January 4, 2010 Devotion

Lesson To Be Learned
Genesis 9:20-23 (NIV)

20 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father's nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father's nakedness.

Discernment between right and wrong is critical to our relationship with God. So is learning from our mistakes.

Shortly after the flood waters receded, Noah planted a garden and made fermented wine, which he got drunk from. Apparently, God had no problem with that. As a result, he went to sleep in his tent. His son Ham either went into his father’s tent, and saw him naked, at which time he told his brothers. Shem and Japeth in turn, walked backward into the tent and covered their father’s nakedness.

It appears that Ham had not learned anything from the flood and destruction of the entire earth, and as a result, his son Canaan was cursed. Canaan’s descendants were the first ones destroyed by the Jewish nation. Their land was given to Israel by God.

Here are the points to ponder.

Noah did get drunk and was not condemned by God. Sometimes drinking alcohol is not wrong. Ham went into his father’s tent, saw him naked, and told his brothers. That is always wrong.

What is the lesson we can learn here?

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV) Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Love, Pastor Don