HONOR | PROMISE

#1 Way To Live a Long Life

Want To Live a Long and Prosperous Life? I’ll Tell You the Secret for It!

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Sometimes I have a tough time respecting my parents (I know we all do!). Lately, after becoming a Christ follower (still trying, though), I have been giving God reasons in my head for why my parents are not worthy of respect.

We all know our parents’ everyday lives. What they do and how they do it, their belief systems, and their inflexible approach to doing things.

Noah and his wild celebration

Then suddenly, this Noah guy came to my mind. We all know how he is regarded as esteemed in the bible. But he, too, was a Dad. That too — a faulty one. After the flood, Noah decides to plant a vineyard, thankfully by the grace of God, he derives a harvest, and he celebrates(That too not subtly). But in a wild fashion, he drank all too well up to his nose. Then, intoxicated by the drink, lies unconsciously, that too NAKED!

Was it right for Noah to celebrate?

Amos 5:11, the Almighty says:

“Therefore because you trample on the poor and take from him exactions of wheat, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine.

If being able to eat the fruit of your labor was a blessing from God. Then Noah sure was blessed. His celebration was approved by God. But he got a little too carried away and lay naked and intoxicated. This event served as an opportunity to reveal the disrespect that Ham had in his heart towards Noah. But the same event served as a blessing for Shem and Japheth. Our thoughts will one day be made manifest, and the world will know.

“What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” — Luke 12:3

Ham’s approach

According to me, it was not a crime for Ham to see his father naked. Because when our parents get too old, it becomes hard for them to even go to the restroom by themselves or change clothes. We do it for them all the time. We have to see them naked sometimes to care for them in ways they couldn’t for themselves. So Ham saw. It wasn’t a sin to see, but the way he handled it, maybe? He saw and mockingly told his brothers that he had seen his Dad’s naked body. But the other 2 kids respectfully covered his shame by walking backwards and covering him up.

My justification for Ham — coz I’m a child myself

1. First of all, if the Bible says not to be intoxicated in the senses and not to drink. Then why should one respect a Dad who drinks?
2. When drinking is all bad. How about your Dad, who has to show you the path by living a respectable life, lying around naked, intoxicated?
3. Above all, he cursed Ham because he got offended when he was drunk, intoxicated and chose to lie around naked. Well, I thought ‘Don’t be offended, you deserve your disrespect’(Ham must have had a hard time forgiving his Dad — this root of unforgiveness and bitterness would rob Ham of his peace all the days of his life?)

I have met people who couldn’t forgive their dads for their whole lives. All their thoughts about their dads are one of these,

• Disrespectful
• Bitter
• Ungracious
• Unmerciful
• Malicious
• Shrewd (like the shrewd manager from the parable)
• Resentment

God’s forgiveness

But God shocked me. Noah cursed Ham, his own son. And the CURSE STOOD!

“…For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.” — Num 22:6

We see in the story of the prodigal son. The younger son got his share of the inheritance, took off, wasted all of the money in drugs and women, lost all his fortune, worked at a pigsty, became hungry, and his eye opened. Decided to return to his dad by repenting. When he returned, his Dad welcomed him back with full respect — a respect he did not deserve because he was irresponsible and unfaithful, celebrated his repentance, and they feasted together.

If God, as a Father, is this forgiving, graceful and welcoming. How much more should Noah have been? Because Noah is now the most esteemed righteous one chosen by God to spread humanity, as he found favor in God’s eyes. But Noah took the mockery of Ham as an offence and cursed him. And for sure 1/3rd of the world’s population is under a curse that this man put after the great flood.

But God decides to respect Noah’s hurt here and makes the curse stand. Because what Noah expected from Ham — RESPECT is ‘THE’ primary command given to us as kids.

Our Choice

Because he has given us the power to ‘CHOOSE’. To choose forgiveness or judgment. To choose death or life. To choose good or evil. To choose light and not darkness.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” — Proverbs 18:21

Jesus, when he came physically, also gave us the power to forgive. He said this to his disciples before ascending into heaven,

“If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” — John 20:23

Freewill is our responsibility

We were created as free-will creatures. We stand in free will even today. But we will also reap the fruit of our free will — good or bad. If you don’t obey God’s law, you don’t qualify for even the basic round. As a son, Ham had the basic duty to fulfil — honoring his parents. No matter how wicked, evil and unacceptable they are. ‘You’ must obey your command. Because you’ll be judged based on your performance and not your Dad’s or Mom’s. Since Noah’s expectation was legit, the curse stood.

In God’s economy, you pay with obedience as your currency, give in love and receive by faith.

Respect unconditionally

Once you get the gist of how God’s economy works. No matter if your earthly parents are a drunkards, cheaters, murderers or merciless demons, you still have to respect them. Because God has given them the power to bless or curse us. And alas, the curse will stand if cursed. If you only respect those who deserve it, what credit is it to you?

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” — Luke 6:32