A Word in Time

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When we consider these words we can appreciate what the writer of the book of Genesis was seeking to do. He was trying to make sense of so many of the problems he saw around him as he wrote, stemming from the different races, the different languages and the very different ways of life. Perhaps as we reflect on the world we live in today, as from time to time we mark One World Week, we can understand his emotions, his confusion over why something that began as an ideal (unity of all God's people) fell apart so much. Over the centuries there has been so much conflict and disharmony in a people whom we read are all children of the one God, the creator God, whom we still honour in our worship today. Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth. (v. 9) Lord God, open our minds and hearts to the possibilities of the beyond, that we may be comforted on our journey through life here on earth. Amen. God, as you care for and encourage the spring flowers to burst through the soil after winter's sleep, may we care for and encourage others to grow and flower into the best possible version of themselves. Amen.

The language is certainly very colourful and the writing intense. Indeed, it may leave us feeling a little uncomfortable. The ‘scoffers’ suggest that the world is continuing much the same as it always has and that the promises of Jesus are proving fruitless. However misguided these ‘godless’ people’s views may seem though, would we like to see them destroyed by fire along with the heavens and the earth? Is this how we imagine the judgement of God? Vineyards and workers hired for the day were common features of first-century life in Galilee; the town square or 'marketplace' was where those looking for work would hang out hopefully. As with fruit-growing today, extra casual workers were needed at harvest time, and it was normal for fit people to work for 12 hours from shortly after sunrise until sunset. The urgency of getting the grapes harvested at the optimal time would account for the landowner himself going to the marketplace rather than sending one of his full-time workers, and he would do it several times during the day to secure as many person-hours of work as possible. There is no reason to suppose those employed late in the day had been lazy; they may for example have been harvesting their own small fields and then had time left over. The text raises many questions in my mind, because of this. How could one man set himself against all those living around him, and build a craft which is so alien to the land where it is being constructed. We might wonder how he was able to access all the materials he needed to build the ark. Where did he source all the food and how did he collect the animals together? Nevertheless, he presented himself as ready as he had been told. We read that “Noah did all that was commanded from him.” ( v. 22)And into that silence comes the sound of people – broken, bewildered and bereaved. For not all who have participated in conflict have died – many more continue to live with their injured bodies, their troubled minds, their disturbed spirits – and we will remember them. Not all who suffer the effects of conflict have engaged in battle; those who are left behind are also profoundly affected. And we will remember them. These and everything like them – notice the throwaway remark in verse 9, ‘and any other commandment’ (about personal relationships) – must be adhered to in every relationship. (For a similar list, see yesterday’s reading, Romans 12:9-16). What is a positive recurring theme in the letter is the reminder to recall the words they first received of the holy prophets, the apostles and Jesus himself; an exhortation to keep the faith in the face of adversity and not to be distracted from it.

There are images in the story of wedding, water and wine. The prophet Isaiah mentions the coming salvation with symbols of wine (I saiah 25:6) and wedding feast ( 62:4-5). The water held in jars for ritual washing in this story foreshadows the 'living water' Jesus speaks of by the well in Samaria ( John 4) and connects the person of Jesus to ideas of purity and life. The steward also exclaims how the best wine is kept for last and perhaps we can find a similar thought in the last words of John Wesley, "The best of all is, God is with us".Tradition tells us that Matthew's Gospel was authored by Matthew the tax collector, the disciple of Jesus. There is also an understanding that Matthew took Mark’s Gospel as his primary source. As is clear, Matthew's Gospel is considerably longer than Mark's, and some suggest the use of an outside source which we do not have. Although written in Greek, it is believed that the original may have been in Aramaic as the style is much in that tradition. Matthew uses many Old Testament references and the opening section, containing the birth of Jesus, is from that genre.