Cover One Another

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Cover One Another

Date: Jan. 18, 2015

Passage

Genesis 9:18-29 (ESV)

18 The sons of Noah who went forth from the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the people of the whole earth were dispersed.

20 Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. 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. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said,

“Cursed be Canaan;
a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”

26 He also said,

  “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem;
    and let Canaan be his servant.
27   May God enlarge Japheth,
    and let him dwell in the tents of Shem,
    and let Canaan be his servant.”

28 After the flood Noah lived 350 years. 29 All the days of Noah were 950 years, and he died.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 9:23

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.

First, Noah's nakedness and two responses (18-23). Noah planted a vineyard and made some wine from the grapes. One day he drank some of the wine, became drunk and lay naked in his tent. Noah put himself in an embarrassing position. Ham saw this and told his brothers. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, walked backwards into the tent, and covered their father.

Second, Noah curses Ham (24-29). When Noah learned what had happened, he was angry. He cursed Ham but blessed Shem and Japheth. Ham, by telling his brothers, had magnified his father's questionable behavior when he ought to have quietly and respectfully dealt with it. Shem and Japheth did not look upon their naked father but covered him. They honored him as their father despite his shortcomings. We ought not to broadcast each other's shortcomings and sins but act in love toward each other.

Prayer: Lord, we are all sinners but help us to cover each other's weaknesses in love.

One Word: Love covers over a multitude of sins

Worthy is Jesus the Lamb

Revelation 5:1-14

Key Verse: 5:12

saying with a loud voice,

  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
  to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
  and honor and glory and blessing!”

Today's Question

What does the fifth commandment forbid?

See answer and references