Ham’s Folly

The covenant renewal with Noah doesn’t mean sin has ceased to be a problem. In fact, immediately in the narrative Noah partakes too much of the fruits of his labor, he ends up drunk, and naked in his tent. His youngest son, Ham, sees him in this state and tells his brothers. It’s important for us to rightly understand what is going on here, for the punishment must fit the crime. It’s clear Ham’s folly was no passing glance but an act of rebellion. As a result, Noah doesn’t punish Ham but his son, Canaan. Shem and Japheth, on the other hand, are not easily swayed by Ham but properly care for the dignity of their father even in his undignified state. As a result, Noah blesses not only them, but their entire generations; a promise that reaches even to us.

Genesis 9:18-26