Because of what
verse 24 says, it appears best to cover these three verses as a whole, because
there may be more here than meets the eye. It has to do with the temptations
which were said to have perhaps already been much more pronounced in Canaan,
things which would lead to the horrible evil of the Canaanites. It is also
connected to what may have come from Noah's drunkenness.
First, we noted
that Noah almost certainly did not sleep naked. Therefore, Ham had to know what
happened. He almost certainly didn't just happen in on his dad and see him
naked.
We see in verse
22, at least one major sin was committed - that of gossip. Ham went and told
his brothers. We don't see how he told them, but it is quite plausible that it
was done not only in a gossiping way but in a way that told them that he really
didn't have much concern for his father. It wasn’t the concern of a son who
says, “I think Dad has a problem, we need to get him help.” Indeed, as noted,
this was probably the first time Noah had done this, and there is no indication
that it happened again, so there was no need for them to counsel Noah and help
him stay away from alcohol. This is why they likely went and covered him up,
ashamed not to look at him but at what had become of him because of the drunkenness.
They didn't want to embarrass Noah any more, and didn’t feel it would be an
ongoing problem. It’s important to trust the Lord in knowing when to get a
person help and when something can be ignored.
This brings up
another point, however, that being how Noah knew what Ham had done. We
considered before that Noah may have been making a spectacle of himself,
talking and acting beyond foolish while drunk. It is possible that Ham
accompanied him back to his tent to make sure that Noah at least passed out
drunk there and not outside, which would explain why Noah knew what Ham had
done. Perhaps Ham had left him uncovered, mocking him instead of covering him. This
would account for Ham seeing his father's nakedness, telling his brothers, and
leaving the evidence because Noah, while drunk, could have been still aware
enough to know that Ham had been there and had not covered him up. It would
also explain why Noah cursed Canaan, because Noah wanted to point out that
Ham's youngest son would be just as much of a problem, and just as uncaring, as
Ham had been.
However, there
is another, darker possibility. The above speculation would still make Noah's
comments prophetic. However, this idea fits nicely, too, and may tie in with
the above, though it could be true even if Noah was not outside making a foolish
spectacle of himself.
It has been
suggested that when Ham looked upon Noah’s nakedness, it wasn’t a normal
glance, but rather a leering, almost sensual in nture. If ham did this and then
told Sham and Japheth, they might have had even more reason to go in backward.
Once something is put into one’s mind it cn be hard to get it out, which is why
Philippians 4:8 warns us to think on things which are true, honest, just, pure,
etc.. If this was the case, they didn’t want to think of their father in the
way Ham had mentioned. They had never thought that way about noah before, but
such thoughts troubled them so much that to avoid those thoughts returning,
they made sure not to look at him at all.
This would
explain how Noah knew what Ham had done. He obviously woke up with a blanket
over him, and knew it hadn’t been over him when he fell asleep. If he recalled
that Ham gazed upon him in a lewd manner before or even recalled some things from
the night before (because not all drunks forget what they did the previous
evening), he would have good reason to be upset.
But, why a
curse on Canaan, then? As noted before, this curse was quite probably prophetic
in nature. If Ham had such thoughts, Noah recognized Canaan would, too. In
fact, Canaan was old enough at this point that he likely exhibited the same
traits but on a much larger scale. Remember that the Canaanites were into all
sorts of wickedness, so much so they would sacrifice children to a false god
and do other awful things that God warned the Israelites to have no part of.
Of course, as
noted, all this is speculation, but there are good, sound reasons behind all of
it that do fit with the rest of scripture. The important thing is that one know
Jesus Christ as Saviour, and then earn blessings and rewards once saved by
being that kind, compassionate, respectful person who will treat others in a
Christlike manner. Thinking about things and focusing on the things mentioned
in Philippians 4:8, and drwing near to the Lord while fleeing youthful lusts,
will allow one to have the right heart so if someone like a Noah does need help
for a problem such as alcoholism or anything else, they can help that person
get help in a kind, respectful way.
And, I’ll close
this post by noting a couple of places where one can turn or where one can
refer someone else for Christ-centered help with any kind of addiction, whether
to alcohol, drugs, or even those youthful lusts. “Reformers Unanimous is a
wonderful ministry in a number of churches in the United States, and they may
have help on their website in addition to locations of churches and treatment
centers. There is an online ministry with lessons and I believe counselors to
e-mail with at settingcaptivesfree.org. And, there is a community of Online
Missionaries who can help with addictions if you go to Jesus2020.com and fill
out the form. Someone like Noah doesn’t seem to have had a major problem, but
others do, and it shouldn’t be ignored, because those who do have addictions
greatly harm others through their actions and/or inactions.
