Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Category: Genesis Page 28 of 41

The Tower of Babel :: Conservation amidst Confusion

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On May 7, 2014

In Babel lessons, Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 11:1-9 gives the account of how God came down and saw the city and the tower that the people were building, and God found that the people were one and had one language, and God said that there would be nothing that could be restrained from men because of their unity, and everything that they imagined, could be done. So God confused the language of the people, so that they could not understand each other, and scattered them upon the face of the earth.

Superficially, this may seem like God was being unfair. Why would God choose to break the unity that man had? What was wrong with just one language? To answer these questions, it is important for us to pay close attention to the testament that God had given of man, that with such oneness in the people, everything that they could imagine could be accomplished (done) without restraint. Now this may not seem overly significant until we put this together with the nature of man, after man sinned. Now before Adam’s sin, man was made upright/perfect (Ecclesiastes 7:29) in the image of God, but after his fall (Genesis 3), sin and its wages which is death came into the world (Romans 5:12), and God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5). This same fallen nature is implicit in the people, now in the plains of Shinar who are trying to build a tower that reached the heavens, with their motivation being – to make a name for themselves and not for God (Genesis 11:4), very much like the iniquity of pride that was found in the heart of the evil one, Lucifer (Ezekiel 28:2).

So if God was to let the people continue in their unity to build a tower that would make man lofty with pride, so much so that he would reach the heavens, this could only lead to the ultimate destruction of mankind, since a continually evil heart with unrestrained power would lead to vices which all beget death in the end. So God was not being unfair, but in a mysterious way was charitable toward man. God’s love (charity) was implicit amidst the confusion that was caused by him, for he did not man to continue down the path that leads to man’s self destruction. In other words, God was conserving mankind mysteriously amidst confusion. Another word for conservation is Salvation.

Points to ponder:
While events that transpire in our life may seem chaotic and confusing, look for the silver lining in what may seem dark and you will find the Sovereign hand of God, painting your life as a masterpiece – for his charity is expressed even amidst confusion. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33), but it takes a heart that is not continually thinking of evil, but one that seeks after God’s own heart to see that. Do you see God’s Sovereign hand of control in your life, which is not to make us feel confused, but because of his great charity (love) toward us – Do you see it? He desires to conserve (save) our souls (SOS).

Genesis 11:1-9 (KJV)
1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

The Tower of Babel :: Trinity in the Tower

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On May 6, 2014

In Babel lessons, Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

About a year or two ago, during the Easter timeframe, I heard a knock on my door and when I answered it, I found a young man and a woman, well dressed in semi-formal clothing, standing at my door. They identified themselves by their names and very quickly I came to learn that they were from the cult group, Jehovah’s Witness, as they would not accept the Lordship of Jesus. In an attempt to make them understand the error of their ways, I asked them to complete the sentence “At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is _______”. They dilly-dallied quite a bit and refrained from answering as ‘Lord’ which is what the Scripture states clearly (Philippians 2:10-11). Instead they tried completing my sentence, focusing solely on the humanity of Jesus, as Mary’s child, Joseph’s son, etc., completely ignoring Jesus’ divinity. Then as they left, they left a publication of theirs, which is known as the WatchTower and an article in it, had the heading, “What is the Holy Spirit?”. First and foremost, this question cannot be answered, for it is blatantly wrong since the Holy Spirit is not inanimate but a living person. The correct question would have been “Who is the Holy Spirit?”. Second, the content of that article, subtly like the devil himself, attempted to paint a picture that the Holy Spirit of God is some kind of an active force of God.

Genesis 11:7 states “Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” Before we deal with the reason as to why God would confound man’s language lest they understand one another’s speech, it is important for us to focus on the first part of this verse, which is, God said, “Let us”. This the same phrase that God uses when he creates man in his image (Genesis 1:26) and this expression implies a plurality of God. God is singular yet plural, meaning that he is not three gods, but One True God, manifesting himself in three persons as God the Father, Jesus Christ God’s Only begotten Son and Holy Spirit.

May this be a warning to heed for every occult group such as Jehovah’s witness or Jesus Only Movement who deny the three persons of the Trinity. God’s (YHWH or Yahweh or Jehovah’s) essence in three persons and to deny that Jesus is the Son of God is to have the spirit of the anti-Christ working in you (1 John 4:3). Jesus and the Father are One as God (John 10:30) and it is Holy Spirit who is poured out on us, proceeding from God the Father (John 15:26), when we believe in Jesus Christ. To deny one of God’s eternal persons is to deny all of God.

Points to ponder:
God in three persons was involved in the creation of man and now again, we see the Trinity in the Tower – Watch out (a little pun intended). From the beginning of our life and through the course of it, God’s involvement in our lives, is in three persons … to the glory of God the Father, being saved by Jesus Christ his Only begotten Son, and inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit. Do you feel the presence of the Triune-God-in-One, in your life? Watch out.

Genesis 11:7 (KJV)
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.

The Tower of Babel :: The Power of Oneness

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On May 5, 2014

In Babel lessons, Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 11:6 states “And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.”  This verse is probably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, testament that anyone can give to the power of unity. Having hailed from the the beautiful country of India, wherein the motif of the entire nation is captured in the phrase, “Unity in Diversity”, I can certainly relate to the power of unity, and, here we have not just any man, but the Lord himself who is making this declaration, that the people are one, and with such oneness there is nothing that is restrained from them, and that they would be able to do anything, that they have imagined. What a great testament this is to the power of oneness.

To get this to hit home, imagine that you want to do something, and then be certain, that with everyone working together, without confusion, toward that thing, it is only a matter of time, before which it becomes a reality. This is what God is saying, man can do, when they are one and can communicate their imaginations clearly without confusion (one language). In subsequent articles, we will learn about the dangers of such oneness, which warranted the LORD God to intervene, and confound the language of man, but today, let’s ponder upon the power of oneness.

Points to ponder:
The greatest commandment is to love God with our all – i.e., to be intimate with him; to be one with him. The second greatest commandment is to love our fellow men and women (neighbors) as ourselves – i.e., be one in fellowship with our neighbors; with God’s disciples. With such oneness, we can do great things for God and bring glory to God our Father.  I believe, this is why Jesus prayed for the oneness of his believers with him – the kind of oneness that he had with God the Father from the very beginning (John17:20-23). And when we are one with God, with us in Christ and God in Christ, we are made perfect and the world would come to know Christ (John 17:23). The Power of Oneness with God cannot be restrained – think about that. Do you want this power? If so, become one with God and his people. Love God with all, love man as yourself!

Prayer: 
Lord, let me become one with you, so much so, that when people look at me, they do not see me, but you! 

Genesis 11:5 (KJV)
6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

John 17:20-23 (KJV)
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

The Tower of Babel :: What’s will the LORD see?

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On May 2, 2014

In Babel lessons, Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 11:5 states “And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.” What is interesting to note is that the LORD descended from above, to see the city and the tower that was being built by the people who settled in the town of Babel, in the plains of Shinar. This informs us of a few hidden treasures that close scrutiny unearths.  First, the LORD came down implies that the LORD is above us, not just metaphorically, but physically and spiritually. Second, the LORD came down to see what the people were building. This implies that God is interested in the affairs of man.

Points to ponder:
The LORD is interested in the affairs of our life. If God was to come down from above, what is it that he will see you and me building?

Prayer: 
Lord, when you come from above to see what I am doing, may I be building your kingdom and your house and not trying to make myself a name by building lofty and earthly things that may even reach the heavens.

Genesis 11:5 (KJV)
5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

The Tower of Babel :: Making a name

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On May 1, 2014

In Babel lessons, Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 11:3-4 states “And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”

What is interesting to note is that, not only did the people settle down in the plains, in the land of Shinar, which was itself contrary to God’s commandment to replenish the earth (Genesis 1:28; Genesis 9:1), but they also planned with one another to build a city and tower that would reach unto heaven, so that they would not be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth, again doing things that was contrary to what God had commanded. They did this with the hope of making a name for themselves. (Genesis 11:3-4).

Points to ponder:
Are we trying to make a name for ourselves? Let us not build a name for ourselves, but instead, let us build the Name of Jesus, the Name above all names; the Name to which every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that he (Jesus) is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). Whose name are you and I building … our name or the name of Jesus.

Prayer: 
Lord Jesus, help me to work for you and for your Name, only yours, which is above all names, so that God the Father would be glorified. 

Genesis 11:3-4 (KJV)
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV)
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Tower of Babel :: What’s your Shinar?

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On April 30, 2014

In Babel lessons, Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 11:2 states “And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.” Now, while this may seem like it was just the natural thing to do for the people of God, it was indeed extremely contrary to the command that God had given his people. God had commanded his people to be fruitful and multiply, and to replenish the earth (not settle down in one place), and subdue it (Genesis 1:28), but with the fall of Adam, the earth became exceedingly evil and every imagination of man’s mind was wicked (Genesis 6:5), thereby bringing about the judgment of God in the form of a flood, destroying all mankind, except Noah and his family. Now what is interesting to note is that, after the flood, the same command that was given to Adam and Eve, is now given to the Noah and his sons, which is to be fruitful and to multiply and to replenish the earth (Genesis 9:1), again not settle down in one place. So we see that settling down in one place (in the land of Shinar) was a direct contradiction to the command of God.

Points to ponder:
What is it that keeps you from following the command of God? Let us not settle down in our sinful states but let us be fruitful, producing the fruit of the Spirit and let us multiply – replenishing God’s kingdom on earth.  What’s your Shinar? Settle not there!

Prayer: 
Lord, help me to follow your commandments and not seek to settle down in places of my life, where I think it is level ground (a plain). Let my Shinar be in you, Lord, I pray. 

Genesis 11:2 (KJV)
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

Genesis 9:1  (KJV)
1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

The Tower of Babel :: One language; One speech

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On April 29, 2014

In Babel lessons, Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 11:1-9 gives the account what is familiarly referred to as “the Tower of Babel”. It is an account of the “origin of languages” (Genesis 11:9) and answers the question – “Where did all the languages of the world come from?”. But before the world was multi-lingual, the world was unilingual (had one language) with one speech (Genesis 11:1).

Why is it important for us to notice the universal unilingual situation of the world? Searching the scripture gives us some clues to unearth the hidden treasures in God’s design to have the world be uni-lingual with one speech.
First, the whole earth that was repopulated now by the sons of Noah and their children born after the flood (Genesis 10), was of one language, which implied that man could communicate without chaos and confusion with one another. This actually is a testament of  God’s nature, i.e., Our God is a God of order and not of confusion, which Apostle Paul reminds the the church of Corinth(1 Corinthians 14:33).
Second, the universality and unilingual state of the earth, unified all the nations (sons of Noah and their children – Genesis 10:32).
Third, the pattern of God for man is to have a pure language – so that man may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one consent (Zephaniah 3:9). This is why God says to his people, that he will turn to the people, a pure language (Zephaniah 3:9). Notice, that while the singularity of a language mentioned here suggests that the people would have one pure language restored, for God is omnipotent and omniscient, it is not implausible for every one to understand each other, which is akin to having one language and one speech, despite the varied languages (tongues of men) that exists, as was evident on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:5-12), which is again a testament to the Sovereign omnipotency of God.

Points to ponder:
What is the language you and I are speaking? Is it a pure language – one that unifies all nations, by which, we call on the name of the Lord and serve him only (or) are we babbling about?

Prayer:
Lord, you are in me, your holy temple, and so let my words be few, as I stand in awe of your glory. Let me call on your name, for your word assures that all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved, and as saved Lord, let me serve you, as a good and faithful servant, bringing glory solely to your name, and not seeking my own as the people in Babel did. Restore in me Lord, your pure language, I earnestly pray.

Genesis 11:1-9 (KJV)
1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

Zephaniah 3:9 (KJV)
9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of theLord, to serve him with one consent.

Life after death; Kingdoms of men and God; Set apart

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On April 28, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 10 gives an account of how the earth was repopulated by the sons of Noah, after the flood. Verses 1-5 gives an account of the first son of Noah, Japheth and his children and settlement by the isles of the Gentiles (meaning islands by the sea – Isaiah 11:11; Jeremiah 25:22). Verses 6-14 gives an account of the last son of Noah, Ham and his descendant with special mention given to Nimrod (Verses 8-12), who is one of the descendants of Ham, a mighty hunter and the first king (Genesis 10:10). Verses 15-2o continues the account of the descendants of Ham through his son Canaan, and verses 21-31 lists the families of godly Shem, to whom was born Eber, the forefather of Abram, from whom the Hebrews came. This account is generally referred to as the Table of Nations or the genealogies of the sons of Noah and while one can get lost in the names of the sons, what is of note, is to recognize a few key facts.
First, the earth was repopulated by the sons of Noah, who were born after the flood … meaning that the blessing of God for man to multiply and inherit the earth (Genesis 1:28), to sustain life, despite the destruction in and through the flood, still stood strong.
Second, though Nimrod, is mentioned specifically with reference to his conquests and as the first king, after the flood, seldom do we hear of Nimrod or any of his exploits today, which reassures us, that kings and kingdoms of the earth are short-lived and soon forgotten. The only kingdom that is indestructible and which stands for ever is the kingdom of God, with Christ Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords (Daniel 2:44, Revelation 19:16).
Third, after the flood, Noah’s children and descendants enjoyed the pleasure of a land that was undivided, which geologists refer to as the Pangaea, but the birth of Peleg to Eber, the descendant of Shem was a reminder indicating the hand of God in the matters of the earth. Peleg was so named, because in his days, the Divine divided the land, setting boundaries for the nations (Deuteronomy 32:8), determining their pre-appointed times (Acts 17:26). The continents as we know is, was designed (and divided) by God himself, not mere geological and natural phenomena. Peleg is also known as Phalec (Luke 3:35).

Points to ponder:
Despite the sting of physical death, life goes on, for it is a blessing of God.  However, for life to be eternal, and for one to tide over spiritual death, one must know God and his son, Jesus Christ (John 17:3), believing in him (John 3:16), who is the blessing of God for abundant and eternal Life, for all mankind, to all who believe in him.
Even though it may at times seem like the rulers of our lands (some rebellious like Nimrod) are kings over us, only the kingdom of God stands for ever and is indestructible. Whose kingdom are you part of – man’s or God’s? Is the kingdom of God within you (Luke 17:21)?
The Divine Most High God divides his people from the rest so that they are a people that are sanctified (set apart) to praise him and bring glory to his name (1 Peter 2:9). He has, and is, and will always be in control, despite what may seem as divided footholds to us. You can be sure that he will be your boundary (Psalm 3:3) as he has so planned in advance for your life, at its appointed time (Jeremiah 29:11). Are you set apart for God?

Genesis 10:1-32 (KJV)
1 Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.
2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
3 And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
4 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.
10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
11 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
12 And Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city.
13 And Mizraim begat Ludim, and Anamim, and Lehabim, and Naphtuhim,
14 And Pathrusim, and Casluhim, (out of whom came Philistim,) and Caphtorim.
15 And Canaan begat Sidon his first born, and Heth,
16 And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,
17 And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,
18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
20 These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.
21 Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born.
22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
23 And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash.
24 And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.
25 And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.
26 And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah,
27 And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah,
28 And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba,
29 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
30 And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east.
31 These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.
32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

Enslavement, Enrichment and Enlargement (All in the Family)

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On April 25, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 9:24-29 gives the account of the outcome of the sinful and saintly acts of Noah’s sons. Noah’s youngest son, Ham was disgraceful in dealing with his father’s shame, when Noah was inebriated, while the second born Shem and the oldest son Japheth dealt decently in covering their father’s shame, as Noah lay intoxicated and naked, in his tent.

When Noah woke up and he found out what had transpired, Noah cursed Ham’s son, Canaan, with the curse of enslavement. Ham’s descendants would perpetually be the not mere servants, but servant of servants (akin to slaves) to his brothers, Shem and Japheth. On the other hand, Japheth, the oldest, is blessed by Noah with the blessing of enlargement, and Japheth shall dwell in the tents of Shem. Shem, on the other hand, is not directly blessed. Instead Noah, blesses the Lord God of Shem and in due course of time, we see that Shem becomes the father of Abram, later renamed Abraham  (Genesis 11:10-32) who was given the blessing – in blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply you (Genesis 22:17). Eventually through the line of Abraham, Jesus Christ, the promised seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16) would be born, bringing about the blessing of God’s salvation to all mankind. In other words, the Lord God would enrich (bless) the generations of Shem through Abraham and eventually Jesus Christ.

Points to ponder:
Sin leads to the curse of enslavement while our act of not even looking at sin or its shame, as did Shem and Japheth, leads to enlargement and enrichment in and through Christ Jesus. Just as Japheth promise of enlargement is met with the condition of him dwelling in the tents of godly Shem, so also our enlargement is in Christ Jesus, not outside of him. Let our lives, bring about a blessing to the Lord God’s name, as Noah did of Shem. Can it be said of you, “Blessed be the Lord God of “?

Take a look at your life today and ask yourself the question … “If God was to look at me today, would I be given the verdict of being enslaved or enriched and enlarged (in Christ Jesus)?” Now answer it.

Genesis 9:24-29 (KJV)
24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him.
25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
26 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
28 And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
29 And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

Disgrace or Decency

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On April 24, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 9:22-23 is an account of disgrace and decency in the first family that populated the earth after the flood during the time of Noah. Noah had lost self-control and was drunk with wine from his vineyard and as he lay in his tent, he was naked (uncovered). Ham the youngest of Noah’s son sees the nakedness of his father, and instead of covering the shame, acts disgracefully and goes and tell his other two brothers, Shem and Japheth. Shem and Japheth do the right and decent thing of taking a garment, laying it upon their shoulders, walking backward with their faces turned so that they would not see the shame of their fathers nakedness, and cover him.

From this account, we can learn a few important truths.
First, even after the flood, even from a family that was saved from being destroyed in the flood, we see the evidence of the effects of the sin of Adam. The evil one (devil) who was cast onto the earth was seizing every opportunity to make God’s people sin and like he influenced Cain (Genesis 4:7), he now influenced Ham, the son of Noah.
Second, sin leads to a life of disgrace and makes those who fall in it, treat it as a thing of little inconsequence – something that is to be gloated over and  gossiped about.
Finally, those who are godly will cover the shame that stems from sin and and turn their backs and faces to not even look at the shame of sin.

Points to ponder:
How do you treat sin and the shame that stems from it … disgracefully or decently?

Genesis 9:22-23 (KJV)
22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.

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