Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Tag: Shem Ham and Japheth

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.

I am Second

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On April 22, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

“I am Second” is a movement meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others; because God (Jesus Christ) is first.

Genesis 9:18-19 enlists the three sons of Noah that went forth of the ark, through whom, the whole earth was repopulated. It also gives the name of one grandson of Noah, who was Canaan, the son of Ham. What is interesting to note, is that the order in which the three sons are listed is Shem, Ham and Japheth, while Shem was actually the second son (Genesis 10:21); Japheth was the oldest and Ham the youngest.

Why would the second son be listed before the first? Apostle Paul in Romans 9 theologically debates this issue and demonstrates that God is not an unfair and unjust God, for having chosen Isaac over Ishmael, or Jacob over Esau, but is Sovereign in all of his doings. The last (second) Adam (Jesus) would be greater than the first Adam for the glory of the present house (Jesus’ time) would be greater than the former house (before Jesus’ time) according to the word of God through prophet Haggai (Haggai 2:9).

Points to ponder:
God is Sovereign and the glory of Christ Jesus supersedes all. We are second to none, except Christ Jesus. I am second!

Genesis 9:18-19 (KJV)
18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
19 These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.

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