I have always had a fascination with the story of Noah and his family. I love water and have been captivated by oceans in particular since I was a small child, but I am terrified of it as well. The beauty and power of it, a small trickle can carve canyons, and the absolute dread and enchantment with what lies beneath. I have lived for short periods on boats, but the thought of being on the Ark, with all those animals, insects, and birds for so long, being responsible for the future of life, knowing all else had been covered and drowned, enticed and horrified me. The story of the Flood has always held allure for me because it raises so many strong and conflicting emotions, to this day. When I began to delve further into Biblical history I started…show more content… “Melchizedek means “King of righteousness” (Heb. 7:1-2). He was known as the great high priest (Alma 13:14), priest of the most high God (Gen. 14:18) ordained as priest after the order of the Son of God (Heb 7:3). He’s also known as Abram/ Abraham’s ecclesiastical leader (Gen. 14:19) (Gen. 14:20) (Heb. 7:4) and king of Salem (Gen. 14:18.)” (Hunter, 2011, para. 2) These things all fit with who and what Shem was; a righteous man, a high priest, and a teacher and mentor to Abraham. Shem lived another 500 years past the flood. (Genesis 11:11) It is very possible for him to be this person, or perhaps Melchizedek was a title. Back to the fact that he lived five hundred years past the flood, outliving most of his children. That alone begs the question as to why there is hardly mention of “Shem” throughout the bible? There are many references to Melchizedek. I believe that they are the same person, and from that belief, I am intrigued by Shem, and his life and I want to learn more about…show more content… He faithfully followed God, and led his children to follow Him as well. He was a survivor, a King, a High Priest, and father to many nations of people. A few of the most outstanding themes of his life, were also themes of our session, obedience and morality. We spoke in depth about the obedience of Abraham when called to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham was the great (x9) grandchild of Shem. Shem was Abraham’s mentor, high priest, and teacher. Who taught Abraham to love and follow God the way that he did? Shem’s children and their children, and so on, all learned to love, follow, and obey God from him. The question of nature verses nurture segues nicely here. Are there some things that translate through our genes? Traits able to be strengthened or bypassed by outside influences, of course, but preset before we are even born? I would say that by this family’s story, God sure hoped so. He saved the one most righteous man, and his family, in the hope that they would engender the spread of righteousness over the earth. Knowing of course that sin would prevail, at least to the degree that it would still exist. But hoping that by starting with Noah, the most obedient and moral man, He could stack the deck a little? I think that Shem, and through him, Abraham and all the wonderful men and women throughout the generations, succeeded in that hope. Moreover, through them and their stories we all have a clear picture of what that faith and obedience looks
