Genesis 9 - The Curse of Canaan

I cannot claim to have a strong understanding of the reason and role of cursing in the Old Testament. It leaves us with difficult questions about why future generations are victims of their parents sins. It is a reality, however, that even into today's world we see the power of sin passing down through generations. We cannot escape the far reaching consequences of sin in a relational world. The language of the west is "free choice" but the reality is that no choice is free of implications for those around us.

"Why shouldn't you be able to get quietly drunk in the confines of your own home?", "As long as it doesn't hurt anyone else"

Common words spoken in our society and yet if only we took a moment to consider the story of Noah or even look closely at our own lives, the foolishness of those words would become apparent. Every choice we make can have far reaching consequences. Just a little drunkenness** led from one thing to another and the destiny of a nation was compromised. Let us not minimise the danger of sin or deconstruct everything until we lose all grasp on what is right or wrong. Sin devastates.

Thank God that he has made a way to break the power of generational sin and to deliver us from our own sin. Let us fall into the arms of the God who rescues.


**I enjoy a drink myself and am not condemning the consumption of alcohol in moderation. It just happens that in this story the root of the consequences lay there. All manner of sin has equally devastating impact.

What if Ham's sin was sexual?

Having read a number of commentaries now I have found that some people think Ham's sin was sexual. "he looked upon his father's nakedness" is apparently used else where in the bible to describe the sexual act. It is also argued that the reason Noah knew what had happened the next day was because of the evidence of rape. Whether or not these assumptions are correct I still feel the previous post was broadly accurate. We can still contrast God's response to sin in Genesis 3 with Ham's response here. In both stories the guilty end up naked. God stepped in to cover and protect, Ham took advantage of another man's weakness. If we dare to compare our own response to sin with God's what does it reveal?

Genesis 9 - Rethink

I feel a strong conviction that I have failed to expound the greater sin in the story of Noah and Ham. My tendency in the last post was to focus in on Noah's guilt. Adamant that there was someone to blame I pursued Noah for his reckless behavior.

I'm left undone as I realise the very heart of this passage condemns exactly that attitude. Everything in the passage points towards Ham's guilt in this situation. Failing to understand, I did exactly what Ham was guilty of. I pointed the finger, I exposed, I blamed. I didn't take the attitude that God took when he saw Adam naked. God by nature acted with grace, covering Adam's shame. God in love and sacrifice offered Adam a refuge. I, with Ham and the Pharisees and the Church, did what most offended Jesus in his earthly ministry and what was most unlike the God of Genesis 3. I judged, I sought to expose, I sought to shame, I stood tall and proud. Ofcourse sin should be challenged, we need rebuke and correction in the life of our communities. Yet Ham's sin was in his attitude - conceited, arrogant and proud. Aligning himself with the 'righteous' he sought to shame, humiliate and condemn.

I'm astounded at the depth of this passage. At face value I saw a moral lesson but deep beneath the words I have discovered the heart of God. I see the rescuer, the redeemer, the God of outrageous grace. I see him imploring the Church to shake of the spirit of Ham and to regain His image as the one who intervenes, not only with judgment but with grace.

This admission is not to say that we should ignore Noah's error or avoid discussing its implications but that the greater sin and the one the evangelical church should be more acutely aware of is the attitude of judgment and the tendency to want to expose the sin of others. Ham had Genesis 3 as his example, we have countless more stories that tell us about the nature of our God - when will we return to His image and embrace the life of grace?

God help us. Amen.

**I'm acutely aware that God pronounces the curse on Adam and Eve before he covers their shame in Genesis 3. This response is not to undermine the importance of understanding the law and judgment. These are ofcourse foundational to any notion of atonement and rescue. This post however is to address the attitude with which we respond to the sins of others, when we ourselves are often most guilty of all.