Text: Genesis 9:20-27
Memory text:
“‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭27‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Yes, parents are not always right; they have flaws and are fallible; and they may not seem deserving, yet we are under God’s commandment to respect and esteem them. They are the visible hand of God that brought us into this world and nurtured us in our helpless years. We are called to honour them, not because they are always right but because it’s the right thing to do. “Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.” (Eph 6:1 NLT). Did you notice that? It is the right thing to do.
In our text today, Ham, one of the sons of Noah, took advantage of the shameful act of his father to disrespect and mock him. Noah got drunk to the stupor, and he uncovered himself. Ham might have stumbled into this unconscious state of his father, but rather than turning his face away immediately, he mocked his father and ridiculed him before his two brothers. Although Noah demonstrated an undeserving act, yet Ham acted in rebellion to God by dishonouring his father.
Rather than following the way of their brother, Shem and Japheth walked into the tent backward and lay a blanket over their father to cover him. They covered his shame, out of love and respect, and provoked his blessing (1 Pet 4:8; Gen 9:25-26).
Noah awoke from his unconsciousness to place a curse on the first son of Ham. “Then he said: “Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brethren.”” ‭‭(Gen‬ ‭9‬:‭25‬).
It is believed that Noah couldn’t place a curse on Ham because God had earlier blessed his three children with him, and he could not revoke the blessing. He placed the curse on Canaan, his first son, who probably shared his father’s depraved attitude (Gen 10:6). He became the ancestor of the Canaanites and the first slaves in history (Josh 9:27; 17:12-13)
Friends, God will never accept any reason for you to break His commandment to honour your parents, not even for their obvious failures. The commandment is not based on any condition that they must meet for you to honour them. No wonder the holy God confirmed the curse of a drunk father! Also, note that your age or status does not permit you to violate this sacred commandment. While Noah was about 500 years old, Ham was about 100 years old when he committed this heinous sin. God still takes every dishonour to parents personally, and it is meted with serious penalty. Beware!

Prayer points
1. Father, please open the eyes of everyone who is bitter against their parents but ignorantly provoking a curse on themselves, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, heal everyone who has been provoked to wrath by their parents and give them grace to release the hurt and to honour their parents in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I will not take advantage of my parents’ flaws to treat them with contempt.
2. As long as I live, I will continue to honour my parents, irrespective of my age or status.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng