Scripture:
Genesis 9:20-23 ESV
[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, walked backward, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.
Observation:
Noah started doing what GOD had made him for work the ground, producing fruit. I’m not exactly sure how he figured out how to make wine, but he did, and I believe this is the first mention of it. The wine itself was not the issue. Noah drank too much, and his mind was not clear. Passing out drunk, he left himself open to all kinds of bad things. When his son saw him without clothes (and I’m not sure exactly what happened at that moment), something was wrong. Noah’s son Ham told his brothers, and they took care of it the proper way. We could speculate what happened with Ham, but the bible doesn’t say. All we know is that it wasn’t right, and Noah knew it had happened when he woke up.
Application:
I’m thinking about 1 Corinthians 6:12 and many other scriptures. To be honest, this one comes to mind right now because the wine dominated Noah, he found himself drunk and in a compromised potion. I believe it’s from this first mention of alcohol that all the other scriptures about staying sober-minded come from. Now, do those scriptures have to do with just alcohol, no, I don’t believe so. I think they have to do with anything that has an intoxicating effect, for example, our emotions or drugs. Anything that can control us. Do I believe that alcohol is bad? Well, let me just put it this way, it is for me. My behavior behind it is much like Noah’s. I can find myself in places where I shouldn’t be doing things I shouldn’t do. In compromised potions without the ability to do anything about it. What I’m saying is this, if you struggle or have struggled with addiction at all in your life, then by all means, stay away from alcohol completely away from it. Some people can, and some people can’t, and if addiction has ever been a part of your life, YOU CAN’T, just saying. Don’t feel bad. I can’t, either. So maybe we can hang out in life recovery together. I, myself want to remain sober-minded. I want to see what’s coming and be ready for the return of Jesus Christ. By all appearances, it won’t be long, and there is work to do. There are people who do not know HIM and what good is it to tell them about HIM if you are drunk. Your witness has very little effect that way. Who the son sets free is free indeed.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for how it guides our lives. We want to be made like You. I want to know You more, to rest in Your presence. I want to be overcome by You, to be consumed by You. I believe the way to that for me is to remain or abide in You. Staying away from anything that alters my mind or makes me think differently. Father, I thank You for that wisdom, and pray that You keep that at the forefront of our minds today and every day. We want to be effective soldiers for the kingdom. Keeping our minds clear for battle. So, we can see the attack of the enemy before it even gets close, Father. I pray for those whose minds are clouded with alcohol, drugs, or emotional distress. I pray that You would clear their minds and make them effective soldiers for the kingdom as well. The harvest is ready, but we need more workers. Send us workers LORD in the mighty name of Jesus. I pray, amen.