In His Imageনমুনা

Day 33: Noah, A Man of the Soil

Discover: Genesis 9:18-29 provides the concluding details of Noah's life. The passage begins by recalling Noah's sons, whose roles become significant in the story. Early on, Moses highlights Canaan, the only grandson mentioned in these verses. These men are now responsible for repopulating the earth after the Flood. Noah returns to dry land and plants a vineyard but gets drunk on his wine and lies naked in his tent. Ham, one of Noah's sons, discovers his father naked. The nature of Ham's actions is unclear, but they are disrespectful—possibly ridiculing or even of a sexual nature, reflecting the sins of the Canaanites. Instead of covering his father out of respect, Ham tells his brothers what happened and mocks Noah's nakedness and drunkenness. Shem and Japheth, Noah’s other sons, show respect by covering their father without looking at him. When Noah wakes up and learns what happened, he curses Ham’s son, Canaan. Noah praises God and seeks favor for Shem and Japheth. He states twice that Canaan will be a servant to Shem. Noah lived to the age of 950 years.

Learn: Though God blesses and uses Noah in mighty ways, this passage demonstrates the brokenness of man. Upon returning to the ground, Noah and his son revert to sin. Noah chooses drunkenness, and Ham chooses to dishonor his father. During Noah’s brokenness, his son glorifies his sin and encourages his family to sin. Shem and Japheth, however, responded in a way that honors Noah and God. Their act demonstrates the same love God shows Adam and Eve when He covers their shame in the Garden. When Noah awakens, he curses Canaan. More than this, Noah blesses his other two sons and shows them favor while he neglects to do the same for Ham. This passage is a sobering reminder of the brokenness of man, even those significantly blessed by God.

Apply: Noah and Ham are men greatly blessed by God yet succumb to sin. Similarly, as children of God, we are never beyond the reach of sin. We all experience moments of shame, especially in our relationship with God. However, we must delve deeper into His character to be covered by His righteousness when our human efforts inevitably fail. Just as God covers Adam and Eve's shame in the Garden, Noah's other sons cover his shame in this passage. We must strive to emulate God's righteous character to respond like Shem and Japheth. Due to their obedience to God's commands and their love for their father, they are greatly blessed. When you or others around you fall into sin, how can you respond in a way that reflects God's righteousness and love, much like Shem and Japheth did?