Our verse today is Genesis 9:24-25:
“When Noah awoke from his drunkenness and learned what his youngest son had done to him, he said, ‘Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.’”
Why did Noah call down a curse on Canaan? Here is the story.
One of Noah’s sons, Ham, saw his father drunk and lying inside his tent. Instead of quietly helping, he went and told his brothers. In response, his brothers took a blanket, walked in backward, and covered their father so they wouldn’t see him naked. When Noah woke from his drunken state, he called down a curse on Canaan.
Canaan was cursed because he was Ham’s son. It saddens me to hear people say, “It’s my life.” No, your actions affect others—often your children or loved ones suffer the consequences of shameful behavior. A drunkard father leaves a poor example for his children. Life already brings enough challenges without having to overcome a bad example.
There is another lesson we can learn here. When Ham saw his father’s nakedness, he had the opportunity to cover him and stay silent. But instead, he exposed the situation by telling his brothers.
This story teaches us how to respond when we see someone sin. If you can help, do so. But avoid spreading unnecessary information. If Ham had responded righteously, his brothers would never have known.
So remember, do what you can—and don’t gossip about it.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.