Scripture: Genesis 9:20-23 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.
Devotional: Have you ever wondered why the Bible ends Noah’s story by telling this unfortunate incident in his life? I mean, the guy is favored by God, he’s chosen to be the only person (along with his family) to survive a worldwide flood, and he sees the miraculous happen as God brings two of all animals on earth to the ark to preserve them. He endures 150 days on that ark and then worships God after coming onto dry ground. God establishes a covenant with him, creating a rainbow as a sign of that covenant; something that had never been seen before.
And then…Noah gets drunk…and naked.
Isn’t that bizarre?
If I were writing about Noah, I might have glossed over that part because of all the great stuff he did. But God didn’t. Why?
Perhaps it was to show that God can use ordinary, flawed people. People who mess up – who get drunk and do stupid things in their life. People whose hearts are inclined toward Him, but who are human. People like you and me.
Throughout Noah’s story, the enduring principle is his heart. Noah’s story shows us that the type of person God uses is not one who is perfect, but one who has a heart for Him.
Reflect:
- How does Noah’s story encourage you as the type of person that God can use?