February 23, 2009

Do Not Expose Sin for Personal Pleasure

Now the sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham [was] the father of Canaan. These three [were] the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated. And Noah began [to be] a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid [it] on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces [were] turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him. Then he said: "Cursed [be] Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brethren." And he said: "Blessed [be] the LORD, The God of Shem, And may Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japheth, And may he dwell in the tents of Shem; And may Canaan be his servant." (Genesis 9:18-27 NKJV)

Sometime after the flood waters had receded, presumably several years as Canaan is the grandchild of Noah, Noah drinks himself into a naked stupor. We are not told if his sin went beyond his naked drunkenness. One might suppose something else was happening, but that would be mere speculation, and the sin we need to focus on is not Noah’s sin but Canaan’s sin.

Canaan saw his grandfather in a compromising condition, and instead of seeking to cover his sin he exposed it. He likely did this for sport because if he had reported it out of concern for his grandfather, it is unlikely that Noah would have cursed Canaan.

There is a great lesson for us to learn here. A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. (Proverbs 11:13 NKJV) There is too much tale bearing or gossiping in the church today. This is not the spirit of love, but a sinful passion running wild. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NKJV)

There is a fleshly desire for self-righteousness. It is very hard to kill. Its primary mode of operation is to tear others down to lift self up. This was the spirit of the Pharisees.

Obviously the Lord does not approve of such conceit. Let us all beware of practicing the sin of Canaan. He was cursed for it. Don’t you anger Lord with this sin.

The words of a talebearer [are] like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. (Proverbs 18:8 NKJV) When others bring these dainty morsels to you, do not partake. Turn away from gossip and spare your soul.