We hear about the ark, the dove, the rainbow... but then what? Turns out, things weren’t exactly smooth sailing.
Imagine this: The world is starting over. Noah and his family are tasked with repopulating the earth. A monumental job. But there’s a problem. A big one. According to the Book of Jubilees, the world is crawling with demons. And these aren't just any demons; they're actively leading astray, blinding, and even slaying Noah's descendants! for a second. You survive a catastrophic flood, only to find your grandchildren are being targeted by malevolent spirits. What do you do?
Well, Noah does what he always does: He prays.
The Book of Jubilees, a text considered canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and considered important by many others, tells us that Noah’s sons came to him, deeply concerned. "They told him concerning the demons, which were leading astray and blinding and slaying his sons' sons." It’s a pretty direct and disturbing description.
So, Noah turns to the only place he knows will listen. He pours out his heart to God. His prayer, as recorded in Jubilees, is both a plea and a powerful affirmation of faith.
He begins by acknowledging God's mercy: "God of the spirits of all flesh, who hast shown mercy unto me, And hast saved me and my sons from the waters of the flood, And hast not caused me to perish as Thou didst the sons of perdition." He recognizes God’s grace and mercy, acknowledging the incredible deliverance he and his family experienced. "For Thy grace hath been great towards me, And great hath been Thy mercy to my soul."
But Noah's prayer isn't just about gratitude. It’s also about the future. He asks for a blessing, a continuation of God’s favor so that they can fulfill their purpose: "But do Thou bless me and my sons, that we may increase and multiply and replenish the earth." It's a simple, yet profound request – to thrive, to rebuild, to fill the world with life once more.
What's striking about this passage is the very human element. Even after surviving the apocalypse, Noah faces new challenges. The threat of demons isn't a cosmic battle fought by angels; it’s a very real, very personal struggle affecting his family. He is a grandfather, concerned for the well-being of his descendants.
It reminds us that even in the most sacred stories, we find echoes of our own lives. We too face challenges, unseen forces that threaten to lead us astray. And like Noah, we can turn to faith, to prayer, to something bigger than ourselves, for strength and guidance. And we might just find that even after the storms, there's still hope for a blessed future.