Handling It Differently

inspirations14

Dec 2

(Genesis 9:20-27) (ESV) Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness. When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, he said, "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers." He also said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant." - 1) (Leviticus 18:7) tells us that we must not uncover our father's or mother's nakedness. It's one of the sexual laws God gave to the Israelites. Although, Noah exposed himself when he became drunk and fell asleep naked in his tent. 2) Honor your mother and father is a commandment of God. Ham could have covered his father, like his brothers did. He also could have been discreet enough not to say anything to his brothers about it. Telling them about it, was not honoring Noah. Ham's brothers went into the tent backwards so they wouldn't see their father's nakedness, and covered him. 3) This is what Jesus meant when He said, "First go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, and not sacrifice." (Matt. 12:7) God said that too, by the way; in (Hosea 6:6). We could say that Noah could have handled Ham's disobedience differently, as well. That mercy vs. sacrifice thing applies to him too. Now, here's where the golden rule comes in. (Matt. 7:12) "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." And, see how nicely it fits together?