Genesis 9:20 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard.
I distinctly remember reading this section the last time I read through the Bible from start to finish. It definitely caught me off guard. I can assure you that I have no memory from my youth of a verse about Noah, drunk and naked, laying in a tent. I’m still unsure what to do with this information. Why would this be part of Genesis?
Genesis 9:21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.
I wonder if the lesson is in how Noah’s sons react to his condition. Ham sees his father, does nothing, and goes to tell his brothers. Commentary posits that Ham made fun of his drunk, naked father, citing the ancient Hebrew text, though I could find no English version that mentions Ham making fun of Noah. However, he does nothing when he sees his father except go tell his brothers. Shem and Japheth are the ones who covered Noah.
Genesis 9:22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside.
Precious Savior, I want to learn the lessons embedded in Your word. I want to draw closer to You with every reading of these verses. You want us to love You and love others–love without ridicule, without making fun, without simply going to tell others while doing nothing. Help us to be Your hands and feet in this world. Help us to love and care for Your people. Amen.
Genesis 9:23 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.
Have a blessed day.