And sin continues on
Genesis 9:18-29
What constitute righteouness in the Old Testament? These individual, heard the message from God and with a sense of fear and reverance they obeyed God. Noah was told about a coming judgment and obeyed by building a boat. Abel heard how to approach God and he obeyed by bringing the right sacrifice. These were all righteous individuals.
This account of righteous Noah, reveals to us that while there is now a new relationship, and new assurances from God and a new world order, but at the same time our sinful heart continues on.
This is not a high point in the life of Noah, for he falls prey to the sin of drunkenness and nakedness. His youngest son Ham, observes the shameful condition and tells the brothers apparently in lurid detail and with relish. There is no indication of any immoral activity involved between them. Where upon Noah makes a pronouncement concerning his sons, Shem and Japheth and his grandson Canaan.
Why is this recorded? Rom 15:4, gives us the reason.
It should have been an encouagement for the nation of Israel when God was bringing them into the promised land, then occupied by the Canaanites. The Canaanites were all ready under a curse and would have been defeated, but sadly the nation of Israel did not rely on this fact.
Secondly, it is a warning to us Alcohol renders us insensible and imperceptive, and the Word of God speakes often of its dangers. In the OT nakedness is strickly forbidden and was always considered undignified and dishonoring. Saddly our society today has ignored God’s warning. Sin continues on, even to this day.
We need to emulate Noah’s faith by heeding and obeying what God has revealed to us in His Word. But we must never get to a point where we think we will not sin. Remember we still have a sin nature, just like Noah. Staying in the Word of God, will keep us from sin. So stay there.