The Book of
Genesis in the Holy Bible depicts the story of the ‘Great Flood’ by which God wiped
out the wicked people from the earth. He was pleased with Noah and so He decided
to save him and his family from the flood.
God ordered him to build an ark, a large wooden boat with ample rooms to
accommodate and maintain representatives of every species of terrestrial
animals and birds. Noah worked with his wife, his three sons- Shem, Ham and
Japheth and their wives and constructed the huge ark. Then, following the
directions of God, Noah and his sons brought pairs of all animals near the ark
and marched them into the ark.
In a humorous legend, which is entirely
fictitious, a stubborn donkey refused to enter the ark. Noah and his sons had
to drag the adamant animal into the ark, overcoming his stupid resistance. In
one version of the legend, Ham, a son of Noah furiously shouted to the donkey, “Oh, you devil, come into the ark”
while pulling him with all his might.
The Devil, who was awaiting an invitation
to enter the ark accepted these impulsive words as an invitation and readily
entered the ark. Though the story is entirely fictitious, the Bible states that
Ham later came under the influence of the Devil and was tempted to treat his
father Noah with disrespect. This evil act led to a historic curse. Noah cursed
Ham that his descendants would become the slaves of his brothers’ descendants.
Harsh
words, uttered impulsively can have disastrous consequences. Unkind words may cause
deep wounds in the minds of those who hear them but wisely spoken words can
heal.
Let us learn to be quick to listen, but slow
to speak and slow to become angry. Let us be kind and tender-hearted to one
another, and forgive one another.
……………………………………………………………………
© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip,
Darsana Academy, Kottayam-686001, Kerala, India ( Former Professor, Cochin
University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala,
India), Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St.
Dominic's College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St.
Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,
Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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