Scripture:
Genesis 9:20-25
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
naked 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 naked body. Their faces were
turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.
24 When Noah awoke from his wine and found out
what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said,
“Cursed be
Canaan!
The lowest of slaves
will he be to his brothers.”
The lowest of slaves
will he be to his brothers.”
How do you react when someone catches you making a
mistake? Do you get defensive? Do you get embarrassed? Do you lash out at them?
Or do you humbly admit your fault and move on?
Noah worked patiently on the ark for years but
quickly lost his patience when his youngest son, Ham, made fun of him to his
brothers as Noah lay naked in a drunken stupor. In fact, Noah becomes so angry
with Ham that he curses Ham's descendants (Canaan was Ham's oldest son) to be
slaves to the rest of the family.
How is that fair? Canaan didn't have anything to
do with it and yet he's the one Noah curses! And laying down a curse on someone
just because they laughed at you when you made a mistake?
No doubt that Ham should have shown more respect
for his father, but Noah's reaction is certainly blowing the situation out of
proportion.
What would have happened if Noah had given Ham a
firm look and a few stern words instead? What would have happened if he had
admitted his own fault in the affair and resolved to be more careful in the
future?
When we make a mistake, let's not further it by
becoming defensive or lashing out at those who witness it. Instead, let us fix
our spirits toward humility and grace as we seek to resolve our fault.
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