One Bad Hangover: How Noah’s Story Ends
Have you ever watched a movie that ended in a terrible way and said, “you ended it that way?” That is how I felt when I came to the end of Noah’s life. He was righteous, he found favor in God’s eyes, and he worshiped God after the flood. Then we read this. I read the passage several times before I preached it, because there is something about letting God’s word get into you. After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard, drank of the wine, got drunk, and lay uncovered in his tent. Ham saw his father’s nakedness and told his brothers. Shem and Japheth took a garment, walked in backward, and covered their father. When Noah woke, he cursed Canaan, Ham’s son, and blessed Shem and Japheth.
Scripture does not explain or excuse any of it. Of all the sins between Genesis 3 and 11, this is the only one where God says nothing, so we are left with a mystery. I want to walk through three sins in the text and then apply them.
Three Sins in the Text
Drunkenness. I told the church that when I speak about alcohol, I expect to be shot at from both sides, like the man in the old movie who wore half a Union uniform and half a Confederate one. I used to take a very strict position. By God’s grace I now believe alcohol is permissible, an area of Christian liberty. “I didn’t say I would advise it I said it’s permissible.” But the Bible warns of drunkenness. Proverbs 20:1 says wine is a mocker, and pastors and deacons are not to be addicted to much wine. John Calvin said Noah’s drunkenness teaches “what a filthy and detestable crime drunkenness is.” Alcoholism was rampant in my family, so I do not drink, and I would say to anyone who does: be careful.
Indecency. Noah lay uncovered, and shame was brought on him. Even in today’s society you do not have to be drunk for people to applaud indecency, but God says to be decent.
Disrespect. I believe Ham looked on his father’s nakedness, gloated, and went to tell his brothers, which took authority away from his father. The fifth commandment says to honor your father and mother, and Leviticus 19:3 says to revere them. Shem and Japheth show the right way to respond, even when parents do something foolish.
What We Learn from Noah’s Fall
“God’s word is brutally honest.” If I were writing about Noah, I would be tempted to leave this out. God tells us about the strengths and the weaknesses of his people.
“Every one of us is capable of every sin known to mankind.” J. C. Ryle said, “the seeds of every sin are latent in our hearts even when renewed.” Adam, Aaron, Peter, and John Mark all fell. First Corinthians 10:12 says let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. So our attitude should not be that this would never happen to me.
“Past success does not provide Power for future victory.” It is not what you used to do for God but what you are doing for him now. And sin often strikes after victory. Jesus was baptized and then tempted. “There’s always a battle to fight after the battle that you’ve won.” Farming was a legitimate occupation, but a routine can lead us to relax our guard. In your work relationships, many improper bonds start with a co-worker. “Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.” Watch and pray, because the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Start does not guarantee finish. Noah was at least 600 years old. Moses struck the rock, David fell in his 50s, and Solomon drifted when he was old. William Culbertson used to end his prayers with these words: “Lord help us to end well.”
“How people respond to the sin and embarrassment of others is an indication of their own character.” Galatians 6:1 says to restore a fallen brother in meekness, and love covers a multitude of sins, so we do not gossip, we come alongside. And “you can choose your sin but not its consequences.” Ham was the third curse in the Bible, after the serpent and Cain, and as Spurgeon put it, “God never allows his children to sin successfully.”
Finally, a believer never needs to fall. First Corinthians 10:13 says no temptation has taken you but what is common to man, and God will make a way of escape. We linger and think about it until we fall. Romans 6:14 says sin shall not have dominion over you.
Discussion Questions
- Noah fell at the end of a long life of faithfulness. Where are you tempted to coast on past success instead of walking with God today?
- Ham gloated over his father’s failure while Shem and Japheth covered it. How do you respond when someone else’s sin or embarrassment comes to light?
- Scripture says every temptation has a way out. What is one habit you could change this week so that you are not lingering near your own temptation?
Noah died, and the flood did not take away death. But “the Bible is not a story about Great Men it’s a story about Great Redemption.” Christianity is not behavior modification, “it’s about Christ changing your behavior.”
