Life is often observed as being an awkward combination of positive and negative happenings- the death of an infantile sparrow counteracted by the majestic blossoming of spring’s first daffodil just one example of innumerable possibilities. The two selections from The Bible as in Literature, A Time for Everything and Heaven and Earth in jest (By Annie Dillard), emphasize this conclusion with multiple references to the spectrum of life’s undertakings. Additional pieces from The Bible as in Literature contribute to the conclusion that life, though at times seeming to be little more than a confusing web of unfortunate, misunderstood and cruelly exhibited behaviors – is more justly likened to a dynamic cycle; each harsh action justified by another of equal or superior beauty.The vicious attack received by Abel has long been assumed the first murder. Cain, in a furious rage of jealousy killed his brother, and after receiving punishment from God, settled away from the Lord’s presence, where he could live a life of marked suffering. Though the aesthetic quality of this narrative is somewhat non-existent from surface observation, adequate study reveals that Cain in fact displayed an attitude of remorse, sorrow, and self loathing for the death of his brother. Through this
display of emotion, Cain’s character emerges as a universal example of repentance- and in being such,
human; a dynamic combination of rash, bemusing and candid behaviors. Similar to the story of these two brothers, in the aspect of jealousy, is that of Joseph. The youngest of twelve, Joseph was stripped and cast into a pit when the envy of his brothers had reached a climax. However, the decision to sell the young boy into slavery failed in a sense as Joseph was destined to become a respected leader in Pharaohs kingdom. The actions of the brothers display a cruel, wholly devastating deed, second only to killing the boy; however, their viciously invested intentions result in one of the most outstanding displays of forgiveness ever witnessed. Though, as a ruler, Joseph had the power to deprive his family of sustenance, he graciously welcomed, saved, and encouraged his kinship. By doing so, the dynamic cycle of cruelty followed by peacefulness, and in this case bliss, was continued. One may find it difficult to conceive the destruction of an entire earth’s population as a wondrous or positive thing. “When the Lord saw how great was the wickedness of human beings on earth, and how their every thought and inclination were always wicked, he bitterly regretted that he had made mankind”. The justification for a world encompassing flood is impossible to comprehend from a level of evil and wickedness. However, when the results of God’s actions are taken into account, the clairvoyance of his purpose is discovered. When the flood had subdued, and the earth lay in a manner of placid anticipation, a dove was sent in search of land. A dove, symbolic of peace, purity, forgiveness, flew over a mirror of people’s annihilation, the exuberant remnants of their persons the glimmer upon the water. Such is the justification of God’s cycle. The death of one people yields opportunity for the achievement of another, and another. The subtraction of evil doing, malice and hate from the world, leaves opportunity for jovial interactions, peace, and to use a cliché- new beginnings. Similar to the previous story, in the sense of
trust and hope for better things to come, is that of Abraham and a test of his
faith. After being asked to offer his son as a sacrifice, the
man was yielded at the last moment by an angel from the Lord. The complete submission of Abraham to God’s will may be seen as a painfully, un-rightly large request; However, the same account of trust may be perceived as the ultimate display of devotion. The tumultuous road of sentiment Abraham must have experienced display too severe an understanding of true pain. But, the relief, the graciousness following the command to cease his actions can only be understood as an incredible moment of beauty- a son and a father connected in a way impossible to re perform. Though the task Abraham was asked to do is among the worst potential trials, his submission to the will of God, a being with assumed superior knowledge, demonstrates trust at its greatest moment of clarity. In being so, blissful appreciation exists as the singular reaction to any such feat. Confusion may be defined as a primary source of unhappiness, vengeance and malice. It is then difficult to understand God’s purpose in dispersing those present at the
tower of Babel with differing languages. “Come, let us go down there and confuse their language, so that they will not understand what they say to one another.” While it is a common assumption by some that God’s intentions in this action were to produce a humorous scene- the core motivation of his action was to test the people of the earth. By introducing a different tongue to each, and thereafter dispersing them from a singular point, God challenged the existence of the human spirit. Their ability to re-establish communication with one another, progress each day into a foreign realm of sounds, places and events characterizes the essence of human drive; the prevailing, incredibly influential motivation that rises in many at times when it is most needed. Such incentive is majestic, and counteracts the cruelty of the dispersion at Babel.
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