The account of Genesis 9:18-24 is sad reading - but has the stamp of divine inspiration, which painted human nature in its true colours. The main lesson of Noah's sin is to learn our need of watchfulness and prayer (Galatians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 9:27 ).

1 Corinthians 10:11 "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."

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Cursed Be Canaan

The N.I.V. Study Bible gives a helpful note on Genesis 9:24: "Some maintain that Ham's son (verses 18, 22) was to be punished because of his father's sin (Exodus 20:5 ), but Exodus 20 restricts such punishment to "those who hate Me." It is probably better to hold that Canaan and his descendants were to be punished because they were going to be even worse than Ham (Leviticus 18:2,3, 6-30 ). "Lowest of slaves". Joshua's subjection of the Gibeonites (Joshua 16:10, Judges 1:28,30,33,35, 1 Kings 19:20,21 ). Noah's prophecy cannot be used to justify enslavement of Blacks, since those cursed here were Canaanites, who were Caucasian."

NOTE: Sin always reduces the sinner to slavery (John 8:34. Romans 6:16,20 ).

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The God of Shem

"Blessed be the LORD, The God of Shem" (Genesis 9:26 ). The double title Yahweh Elohim is used here. The Lord, the redemptive name because the Lord was to be Shem's God in a special sense. From Shem's line came Abraham, father of the faithful - above all, in fullness of time, the Son of God was to become incarnate from Israel's line, and effect by His death and resurrection salvation available to whoever believes. It is the redemptive Lord who is blessed - in this Noahic prophecy, who will bring forth Christ Jesus from Shem.

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May God Enlarge Japheth

This prophecy through Noah has been greatly fulfilled (Genesis 9:27 ).

Ryrie points out: "The descendant of Japheth (which means 'enlargement'), would spread throughout the earth and prosper. Dwell in the tents of Shem means that spiritual blessing will come to the Japhethites through the God of the Shemites."

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Days of Noah

What long days of witness granted to Noah (Genesis 9:28,29 ), to witness to his children and descendants, and to tell of the wonderful works of God.

Genesis 10 has been called the table of nations. We learn from this long list of names the descendants of Japheth, Ham and Shem. The sons and grandsons of Japheth lived in Europe (Genesis 10:4,5 ). Greeks, Thracians, Scythians trace ancestry back to Japheth. The sons and grandson of Ham (Genesis 10:6-20 ) lived in Africa and other countries around Palestine. From their descent came the Canaanites, Egyptians, Philistines, Hittites, Amorites. Ham's grandson Nimrod "began to be a mighty one on the earth". (Genesis 10:8 ). Said to be "a mighty hunter before the Lord." (Genesis 10:9 ). This does not mean he pleased the Lord. In fact he began to establish his own kingdom, including Babel which became Babylon. To the sons of Shem (Genesis 10:21,22 ) Hebrews, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Persians, Syrians, trace their origins. These verses of Genesis 10, in the Scriptures are not used spiritually, every day, but chapters like this one have frequently confounded the critics and have proven the accuracy of God's Word.

Chapter 11 continues the subject of the sons of Noah, which began at chapter 10:1. The account of the tower of Babel (verses 1-9) recounts the presumption of man and the intervention of God to save man from himself and prevent the frustration of the purpose of redemption.

Man was presented with a new beginning but found wanting. The favourable conditions included "one language and one speech" (Genesis 11:1 ). A new environment - knowledge of what caused the deluge - assurance that God would not flood the world again. How often we hear 'better man's conditions and he will be better'! But here in Babylon, even with the benefit of one language, this and the other favourable conditions, were used to spur blasphemous rebellion, and not to righteousness in the world. It teaches not only that man fell once in Eden, but that man is fallen and needs to be born-again.

John 3:5-7 "Jesus answered, ' Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again' "

This action of verse 3 proceeded from the will of man. It has been said "man in rebellion says, 'let us'. Man in submission says 'Thy will be done'." In God's will they were to fill the earth with their descendants as God commanded (Genesis 1:28. 9:1 ). They decided to settle down and to build a city and a tower, lest they should be scattered abroad through the earth. The sinner substitutes what is artificial for what is real - "brick for stone", instead of trying to build with God's living stones (1 Peter 2:4,5 ). He builds and co-operates with the world using the material of his own wicked works. Again, instead of the mortar of faith in God and love for his neighbour, which binds together a redeemed society, he has the cohesive slime of sin, of unworthy, and selfish aims.

They planned to build a city. Again, the building of a city is associated with the wicked, as it was with Cain (Genesis 4:17 ), and Nimrod (Genesis 10:11 ), now with Babylon (verse 4). The tower was probably the kind of temple tower common in the cities of Mesopotamia and known as a zigurrat. It was intended to be of exceptional height, and most probably to have the zodiac printed on the inside of the roof - made to resemble the dome of heaven. The purpose, to establish idolatrous worship - and make a name for themselves, tying the people together. "But the LORD Came Down" (Genesis 11:5 ).

The word "LORD" (Genesis 11:5 ) is the name Yahweh, God's name in connection with redemption. The city tower was the devil's original attempt to produce an attractive alternative to the city and place where, one day, God would place His name (1 Kings 8:16-20 ). Under the gospel there is mystic, spiritual Babylon that opposes the habitation of God, His redeemed people. (Revelation chapters 17,18 ). As then, so now, He investigates evil - sees for Himself before destroying it. True and righteous are His judgments

Revelation 16:7 "And I heard another from the altar saying, ' Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are your judgements'."

Unity of purpose unhindered by communication problems made nothing unattainable to them. (Genesis 11:6 ). Though their purposes were not righteous nor to give glory to God - the principle would work. Sinners are so divided by many opposing loyalties and self- interest they cannot combine to fully oppose the power of the gospel. Oneness in Christ and unity in the Holy Spirit makes the Lord's people undefeatable in any community.

God's answer to their unity of purpose to do evil, was confusing their languages and so scattering them (Genesis 11:7,8 ). Finally, sinners will be scattered in outer darkness, whereas "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." (Romans 10:11 ). By confusion of tongues God fulfilled His purpose in filling the earth (verse 8). By the flaming tongues of Pentecost He sends forth His people to reach the world (Acts 1:8. 2:3,4 ) as witness to the Lamb who takes away sin (John 1:29 ) and the risen, living Lord who empowers for service.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Do you see as the main lesson of Noah's failure, your need of watchfulness and prayer?
2. Does "cursed be Canaan" remind you that sin always reduces the sinner to slavery?
   • What New Testament Scripture would you use to support this?
3. Why is the Lord blessed instead of Shem in Genesis 9:26?
   • From whose line of descent did Abraham come?
4. What does it mean for the descendants of Japheth to share in the blessings bestowed on them?
5. How many days were granted to Noah to witness to his children and descendants?
   • Do you desire that your prolonged days may influence others in godliness?
6. Why has Genesis 10 been called the table of nations?
   • Who are named as the fathers of the families of mankind?
7. Can you name the sin of those who sought to build the tower of Babel?
8. What were the reasons for God's intervention?
9. How did God stop the evil unity?
10. What is the significance of the flaming tongues of Pentecost in contrast with Babel?