Noah went back to his old job and planted a vineyard. Perhaps he had a good harvest, because the Bible records him sleeping naked, drunk from the wine from his vineyard. When Ham saw his father Noah being indecent, Ham left Noah there and told his brothers, embarrassing Noah further. But Shem and Japheth had more respect for Noah than their brother. They entered the room and covered Noah without seeing his nakedness.

When Noah woke up and found out what had happened, he cursed Ham’s son Canaan to be a slave of his brothers. Here, Ham is referred to as “the father of Canaan.” It implies that Ham would not set a good, moral example as an ancestor, therefore, influencing his descendants to wickedness (Dt 9:5). Ham could blame Noah for this outcome—after all, Noah was indecent first, causing Ham to disrespect him. Yet, we each are accountable for our actions that we choose every moment of our lives. Experiencing and surviving the fatal flood did not make Noah and his sons holy. However, just as God had blessed them, God then raised people to fill the earth. Will you choose to live by the words of our faithful Father, overcoming pride and the temptations of the world?
Application: Father, thank you for teaching us what is right and wrong. I want to share in your heart to see right and wrong clearly and make the right decision each moment.
One Word: Be right before God