Nuh, Noah and the Ultimate Geometry Teacher

The deluge was coming. What to do. What to do?

The flood came and God spared Noah, his family, and precious of all the world’s animals from a world-engulfing flood.

Two by two. Four by four.

Was civilization in the midst and mist of crumbling and it was right there in front of their eyes? They could not see it. But, oh, they could feet it coming. With a vengeance.

Were the people prepared. Were the animals safe? Would the grounds turn inward and swallow like quick sand? Would the grounds soften too much so as to not strongly hold man and beast. There needed to be a shelter, roof, vessel equipped to house the humans and precious animals who could not fend for themselves.

A flood, a myth, or a deluge of epic proportions?

Where is my protractor when I need it?

Geometry- One of the oldest branches of mathematics is concerned with the properties of space such as distance, shape, size, and relative position of figures. A geometer is a mathematician who works in the field of geometry.

And. Noah was up against a wall of…..water. Drowning was not the answer. In re: the “Flood Myth”, it describes a myth in which a great flood, usually sent by a deity or deities, that destroys civilization, often in an act of divine retribution. Parallels are often drawn between the flood waters of these myths and the primeval waters which appear in certain creation myths.(WK) Noah needed God’s guidance to construct a safe haven.

The flood waters are described as a measure for the cleansing of humanity, in preparation for rebirth.

As historical writings note, Noah was given numerical instructions by God to construct an Ark to save beings. It was to be 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. It has been said the dimensions were based on a numerical preoccupation with the number 60.(WK)

(Allstate, Geico, State Farm-and actuaries of note—please take notes)

The three numerical dimensions reflect the three-part universe imagined by the Israelites—heaven, the earth, the underworld. The vessel is to be made of gopher wood. The finished vessel is to be smeared with koper, pitch or bitumen.

(Ashley, Walter E. Smythe, Home Depot-please take notes.)

In Islam, Nuh aka Noah is also a messenger of God whose mission was to warn his people, who were plunged in depravity and sin. God charged Noah with the duty of preaching to his people, advising them to abandon idolatry and to worship only God and to live good and pure lives. (WK)

(Lebrons, Michaels and Kims of the world—please take notes)

Although Nuh preached the Message of God with zeal, his people refused to mend their ways, leading to building the Ark and the Deluge, The Great Flood. (WK)

The Mission, the Double Character was Nuh’s to charge: He had to warn his people, asking them for repentance and, at the same time, he had to preach about God’s mercy and forgiveness, promising them the glad tidings God would provide if they led righteous lives.(WK)

The construction of the Ark, the animals marching two by two during the great storm was an occurrence that was many, many years before the Titanic went down at the hands of humans drowning many many other humans because there were not enough boats. Life boats.

(Cabelos, Dicks and Outdoor World—please take notes)

Further in the First Epistle of Peter composed around the end of the first century AD compared Noah’s salvation through water to Christian salvation through baptism. St. Hippolytus of Rome sought to demonstrate that “the Ark was a symbol of the Christ who was expected.”

The Vessel had a door on the east side from which God would appear at the Second Coming—the bones of Adam were brought aboard, together with gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Ark floated freely to and fro in the four directions on the waters, making the sign of the cross. (WK)

Beautiful image to keep in one’s mind.

Practicality ordered St. Hippolytus explained of the Ark that the lowest of the decks was for wild beasts, the middle for birds and domesticated animals, and the top for humans. He further stated males and females were separated by sharp stakes to prevent breeding.

Whoa. And. Wow.

Was it the proper construction that saved Noah and the animals? Was it the mercy of God who guided them onto the vessel. Did they always listen? The animals followed two by two because they trusted in the human to provide and care for them.

No brainer there.

St. Augustine of Hippo in his work, The City of God demonstrated that the dimensions of the Ark corresponded to the dimensions of the human body, according to Christian doctrine, is the body of Christ and in turn the body of the Church.

(City of Hope, St. Alexius, General Hospital, Good Shepherd—please take notes.)

Not without its evils and wickedness, the raven, the “foul bird of wickedness” expelled by baptism was sent forth and did not return. More enduringly, the dove and olive branch came to symbolize the Holy Spirit, the hope of salvation and eventually peace.(WK)

That would be so good.

Now. In the meantime, we are left to discern.

To challenge ourselves and the interpretations of the stories and the deeper lessons of the one or ones who bring the water. To the others. The who, what, where, when and why and how of their:

Service.

No where in the story did I absorb judgment.

Did you?

Perhaps you missed the boat. Hopefully you did not, miss a point.

One way to look at vengeance is to de-serve. To deserve is to de-serve. And no one deserves to be de-served. To be de-earned, de-merited, de-rated.

Noah, Nuh, and most importanty the animals teach us how vulnerable we all can be at the hands of one another. Why we don’t regularly choose to extend a gracious hand is a mystery. Why we didn’t choose so in the past is sad. But because we are here in the here and now it is best and “worth it” to do so.

The present is a present to present by being present. Wouldn’t you agree?

Might as well give it a shot. But maybe not that shot……or that one… or that one….