Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded[a] 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. (Genesis 9:20-23)
When the man and his wife sinned in the garden, God gave them clothing to cover them. He did not leave them exposed to their shame. That was the standard set for a love that covers the multitude of sin. It does not condone sin, it refuses to expose the person for ridicule.
The episode of Noah and his sons in Genesis 9 highlights this again. On this occasion, Noah’s succumbing to the strength of the vine left him in a position to be exposed.
We live in a culture that would follow the Ham reaction to this. Whether in gossip magazines or so-called news reporting, it is not unusual for indiscretions to be plastered across the media. People point out the sin and presume to tell others just how bad things are. It’s also interesting that the same people who expose and presume to give commentary would themselves be subject to great humiliation if their own faults and failings were exposed.
This is why the response of Ham’s two older brothers shows a better way. Covering up doesn’t mean what it can mistaken to be today. Often the ‘cover-up’ is about pretending something devastating hasn’t happened. Covering up, however, in this situation is the loving response to a situation that can cause shame. Rather than exulting in it, respect and deference is shown to address the matter. A man’s nakedness is there to be covered. A man’s problem is there to be resolved. It’s about seeing how we can help and preserve dignity.
Let your love cover today.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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