Scripture Reading: Genesis 9:25; 11:1-9
Explanation: After Ham sinned against his father, Noah announced a curse on Ham's son, Canaan: "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers." These words clearly indicated to all that Ham's line would not be the line of the promised Virgin-born, Deliverer King, nor would it be the line through which other blessings associated with God's plan to restore the earth under His rule would come.
The reason why Noah announced a curse on Canaan and not on Ham itself is uncertain. Perhaps by this time, Ham's character had been reproduced in his sons, Canaan being the best example of this; therefore, announcing the curse on Canaan would have been tantamount to underscoring and highlighting the rejection of Ham's line.
So what could Ham and his descendants have done differently once they learned they would not be the chosen line. First, they could have repented. It would not have changed their position in relation to the line through which God would fulfill His promises, but it would have made it possible for them to experience whatever "good" God otherwise might have had for them. The city of Nineveh serves as an example of how God responds to repentance. Ishmael and Hagar stand as examples of God blessing people even though they weren't included in the promised line.
Ultimately, God gave the line of Ham every opportunity to repent and to embrace their servant-position as His plan unfolded. The scattering of the people and confounding of languages were designed, in part, to keep the citizens of Babel from fulfilling their schemes to secure the blessings of God's Kingdom for themselves. In other words, God mercifully gave them a chance to reconsider what they were doing and to turn to Him instead. The majority must have squandered the opportunity, continuing instead to seek their own way and securing for themselves God's judgment in the end.
Reflection Questions: What other Bible stories can you think of that illustrate God's responsiveness to repentance? Why is it so hard for people to repent when God causes or allows something to happen to correct them? What might you do to keep a tender heart toward God's purposes for your life when those purposes involve correcting you? How might you express your trust in God and cooperation with His will when you find Him blessing someone else and not you?
1 comment:
"God mercifully gave them a chance to reconsider what they were doing and to turn to Him instead."
I am amazed at how often God does this. Sometimes he even gives chance after chance after chance .... :)
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