"Small sins" have large consequences.
A. Background (18-19)
B. Sin Again (20-27)
1. Noah's sin (20-21)
Our hero is human and is passed out on the floor of his tent naked and in a drunken stupor. The words in the original language inform us that Noah has uncovered himself while in his drunken state. Flashback to Genesis 3. Sin has happened again and so has sinful nakedness – dishonor, shame, and disgrace.
The Bible's description of sin is brief and to the point. We are not left to ponder or visualize. There is no lurid detail to stir up or satisfy carnal appetite.
So, what are we to think? And what are we to drink?
While not the point of the text, we will make a quick detour because it is a large issue in our local Christian culture, a serious problem in America, and a perennial problem throughout history.
The text does not appear to condemn the cultivation, production, or consumption of wine. And other verses confirm this fact (Numbers 15:5-10, Psalm 104.14-15, John 2.10).
Like with food and gluttony, financial blessing and greed/idolatry, the Bible does provide warnings, guidance, wisdom, and prohibitions about wine and its use and effect on life and our witness in the world (Leviticus 10.9, Numbers 6.2-4, Proverbs 31.4-5, Romans 13.13, Galatians 5.19-21).
"Small sins" have large consequences: Ignoring prohibitions. Adding to Scripture. Missing the point of this text like our brothers and sisters did several generations ago.
Our text is not about the "curse of Ham" nor is it about "wine is evil". Other texts talk about wine – good and bad. Let's not miss the big idea by focusing on a smaller one.
2. Ham's sin (22-23)
Ham discovers his dad disgraced and vulnerable. What does he do? He seems to delight in the spectacle of his aged father drunk and uncovered in his tent. Instead of turning away in sadness and respect; he looks. He is a lurid voyeur. He dishonors his dad (Exodus 20.12, 21.15, Deuteronomy 21.18-21, 27.16, Mark 7.1-12, Proverbs). He then exposes his father's folly to his brothers. He appears to gossip with perverse pleasure.
Ham's sin comes into even sharper focus as it is contrasted with his brother's righteous response. They love and honor their father (Genesis 3.21, 1 Peter 4.8).
3. Canaan's curse (24-27)
God knows the future and what everyone will freely choose and do. It appears that Noah had prophetic insight into the future and is proclaiming the curse that will occur because of future sinful behavior. Bad trees always produce bad fruit (Cain and Lamech). And while a later generation might bear the fruit of a prior generation's sin, they are only judged if they follow the sins of their ancestors (Exodus 20.5).
Noah breaks out into doxology in verse 26 while we receive our first hint at who is God's choice to continue the line of Seth. It is Shem. His descendants' blessing will be the fact the Yahweh is his/their God.
C. And he died (28-29)
The refrain of the previous generations that began in Genesis 5.1 falls on Noah and our hero's last deeds and subsequent death show that he, too, was only human and needed a Savior. Sin, even on a renewed earth and in a small family headed by a godly man, is still too strong. As our closing song said, "I need Someone to save me."
But Noah is not defined by this one terrible sin (2 Peter 2.4-10, Hebrews 11.7).
D. Some questions to consider for caregroup
1. Like the Christian slavers of old, do you ever bend or ignore Scripture? Are you doing that currently? If so, where? What will change look like?
2. How do you view nakedness, voyeurism, and modesty? Do you look like Ham?
3. What does your scorecard look like when it comes to honoring your parents – even the sinful ones? If you're married, how does that affect your view of your in-laws? Do you think and act like Shem and Japheth?
4. Why was Noah not defined by his sin? How does that apply to you?
