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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Why are we reading and studying these verses in Genesis - because we learn from the successes and failures of the past. This is God's Word for His People - to be led – and guided. We can learn from this Word how to avoid the errors of others. We can do that if we are willing to learn.
In Genesis Chapter 9 verse 20, Noah began to work the soil.
He planted a vineyard, made wine, and got drunk!
In his drunkenness, he lay uncovered in his tent. The word does not mean the covers fell off - there is here the implication of sexual perversion. The word means to reveal SELF! Drunkenness makes one do that!
After all this man of God had done - what had gone wrong? Noah was a man who walked with God - a man who was faithful in a time of wickedness and apostasy. Noah had shown unwavering obedience, but during an unguarded moment he got drunk and disgraced himself.
When we lower our defences - the enemy can suddenly make in-roads, and in a moment we can become degraded. (Consider ‘Office Parties’ in December!)
Noah was righteous by the grace of God - he was NOT GOOD in himself - he was a sinner. We need to remember this - we all have weaknesses. There are areas where we are vulnerable. We need the presence of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit to control our lives - because if we throw off the grace of Jesus and discard the Holy Spirit - then the real self can be revealed. Think of King David!
Noah got drunk, and disgraced and degraded himself. Each of us is capable of this!
Wine is not condemned as bad in itself, but it is a tricky substance. Proverbs mentions wine three times in a good sense - and three times in a bad sense. As we see here, wine can be dangerous.
Wine can release restraints, and before we know it, things within our nature can come out which normally we have been able to keep under control.
Noah had been righteous and obedient but - things went wrong. God warns us of the dangers we face when we throw off any restraints. This incident of drunkenness harmed his family, and it continues to harm families today.
The lesson for us all is - the results of our sin usually spread further than we expect.
Noah was not good by nature - but by grace. That is why we so need the grace of God and the continual guidance and direction and help of the Holy Spirit.
God exposes the failures and weaknesses of many men of God, and this contributes to the reality of the truth of this Word. If we had been writing this book, we would have left this out - omitted it - no need for that. It is possible to go through all that Noah went through and FALL.
We can only be what God wants us to be by the Love and Grace of the Lord Jesus.
Verse 22 - Ham gazed at his father - and gossiped about his father. "Told" implies telling with delight. It is as if he enjoyed the disgrace of his father.
Verse 24 - When Noah finally awoke, he realised that what his son had done to him was wrong. We now read of curses.
For gazing and gossiping with delight upon what you saw - you can be cursed.
No wonder many people want to get away from the Old Testament. It is almost too true - too relevant - to be read. But let's learn the lessons - how we act and behave as men and women of God affects and influences others - in areas of which we may not be aware.
Noah's other two sons act so differently - Shem and Japheth show such respect. They came with a cover and walked backwards - they did not want to see their dear father disgraced. They minister to their father who had led them to a real living saving faith - to a faith which had rescued them from the waters of the Flood.
There is a respect here for their father - even when there might have been reason for them to behave otherwise.
It is always right to show respect. It is always right to do your duty. The Word of God makes it so clear - and when we act in these ways - Jesus always desire to bless.
He already knew GOD, and was in a relationship with GOD, and even after all this Noah was able to see down the future years, and speak words of blessing.
“Almighty God, I see that following a time of spiritual height, and victory, dangers can suddenly arise and appear. Teach me the profound lessons surrounding Noah following The Flood. Make me aware of the dangers should I be tempted to misuse wine. Father, Your Word is so comprehensive in its blessings and warnings – let its truth be planted deep within my heart – in Jesus name. Amen.”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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