Noah: the movie! yet another review.

The movie has received a lot of negative press because it doesn't follow the Bible point for point and period for period and even draws a lot of the plot from rather questionable sources (the glowing stones for example, zohar, come from Jewish mysticism).  Though, I think we can agree that following the story point for point would make for a rather short and rather quiet film (I would need to go back and check for dialogue).

Dramatic license was taken, of course, but it does something that is really important regardless -- it puts these culturally significant people and themes into a modern generation's conscience quite dramatically.  It also brings questions to the table for people to discuss which flings the doors wide open for people to share even more with those who don't know or are unfamiliar with the Bible.

Something else I noticed that was interesting was whether the characters were good or bad (with the exception of Methuselah) everyone seemed to be seeking God's guiding voice, though they were too caught up in their woes (the angels in stone) or their pride (Tubal-Cain) or their calling (Noah - which becomes important for other reasons) they were unable to hear Him except for in the calm.

Noah heard God when he was asleep when he was feeling safe and comfortable, yet when he was caught up in a torrent of the storm and the cries of the dying, and then the pregnancy of his daughter-in-law which is contrary to what he thought (even though he told Methuselah that ALL of creation could start again), he couldn't hear God.  He couldn't see that Ila's -- is it a spoiler? -- miracle was a miracle.

Tubal-Cain was constantly trying to prove his power equal to anyone else, even God.  He even shouted in the rain (in the movie) that he can grant life and take life away just like God.  Except this is where hubris kicks in like a master, because Tubal-Cain can't grant life, he can only take life.  However, God may take life but, he can also raise that life back up.  Good luck Tubal-Cain on that one.  All the antagonist can do is murder, and because he can't see the blatantly obvious suffering he has caused he can't hear God's voice.  His whole life is out of whack with God.

*spoiler*

Methuselah of lore was said to have killed demons and
was even approached by a demon once seeking mercy.

I also would like to take note of Methuselah's death.  First, for purists, yes Methuselah died before the flood by about a week I think and in the movie-- well I'll get there.  I have been asked from time to time, as I talk to people, "What good does God do for me?".  The movie shows some really important aspects to this question.  Christians are promised strife and battle and challenges.  A friend once commented to me that if you call yourself a Christian and you're not facing challenges, you're probably out of whack somewhere.
 This is Noah.  Methuselah, on the other hand, lived his life and fought his battles (have to admit I found the flaming sword rather awesome), but he also knew what was coming and that this was the end.  He found his berry, he found a bit of joy, and then he stood and was awash in the waters but did so with joy and with courage unlike so many others heard wailing not long after.

This is just one of the key aspects.  When death comes to call, it has no power over you because you have no fear of it.  You go to see the one who conquered death and will grant you life.

Something else noted about Methuselah-- he seemed to have undefined magical powers which some critics are shouting are demonic and evil.  Okay, I can understand that, however, I don't believe those were Methuselah's powers.  Granted the film was rather vague on this, but he served God's will with them.  Ila's renewed womb was a miracle that was needed to allow mankind to progress which was in contrast to what Noah understood (which goes back to Noah not being able to fully hear God's voice).  I could kind of see God working through Methuselah rather than assuming that he has some sort of magical abilities.  Imagine being a Hebrew following Moses, he performed some amazing feats *sarcasm added* without walking the crowd saying, "Yo, God did this."  However, I don't see why they couldn't have made some minor mention in the movie that Methuselah was blessed by God and could work with his will -- unless the point was that we are now alone at all times (thus back to why no one can hear God, but then when the "watchers" died they ascended -- also a story of redemption tied to the destruction).

*end spoiler*

I guess, to sum up all of this up, this movie sort of stood as a shining light to something a pastor I knew once said, If you want to know God's will and hear God's voice, live your life in a way that is pleasing to God and in accordance to His laws and then, whatever it is you want to do it is already driven by the will of God and His voice is guiding you.