Noah, a Mean Drunk, Condemns a Grandson to Slavery
And this is the man who found favor in the eyes of the Lord and was saved from drowning.
(Genesis 9:20–27) And Noah began to be a farmer and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japeth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.
So Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his younger son had done to him. Then he said, “Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants he shall be to his brethren.”
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Noah was mad at Ham for finding him drunk and naked in his tent, but he takes it out on Ham’s son, his grandson, who he condemns to servitude. How does this make any sense? Does this gross injustice bring a stinging rebuke from God?
No. And that’s a shame.
This is what God should have said to Noah —
Noah, we need to talk.
Just a minute, Lord, I’m getting dressed.
Getting dressed….You don’t think I know every wart and inch of your body?
I’m just trying to be modest.
Modest. Like when you were drunk and passed out naked in your tent?
Well, Lord…..
Did you put up a Do Not Disturb sign on your tent? Your wife could have come in and seen you. I’m sure she would have been thrilled with that.
No, Lord.
And of course you threw up all over the sheepskin rug.
Yes, Lord.
So you are responsible for this mess and you put it all on Ham’s son, your grandson, making slaves of him and his family, when he is obviously completely innocent?
Well, Lord, I was hungover real bad and I was embarrassed in front of everybody and just wasn’t thinking straight.
Amen to that. Here’s how we are going to fix this. Canaan will no longer be a servant. Instead you will be his servant and general flunky for 10 years, if you live that long. Do you understand?
But, Lord….
No buts. I drown everybody except you and your family and you make me look bad. Lucifer is going around saying I should have drowned you and saved someone else, that I’m a bad judge of character. And Noah, nobody is going to make Me look bad.
