Noah, Drunk and Naked

20 Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard.[c] 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness. 

Genesis 9: 20-23 (ESV)

Hello friends!

Today I wanted to share some thoughts on Genesis 9: 20-23, where we see Noah get drunk and fall asleep (pass out?) naked. The youngest son sees his father's predicament, goes to his older brothers to tell them what he's seen, and then seems to disappear from the scene.

Noah's older sons go to their father's resting place, take a blanket over their shoulders, turn their backs, and walk backward until they can cover their father's nakedness without ever having to look at him.

My thoughts are on the actions of the two older sons. Even in their father's sin, Noah's oldest sons are compassionate. They don't berate their younger brother or condemn their father. They, quietly and quickly, act with respect and compassion and then move on without further mentioning the incident.

What are we doing when we see someone hurt and in the mires of sin? Are we acting compassionately and quietly? 

Are we acting anonymously and helping them through a difficult time?

Are we treating them as human beings, as people that God loves, as individuals for whom Jesus also sacrificed on the cross? 

Or are we gossiping about them? Are we taking pictures and posting them online for the purpose of sharing our judgment and inviting others to join in? Are we spreading rumors? Are we judging them for the thing that they have chosen, for the sin that they have lost themselves to? 

How do we react when we see someone in need because of sin?

What does our reaction say about the state of our heart?

My prayer is that, the next time we're faced with someone's metaphorical (or literal) nakedness as they wrestle with sin, we'll act quickly and quietly to help them recover and move past their shame into the forgiveness Jesus offers to each of us.

All the love,

Emily

P.S. Feel free to contact me at admin@tulipsandbasil.com!