Noah and his family

Ephesians 2 Genesis 9: 20-29
We have already discussed alcohol and its effects on people. We should not be filled with wine but with the Holy Spirit, we should turn to God. The Bible is relevant for all time and it is there to instruct us. There are basic lessons and warnings for our lives. The basic building block for human society is the family. Our world needs a structured life and authority. Today we have a lack of structure and authority in the home.
A FATHER’S SHAME – verse 22
Alcohol makes us feel ‘warm’, it doesn’t really, but Noah stripped off and lay naked. It makes us lose our inhibitions. Nakedness leads us to vice of all kinds. Naturism purports to be natural and innocent, it is not, for hearts are sinful. The Lord warns against exposing our nakedness in worship. We should wear a covering over our lower bodies. Noah, who had set a good example was found in a shameful condition, out of character. It was done privately not publicly which would have been even worse. We need to be consistent, especially in our own homes. Christian parents are often ashamed of what they have said and done. Children can be very forgiving, Noah was a forgiven man. He was good man, this action was out of character. Noah was covered eternally by the righteousness of God.
A SON’S SHAMEFUL RESPONSE – verse 22
Noah dishonours himself, and then he is dishonoured by his son. Why was he condemned?
a) The sin was in the way he reacted, no grief but gossip. He may have leered and made fun of his father. The text suggests this. It was an unnecessary sharing of shame. It we point a finger at someone else, three still point back at us. He had probably been affected by the sexual sin of the old world that had been destroyed. A prisoner gets used to the stench of a prison. We get used to the stench of sin. The popular press thrives on reporting sin, especially those of fallen preachers. We need to avoid needless exposure to the world.
b) There was a lack of proper respect. He did not protect his father. Ham took advantage of his father’s weakness. He did not honour his father, see the 5th commandment. It was the first command with a promise. Respect for parents undergirds society. It is a command of God, if we cross that line there will be consequences – curses. There are consequences in our society. Society is under a curse and it suffers for it. It is hard, especially when parents have been neglectful or abusive. Jesus honoured and obeyed his flawed, sinful parents, he was the perfect child. He is called the everlasting father and we can show respect for him.
c) He did not value his father’s religion. He mocked Noah when he saw he had fallen. If it hadn’t been for Noah, Ham would have drowned. Ham helped build the ark, and outwardly he went along with his father’s faith. But in his heart he was really with the world, not with his father’s God. He had seen the horrors of God’s judgement but he was smug when he saw his father’s sin. Children need to know the Lord personally and not rely on someone else’s faith.
TWO SONS RESPECTFUL RESPONSE – verse 23.
They were shocked and amazed at their father had done. They took the garment, possibly a treasured robe. They did not want to look. They honoured him, they grieved over his fall. They knew that it was not typical. We must turn away from sin and turn away and cover the failings of those who are our parents. God covered Adam and Eve’s nakedness – i.e., shame.
A FATHER’S RESPONSE – verse 24
a) A curse for Canaan – verse 25.
(i) Maybe he was involved in sinful disrespect. Maybe the son was a party to Ham’s disrespect.
(ii) It showed the mercy of God. He sinned as a son, he was punished as a son.
(iii) Ham reaped as he sowed.
(iv) It was more of prophecy than a curse. Israel conquered Canaan and made slaved of the Canaanites.
(v) The sins of parents affect their children sometimes for Generations – see Exodus 20:5. It went into Sodom and Gomorra. Also see Exodus 20:5, families are affected by the sins of parents. Families are hurt by the sins of their parents. Children suffer because of parents’ self-centred, sinful lives. Some children are loved, some abused. Only when you put God in the picture do children have a chance. If Canaan and his family continue in sexual deviancy, they will suffer.
This was used to justify slavery and apartheid, enslaving humans is wrong and never justified in the Bible.
b) A blessing for Shem – verse 26. He has a personal relationship with the Lord and God is going to make his line a special race – see Luke 3:35. Abraham was one of his descendants as was David, Joseph and Mary who gave birth to Jesus. The God of Shem is the God of the Lord Jesus.
c) A blessing for Japheth – verse 27. His descendants will be numerous and dominant in the World, Indo-European people. Japheth will come under Shem’s shelter, they will be brought into God’s family, as in the Day of Pentecost. If we are Christians today, it is because of Shem’s blessing and belief in his God. One day people of all races will know the God of Shem and become his offspring in a spiritual sense. Is this true for you today?
CONCLUSIONS
a) Always be careful not to allow other’s sin to trigger sin in you. It is easier to copy others than to follow God.
b) Always remember sin has consequences. Shouldn’t Noah have been punished? He was, he suffered shame for the rest of his life. It is the last thing we know of Noah.
c) Always remember the important thing is not background. Rahab was a Canaanite who was saved. The Canaanite woman in Matthew l5 found her great faith was rewarded.
d) Always remember we experience blessing in obedience. We must obey and pay the price.
e) Always remember every sin can be forgiven, if you repent. Henry says ‘we never read that Noah was drunk again.’ Even if we lapse, the grace of God covers, restores, teaches and renews. If we fail God will forgive us and set us on the road again – see Peter and David who were restored. We need to heed the warnings and encouragements of the Word.