Beginnings: A Study In Genesisنموونە

What does it say?

Ham told his brothers that their father was drunk and uncovered in his tent. When Noah woke, he cursed Ham’s descendants; but Shem and Japheth received blessings.

What does it mean?

Rather than showing respect and discretion, Ham thought seeing his father naked was a joke, revealing his true character and setting up a pattern of bad behavior that continued through his descendants. (Ham’s descendants, Canaanites, Ninevites and Amorites, were all enemies of God’s people.) Shem and Japheth acted respectfully by walking backward to avoid seeing their father and covered him with a robe. Their descendants reflected the benefits of respectful behavior and attitude. From Shem would come Abraham (“friend of God” – James 2:23), Isaac, Jacob, and eventually Christ.

How should I respond?

Like father, like son. Like mother, like daughter. Like it or not, how our kids think and behave is more caught than taught. What ungodly attitude have you displayed this week? If your family has been affected negatively by a choice of yours, how can you change things going forward? Is there someone you should thank for keeping your family in check spiritually? Our thoughts and actions today become the legacy we leave for future generations. At some point, we will all be a name on a family tree. Will your impact lead your great-grandchildren to be friends or enemies of God?