The Honoring of Parents

A Devotional Series from Genesis

Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)

7/18 Reading Portions: Judges 1; Acts 5; Jeremiah 14; Matthew 28

Genesis 9:23

Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.

CHARACTER

Two days ago, we considered the weakness of Noah, the vineyard he planted, the fermented grape squeezings he succumbed to, and the shame and vulnerability his inebriation had exposed. Yesterday, we considered Ham’s delight in the moral indiscretion of his father’s drunkenness. Today, we consider the actions of Shem and Japeth in honoring their father, despite his moral lapse. They took a garment, one large enough to place upon their shoulders, and surely one large enough to cover their father, then walked backward into his tent to cover Noah. In this episode, we are able to draw a distinct contrast between the sinful character of Ham and the humble, righteous, and parent-honoring character of Shem and Japheth. Although the commandment would not be given until much later, it is good to be reminded of it now and then:

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12

In the New Testament, the apostle reminds us that this was the first commandment given with a promise attached to it (Eph 6:1-3). Why? Because God’s commandments are tit-for-tat? That if I do something, I’ll get something? God forbid. When our character is built to honor our parents in our elemental and elementary years, later on, in the gospel blessings of Christ, our lives will own that Christ-promised abundance (John 10:10), not because we get something we did not yet have, but because we are something we were meant to become… Christ-like (Rom 8:28-29).

Moreover, in Shem and Japheth’s actions we should also note this: Sometimes we work and behave as if we must become little “providences” in Christ’s kingdom, trying to fix this or that because it’s “not right.” True maturity in Christ is realizing that our sovereign God allows many more situations than we care to admit, so that His redeemed people will have the opportunity to honor parents by God’s grace and for Christ’s exaltation so that our heavenly Father is glorified. Had Noah not gotten drunk, and had Ham not delighted in his father’s tomfoolery, we may have never witnessed the Christ-like character of Shem and Japheth. That’s gospel truth. We don’t condone the sin, but we glory in the spirit of Christ and His gospel. Had Adam not sinned, Christ would have been unnecessary. We need to spend more time with a view and perspective on Christ, on His cross, and on His gospel, than on the sin of others.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!