham se adelantó y dijo: “¿Tú barrerás al inocente junto con el culpable? ¿Qué pasa si hay cincuenta inocentes dentro de la ciudad; ¿Entonces destruirás el lugar y no lo perdonarás por causa de los cincuenta inocentes que están en él? Lejos esté de Ti hacer tal cosa, traer la muerte tanto al inocente como al culpable, para que el inocente y el culpable sufran lo mismo. ¡Lejos sea de Ti! ¿No hará justicia el Juez de toda la tierra?” Génesis 18:17-25 Sefaría


¿Cuál es el trasfondo del interrogatorio de Abraham? ¿Por qué dudaría de la sabiduría de Di-s en este momento? ¿Abraham no se dio cuenta del alcance de la culpa de Sodoma? ¿No sabía él de la inmoralidad que rodeaba a su sobrino Lot? Quizás. ¿O es posible que el recuerdo del diluvio aún impactara en gran medida la mente de las personas? Obviamente él había hablado con Noah, porque sus vidas se superpusieron por 58 años. ¿Era temor de que YHVH volviera a destruir el mundo como había sucedido durante la vida de Noé?

Hay muchas cosas que considerar. No estar allí en persona hace que sea difícil juzgar la situación. De la historia de la conversación con Abraham, parece que su argumento no fue ni condenado ni aprobado. El Eterno estaba dispuesto a entablar un debate con él, que es algo de lo que podemos aprender, algo que debería darnos confianza cuando no entendemos los caminos del Todopoderoso. Debería llenarnos de asombro que YHVH se rebajara a considerar el razonamiento de los humanos y mostrarnos que Sus caminos son rectos. De ninguna manera muestra que el hombre puede “educar” a G-D. Y no veo que esta conversación con Abraham sea relativa ni comparable con la historia del diluvio.


Aquí hay varias citas de algunos que presentan el argumento de que Noe era de alguna manera insensible a la difícil situación del mundo…

“A diferencia de Abraham en circunstancias similares, Noé no abogó por sus contemporáneos cuando le dijeron el plan de Dios para destruir el mundo. Cuando Dios le informó a Abraham que estaba a punto de destruir las ciudades de Sodoma y Gomorra debido a la maldad de sus habitantes, Abraham rogaría a Dios que los perdonara, insistiendo en que si se podían encontrar tan solo 10 hombres buenos en Sodoma, era el deber de Dios salvar a la ciudad”. algunos de los hombres y mujeres condenados en el Arca’. Esto demuestra que el ideal ético de la humanidad no estaba desarrollado”. El Sol de Baltimore

“Rashi, el gran comentarista de la Torá del siglo XI ofrece dos opiniones. Él escribe: ‘Hay entre los sabios que ven a Noé positivamente. Ciertamente, si hubiera vivido en una generación de individuos justos, habría sido más justo. Mientras que algunos lo ven negativamente. Si hubiera vivido en la generación de Abraham, se le habría considerado inútil’”. Aish.com


“בדורותיו EN SUS GENERACIONES – Algunos de nuestros rabinos explican (esta palabra) en su favor: él era justo incluso en su generación; se sigue que si hubiera vivido en una generación de personas justas, habría sido aún más justo debido a la fuerza del buen ejemplo. Otros, sin embargo, lo explican para su descrédito: en comparación con su propia generación, fue tenido por justo, pero si hubiera vivido en la generación de Abraham, habría sido tenido por insignificante (cf. Sanedrín 108a). .”

Del Zohar que ha influido en gran parte del pensamiento judío moderno:
“¿Qué le respondió Dios a Noé cuando salió del Arca y vio el mundo destruido? Él [Noé] comenzó a llorar ante Dios y dijo: “Señor del universo, eres llamado compasivo. Deberías haber sido compasivo con tu creación”. Dios respondió y dijo: “Tú eres un pastor necio. ¡¿Ahora dices esto?! ¿Por qué no dijiste esto en el momento en que te dije que te vi justo entre tu generación, o después cuando dije que traeré un diluvio sobre la gente, o después cuando dije que se construyera un arca? Me demoraba constantemente y decía: ‘¿Cuándo va a pedir él [Noé] compasión por el mundo?’ … ¿Y ahora que el mundo está destruido, abres la boca para llorar frente a mí y pedir súplicas? [Zohar Hashmatot, Bereshit 254b]… Aish

Entonces, como dije anteriormente, si la historia de Noé y el diluvio permanece con Noé mencionado más tarde en Ezequiel 14 como uno de los tres representantes de la justicia, quienes aun considerando sus justos méritos no pudieron salvar a la nación, y si Abraham no es mencionado entre ellos, entonces ¿por qué tratar de culpar a Noé de no tener suficiente misericordia para debatir con YHVH acerca de Su decisión de destruir el mundo? ¡Creo que no sabemos lo suficiente del mal que se había apoderado del mundo en ese momento para hacer un asesinato del carácter del hombre justo y perfecto que recibió la recomendación del Todopoderoso, y que fue elegido para repoblar la tierra!


Ariella

de la tribu…

The Flood—Noah’s Fault?

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Condemning Noah? Part 1

There are only two people mentioned before the flood that walked with God. Enoch and Noah. Adam and Eve also did a bit of a walk but their walk was not very long for they hid themselves from their Creator after they ate of the famous tree in the Garden.

Genesis says that Noah was just and perfect and that he “walked” with God.

“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9

“And the Lord said to Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation.” Genesis 7:1

Noah was the only righteous man in his generation, the only one worth saving. It is interesting that of the royal lineage from Seth onward, all had died by the time of the flood, even Methuselah died within a few months of the flood. But Noah and his immediate family was saved from the waters of the flood and was later commanded to be fruitful and multiply and reestablish the earth’s population. Genesis 9:1

Modern and even some Rabbinic commentaries condemn Noah for not pleading with God for the wicked, for obeying submissively, for being a yes-man. But on the other hand, they hold up Abraham as an example for he argued with God about the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

But the question is this…The Bible does not say that Abraham walked with the Eternal, but rather that he was told to walk…

“And when Abram was ninety-nine years old, YHVH appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be perfect.” Genesis 17:1

So I would argue that Noah had perfect obedience, trusted that the Eternal knew what He was doing, was tired of the rebellion and sin that abounded in the immoral acts of the people around him and thus, obeyed the voice of his Creator. Should we condemn him for trusting that God knew what He was doing, and say that Abraham was better and more righteous?

Does the Bible ever say anything disparaging of Noah, other than the episode when he planted a vineyard and got drunk?

Actually, later in the Tanakh, Noah is mentioned with Daniel and Job as stellar examples…

“Even if these three men–Noah, Daniel and Job–were in it (the Land of Israel), they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares YHVH.” Eze 14:14

If Abraham was more righteous, then why is he not mentioned here? The life of Abraham is a series of tests and growth. He became righteous through these tests and was promised inheritance and that all who blessed him would be blessed, but he is not singled out as one of the most righteous. Abraham is an example and father of Israel, yet he became righteous through his experience with YHVH and this is the way we, his descendants, become righteous—as our father Abraham did.

Yet why put Noah, and even Job (who is also criticized in modern commentaries) in a bad light? This makes little sense, if we take the Bible as upholding the character of God and that man is fallible and not one to instruct the Creator on what he should do.

Let’s talk about Abraham’s attempted intervention for Sodom. Was it a sign of faith in God’s wisdom and justice that inspired him to argue with Him? Or was it somehow a lack of trust?

“Now YHVH had said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham is to become a great and populous nation and all the nations of the earth are to bless themselves by him? For I have singled him out, that he may instruct his children and his posterity to keep the way of YHVH by doing what is just and right, in order that YHVH may bring about for Abraham what has been promised him.”

“Then YHVH said, “The outrage of Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave! I will go down to see whether they have acted altogether according to the outcry that has reached Me; if not, I will take note.” The agents went on from there to Sodom, while Abraham remained standing before YHVH.

“Abraham came forward and said, “Will You sweep away the innocent along with the guilty? What if there should be fifty innocent within the city; will You then wipe out the place and not forgive it for the sake of the innocent fifty who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing, to bring death upon the innocent as well as the guilty, so that innocent and guilty fare alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” Genesis 18:17-25 Sefaria

What is the backdrop for Abraham’s questioning? Why would he doubt God’s wisdom at this time? Did Abraham not realize the extent of Sodom’s guilt? Did he not know about the immorality that surrounded his nephew, Lot? Perhaps. Or is it possible that the memory of the deluge still impacted people’s minds to a great extent? Obviously he had spoken to Noah, for their lives overlapped by 58 years. Was it a fear that YHVH would again destroy the world as had happened during the life of Noah?

There are a lot of things to consider. Not being there in person makes it difficult to judge the situation. From the story of the conversation with Abraham, it seems that his argument was neither condemned nor approved. The Eternal was willing to engage in debate with him which is something we can learn from– something that should give us confidence when we do not understand the ways of the Almighty. It should fill us with amazement that YHVH should stoop to consider the reasoning of humans and show us that His ways are right. It in no way shows that man can “educate” God. And this conversation with Abraham is relative nor comparable to the story of the flood.

Here are some quotes from some who present the argument that Noah was somehow insensitive to the world’s plight…

“Unlike Abraham in similar circumstances, Noah did not plead for his contemporaries when he was told God’s plan to destroy the world. When God informed Abraham that he was about to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of the evil of their inhabitants, Abraham would beg God to spare them, insisting that if as few as 10 good men could be found in Sodom, it was God’s duty to spare the city. “But as far as we can tell from the text, Noah ‘did not even consider smuggling a few of the doomed men and women in the Ark.’ This shows that humanity’s ethical ideal was undeveloped.” The Baltimore Sun

“Rashi, the great 11th century Jewish Torah commentator, offers two opinions. He writes: ‘There are among the sages who view Noah positively. Certainly, had he been living in a generation of just individuals, he would have been more just. While some view him negatively. Had he been living in the generation of Abraham, he would have been considered worthless.’” Aish

“IN HIS GENERATIONS — Some of our Rabbis explain it (this word) to his credit: he was righteous even in his generation; it follows that had he lived in a generation of righteous people he would have been even more righteous owing to the force of good example. Others, however, explain it to his discredit: in comparison with his own generation he was accounted righteous, but had he lived in the generation of Abraham he would have been accounted as of no importance. (cf. Sanhedrin 108a).”

From the Zohar:

“What did God answer Noah when he left the Ark and saw the world destroyed? He [Noah] began to cry before God and he said, “Master of the universe, You are called compassionate. You should have been compassionate for Your creation.” God responded and said, “You are a foolish shepherd. Now you say this?! Why did you not say this at the time I told you that I saw that you were righteous among your generation, or afterward when I said that I will bring a flood upon the people, or afterward when I said to build an ark? I constantly delayed and I said, ‘When is he [Noah] going to ask for compassion for the world?’ … And now that the world is destroyed, you open your mouth, to cry in front of me, and to ask for supplication?” [Zohar Hashmatot, Bereishit 254b]…Aish

So, as I said earlier, if the story of Noah and the flood remains with Noah later mentioned in Ezekiel 14 as one of the three representatives of righteousness, whom even considering their righteous merits could not save the nation, and if Abraham is not mentioned among them, then why try to guilt Noah of not having enough mercy to debate with YHVH about His decision to destroy the world? I believe we do not know enough of the evil that had overtaken the world at that time to make a character assassination of the just and perfect man who received the Almighty’s recommendation, and who was chosen to repopulate the earth!

Ariella

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