Cursed For Talking

Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard. He drank some of the wine, became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. Then Shem and Japheth took a cloak and placed it over both their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father's nakedness. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father naked.

When Noah awoke from his drinking and learned what his youngest son had done to him, he said:

Canaan will be cursed. He will be the lowest slave to his brothers.

He also said: praise The Lord, the God of Shem; Canaan will be his slave. God will extend Japheth; he will dwell in the tents of Shem; Canaan will be his slave,

Now Noah lived 350 years after the flood. So Noah's life lasted 959 years; then he died. Genesis 9:20-29

Noah uncovered himself; nakedness was associated with shame. Adam's nakedness caused him shame. Noah's sin was Ham's stumbling block. Ham dishonoured his father by staring at his nakedness and reporting it to his brothers.

Shem and Japheth had a noble response and covered their father's nakedness without looking. Later, in Exodus 21:17 the law stipulated a curse for dishonouring a parent.

Parents often bring shame on their families and it is important as to how the families handle the shame. Today we tend to talk freely, even criticising our parents for their failures. Perhaps we can learn something about honour. One of the 10 commandments states we must honour our parents so that our life would be long in the land. God cherishes honour.

How do we handle our parent's shame, do we cover it or publish it? In a day when 'it is all about me, what he/she did to me, me, me, me,' we are drunk with our own importance. What does God value?

It is interesting that Canaan, Ham's firstborn carried the sin of his father. The Canaanites did indeed become the slaves of the other tribes of Israel. Who do we curse by our sin?

I praise God for Christ. When I sin: either against my parents or others, by what I say; I can go to God in repentance and receive forgiveness.

If it had not have been for Christ I know I would be in a cursed mess. Thank You Lord! Amen!