Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Children's children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father." Proverbs 17:6
Text: Genesis 9:1-28
THE RE-POPULATION OF THE EARTH
We have an interesting editorial comment in the following text. If and when one attempts to trace the history of the human race, attention must be paid to the place of Noah’s three sons.
“Now the sons of Noah who went out of the ark was Shem,
Ham and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan. These
three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth
was populated.”GENESIS 9:18
The Pre-Noahic generations were wiped out completely! We cannot give scant attention to the role that Noah’s family played in the work of re-population of the earth!
NOAH’S MOMENT OF WEAKNESS
Noah had turned his hand to farming. For some reason, he planted a vineyard. After he had harvested the grapes, he had learned how to make wine. He tasted his own wine and along the way became inebriated!
Perhaps, he did not realize the strength of the wine he made. Or perhaps, he was not much of a drinker. Whatever, the case, he became drunk and became “uncovered in his tent” (Genesis 9:21). This certainly was not his finest hour! How very human Noah was!
TWO DIFFERENT RESPONSES
The children of Noah must have noted that their beloved father had become drunk. Two sets of responses are recorded for our exhortation and edification.
1. The Response of Ham
Ham showed little respect for his aged father. Perhaps, he despised his father when he saw Noah in his drunken stage. He informed his brothers that he had seen their father “uncovered” (Genesis 9:22). By doing this, Ham dishonoured his father!
2. The Response of Shem and Japheth
The response of the brothers, Shem and Japheth was outstanding. They wanted to preserve the dignity of their father. They loved and honoured their father, despite his moment of weakness. A single moment of weakness surely does not cancel out a life-time of walking with the Lord! They walked backwards and covered their father with much love and respect (Genesis 9:23).
INROADS OF SIN
Noah was not blameless when he became drunk! Ham chose a rather poor response. Once again, the inroads of sin had begun to trouble Noah and his family! How we must be ever watchful and diligent in our faith and life!