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.