"And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered (naked) in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a GARMENT, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and COVERED the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father's nakedness." Gen 9:20-23
The scriptures go on to say that when Noah awoke from his wine, (his hangover) and realized that his younger son basically told on him Noah cursed him. But Noah blessed his two sons who had covered his naked body.
I never really understood this story. To be honest it actually bothered me. It bothered me that Noah; being the one man who was "right" in the eyes of God before the flood was foolish, got drunk and ended up naked in his room for whatever reason. And it bothered me that he went as far as cursing the person who caught him in his foolishness. I mean come on, if a person does something wrong and they get caught, it's not the person who catches them that goes to jail right?
Well, something I do know about my Lord is that He will reveal truth if you ask. So I asked Him about this story and this is what the Holy Spirit revealed to me.
This story is a picture of love and what God did for us and calls us to do with others. Only the enemy, Satan, the accuser of the brethren uncovers our sin and exposes our nakedness to others. But a brother/sister in Christ will cover another's sin and nakedness with the garment of love and prayer. Love covers, it would never expose. God is Love and He never exposes us. He sent the ultimate "garment" to cover His people in love...Christ is the garment that covers our nakedness!
After the fall of man (when Adam and Eve sinned against God) Adam and Eve realized they were naked (or exposed). The enemy exposed their sin but God Covered them with skins from an animal; a foreshadow of the Christ who would one day come to be slaughtered for the covering of us all.
Praise the Lord that we wear the most precious Garment that exists!
So do you feel you've been uncovered and left exposed by the enemy? You can stand confident in knowing that Christ became your covering because you are deeply loved by God and He never wants you to feel ashamed but He desires that you be set free.
Or maybe the Holy Spirit is speaking to you and you've realized that you are the one who's been uncovering people in your life. You may have pointed out their flaws and sins. Do not feel condemned, just ask God to fill you with His love for those people so that you can see them the way God sees them...with genuine love.
We are called to love one another just as Christ has loved us. It's not always the easiest of tasks, but it certainly is the most rewarding.
"Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all wrongs." Prov 10:12
