In all the world, God found just one man who was pleasing to God during Noah’s lifetime! And that was Noah himself, vs 8,9. Thus we see that God needs just one man or woman who will take that initial stand for Him. Although Noah was unable to influence the whole world, yet he spared the human race from being completely wiped out, and he was able to influence his family to assist him in doing the work of God and through them God was able to populate the whole of mankind once again, Genesis 9:19!

On the other hand, we see that years later, when Noah got drunk with wine, vs 21, and his mistake brought about a negative response from his son Ham, vs 22, then, instead of Noah ministering correction and forgiveness to his son, and repentance for his own wrongdoing, Noah pronounced a curse on his son Ham, vs 24,25. From Ham’s descendants came Cush and Canaan, and through Cush came Nimrod, who was mighty hunter in the earth, before the Lord, but through whom was built the Kingdom of Babel in the land of Shinar, Genesis 10:6-10.

And Canaan begat the Jebusite, the Amorite, the Girgasite, and the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, etc. who later on became Israel’s enemies/servants, just as per the curse Noah put upon his son Ham in Genesis 9: 25,26! This goes to show us that we can be that one man or woman who can become a blessing to the whole earth by just walking in integrity and righteousness before God when all others around us are doing the opposite! However, staying that way until the end of our life, after God blesses and prospers, was challenging for even a man of Noah’s caliber! Do we realise the gravity of being unwilling to acknowledge our wrongdoings after God has used us mightily on the earth, and on account of our pride go on to put a curse on those who expose our sin? We can clearly see the result from this story which is written for our instruction on whom the ends of the ages have come!

Therefore, Peter exhorts us in 1 Peter 3 : 8-11
 8  Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble.
 9  Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.
 10  For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit.
 11  And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

In failing to do this till the end of our lives, no matter how much God has used us, our life that began as a blessing may end up putting a curse upon our generations to come. Let him who has an ear, hear!

Rowena Thomas
Mumbai, India.