Did Noah get drunk? Genesis 9:16-26

Genesis 9:16–25 (CSB)

16 The bow will be in the clouds, and I will look at it and remember the permanent covenant between God and all the living creatures on earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and every creature on earth.”

18 Noah’s sons who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. 19 These three were Noah’s sons, and from them the whole earth was populated.

1 THE BIBLE ONLY PORTRAYS NOAH IN A POSITIVE LIGHT. (16-19)

God never goes over this time in his life, nor does the Lord define Noah for this act. You are here and you are walking with God, but you freak over every time you stumble. You think God will trash talk you. Some of you have a divorce and you’ve worked on the areas of naivete of trusting and untrustworthy person, immaturity of not marrying in God’s will, selfishness, or even sin of adultery or addiction that contributed to that sad affair. Instead of hearing forgiven, child of the Father, be of courage. You hear, second class Christian, barely forgiven, black sheep of the Lord’s family.

Take heart from God’s gracious and loving view of Noah. Why did God call him RIGHTEOUS?

God called him righteous. Gen6:9

Genesis 6:9 CSB

9 These are the family records of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God.

b. The passage serves as a reminder we are saved by God through a faith/covenant relationship with Him, not by our moral perfection.

Hebrews 11:7 (CSB)

7 By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

c. Don’t look inward for salvation, as it leads to pride or uncertainty.

Noah understood godly fear. God did not have to save anyone. It is a dreadfully wonderful awe to learn that the powerful Creator of the Universe can be sinned against, forgotten and even rejected, and yet not destroy you.

In fact the more you understand the dread of God and then see the Word of God and the Actions of God the more wonderful His love and care comes through.

Though you’ve done wrong, disobeyed, wandered,

I even I the living God come to you offering what you don’t deserve and you didn’t earn, MY LOVING AFFECTION and care. Why would you stay in the pig sty of sin whose pleasures are so fleeting especially when compared to my EVERLASTING GOODNESS and love?

That’s the Lord of the Bible.

Don’t look inward. Don’t be like Cain, Ham, or Canaan:

Don’t think you did the work and God owes you something like Cain. Why does God allow bad things to happen? Blaming God for the corporate consequences of angel and human sin. No one had to sin! God did not make them to sin. He gave freewill.

On other side you have the guilt ridden

You feel insecure and uncertain when you compare your past and even present struggles with God’s perfect commands.

Remember, God called Noah righteous BECAUSE he WALKED with God. He didn’t run away. He didn’t hide. He didn’t come with pride.

It’s only in great grief that God punishes. It’s only after He offers His outstretched arms for 120 years that He punished. Never confuse God’s wrath as an equal and opposite of His grace. HE is far more willing to be gracious and loving than He wishes to judge or punish. He is our help in time of need.

IS GOD GRACIOUS, even when my faith falters? YES

In fact this past week I asked that I would be bolder in my prayers for people’s healing and strength to walk in Him. To my joy and thankfulness He answered a VERY specific prayer about a member within 2 days. It was His kindness and love as I struggled wondering why and if He wanted to move how I could knock on heaven’s door for my dear friends. I walked away from that prayer time encouraged. But, I can tell you I danced and had some moisture from joy in my eyes “seeing” His mercy and kindness to dear friends here!

He heard my cry unworthy as I am. He calls me son. Beloved, He calls you that as well!

d. Look upward at God's sign for assurance. (The Rainbow) Here but we will see the sign in the sky again and again as the One Who came from Heaven will save us by faith when we Look to the Son from heaven!

John 3:14–15 CSB

14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

Genesis 9:20-23

20 Noah, as a man of the soil, began by planting a vineyard. 21 He drank some of the wine, became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside.

23 Then Shem and Japheth took a cloak and placed it over both their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father naked.

2. Choose to be wise in your decisions with alcohol, as it can lead to problems and addiction.

If certain passages bother you or where you are like yeah, preach those pastor Jim but then you cross you arms at the other passages, your problem is with submitting to Jesus, not booze. And that attitude for either side is what leads to sin as well. Many times well intended people who were seeking to prevent the possibility of a problem presented their view as if the Bible and Jesus never addressed the issue of alcohol in from a certain perspective. Listen if you focus your kids on religion and rules that you made up, you will be no better than the Pharisees and all it will take is them having someone showing them a verse that clearly says it differently and they can feel free to wander into problems. If I can’t trust dad or mom or the church to at least give me the truth as best they can according to the Bible

The Bible at times speaks positively about alcohol.

Psalm 104:15 CSB

15 wine that makes human hearts glad— making his face shine with oil— and bread that sustains human hearts.

Notice the Bible acknowledges the effects of wine. It makes you feel happy. There would be those who want to say, a person should never feel any effect from alcohol. Now, I will tell you that I am one who does not drink. It’s not something I do. I fall on the side of it’s not needed and I see it as dangerous, don’t. But, that’s me. However, I’m not going to pretend the Bible tells everyone that in order to be a follower of Christ, they have to be where I am. I don’t ever want to misuse the Bible to beat someone over the head with guilt for something the Bible doesn’t say. It would be nice if the Bible just took a black and white stand on drinking for guys like me.

However, if anyone here starts getting upset because of the passages I quote either positively or negatively about this issue, that’s not the issue. The issue is the Lordship of Christ. If you’re like, yeah, no one is going to tell me what to do. I have freedom in Christ. OK, but did Christ set you free so you can live life just for you? You have an authority issue.

If you are someone disappointed. Baptists, don’t drink, they don’t smoke, and they don’t chew and they don’t date girls that do! You look down on someone who does not abuse alcohol like Noah here as second or lesser in the Kingdom, then you have a control issue. Which is an authority issue as well. You want a Bible Billy Club to thwap people over the head so you can be over them or feel better about yourself.

There’s a difference between being concerned in love over a brother or sister who stumbles and tripping people to put them down.

Remember Christ’s first miracle was turning water into wine.

John 2:10 CSB

10 and told him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people are drunk, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.”

Some commentators who so badly want to portray all references to alcohol as negative would like to say Jesus made grape juice. However, Jewish writings of the time labeled alcoholic wine as the good wine, not unfermented wine. They didn’t think Welches grape juice was swell. They called the fermented stuff good.

Matthew 11:19 CSB

19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

The critics called John the Baptist for being an abstainer because he made his choice clear. So they made being a tee totaler out to be a bad thing. (By the way, the same critics of John will be the critics of Jesus because he had wine.) The way slander works is that the gossip takes an ordinary behavior and magnifies it, uses tone, a wink, or a knowing nod to implant in the hearers mind a BAD IMPLICATION. “Oh did you know so and so had a BEER at the ball game. Uh, huh. You know what that means?”

“Did you see that convertible that pastor drives. Hmmm. Do you have a convertible?”

Just remember it was Judas who complained when Mary washed Jesus feet with the perfume she bought with her own money and Jesus commended her for it. Same action, two different attitudes. One from a good heart, one from a bad heart. Where the Bible speaks clearly, we should speak. Where it’s a matter of conscience or preference, we must learn to be gracious.

That’s why you need to not listen to gossip or slanderers. And if someone comes to you with an unsubstantiated claim or just a negative take on something that would normally never be an issue, you know they have issues loving as Jesus loved. If you caught it, you are called to guide them and if necessary rebuke them for their negative and sinful attitude. And avoiding gossip doesn’t mean you don’t call high handed sin out. But lets be real, the typical problem in most our lives is that we have a bad attitude and let it out.

All the Jews apart from young children and those under vows used wine in the feasts, offerings, and ceremonies. They drank it during meals. But the slanderer says, “Did you SEE Jesus drinking wine.” And they imply He did more than simply enjoy the wine. The implication is that He became drunk. That’s the lie. Jesus never over indulged or lost his faculties concerning alcohol. He did not sin. He has full mature awareness of both the blessings and curses of alcohol.

24 When Noah awoke from his drinking and learned what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said:

Canaan is cursed.

He will be the lowest of slaves to his brothers.

26 He also said:

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem;

Let Canaan be Shem’s slave.

b. The Bible warns about its dangers.

Proverbs 20:1 CSB

1 Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler; whoever goes astray because of them is not wise.

Alcohol misused leads to unrestrained. I didn’t mean to say that. It can be used to take advantage of people by unscrupulous persons. You say things you wish you hadn’t and don’t even remember

I don't remember what I did:I blacked out

I made bad decisions: I spent too much money, or I can’t believe a did that

I was an emotional wreck I couldn’t stop crying

I said things I didn't mean:

I got into arguments or fights:

Proverbs 23:35 CSB

35 “They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I didn’t know it! When will I wake up? I’ll look for another drink.”

Once one is bitten, it will create a downward cycle of destruction in your life and your family’s lives.

Proverbs 21:17 CSB

17 The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

It says loves. It doesn’t say merely enjoys it. Do you have a romantic relationship with wine or alcohol? Does someone you know have such an affection. Perhaps their kitchen decor is dedicated to wine? They talk about it more than their spouse or children? Have you noticed the way our culture has glamorized popping the cork at any and all occasions lately? How many people have beer collections or liquor bottles displayed proudly as you walk into the home?

Perhaps you have become too affectionate with your wine. If you are offended by that question, perhaps that’s the Holy Spirit convicting you that you’ve moved from a reasonable view to a relationship with whatever it is that overshadows your love for Christ, His Kingdom, your long-term health, and perhaps your families safety.

c. You should not joke about drunkeness as you should be mindful of those who may be at risk.

God sends people to hell for drunkeness. And those who become trapped in drunkeness can make life a living H E double hockey sticks for their loved ones.

1 Corinthians 6:10–11 (CSB)

10 no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom. 11 And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

You may be saved while in sin. But God calls you to life and a new relationship with him. Don’t use grace as an excuse to ignore a problem. Ask for help, grow in the Holy Spirit and be a Victor, not a Victim.

Romans 14:21 CSB

21 It is a good thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.

SIMPLE RULE OF LOVE:

2a. If you know someone in your home is at risk, don’t.

2b. If you question if you may be at risk, don’t.

stats FOR A SLIDE

Alcohol Abuse Statistics

Among adults in the U.S.:

Roughly 25% had at least one heavy drinking day

Nearly 40% drink in excess

Heavy drinking can lead to alcohol use disorder (AUD). It’s a serious chronic condition that:

Affects around 16 million people in the U.S

Young people usually drink less than adults. But if they do, they tend to drink more (binge drinking):

Over 90% of alcohol consumed by young people is through binge drinking

Around 4.2 million young people binge drank at least once in the past month out of 22 million teens. Thats 1 out of 5 teens.

Do you know a teen who acts a bit moody, has difficulty, hides stuff?

Look up the signs of substance abuse and take the observation seriously.

Youth—A Vulnerable Time

Although drug use and addiction can happen at any time during a person’s life, drug use typically starts in adolescence, a period when the first signs of mental illness commonly appear. Comorbid disorders can also be seen among youth. During the transition to young adulthood (age 18 to 25 years), people with comorbid disorders need coordinated support to help them navigate potentially stressful changes in education, work, and relationships.

Have you noticed with the increased access AND acceptability of alcohol, recreational drugs, and prescriptions that our youth are more stressed, more suicidal, more depressed, and more confused about the basics of life?

Do we not see a flood of mental health and destructive behaviors? COULD THERE BE SOME SORT OF CORRELATION.

Parents please hear this with love. Do not flaunt alcohol or anything that can be abused in front of your kids ever. Those used to be called ADULT beverages for a reason. Kids minds and hearts are extremely delicate. And lets be honest, Gene Wilder slipped it in Willy Wonka, Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. It lowers inhibitions and gets used by untoward persons to take otherwise naive kids into awkward and even undesired outcomes.

And if you don’t know parents. Ask someone who loves you and you will listen to them to come by your house and give you an honest observation. Do you have an unhealthy way of displaying such things? Folks, I have literally walked into apartments or homes where the first thing I see at eye level is bottles of hard liquor. And then I watch as their kids crash into alcoholism and addiction. Then they ask “what happened?”

Drug Use and Mental Health Disorders in Childhood or Adolescence Increases Later Risk

14 Around 825,000 young people binge drank five times or more in the past month 14

Opioid Abuse Statistics

Marijuana is the most commonly abused drug among Americans.

55 million or 16.9% of American adults currently use marijuana

Drug Abuse and Mental Health Statistics

Long-term drug abuse may affect your mental health. More than one in four adults with serious mental health problems also have substance use problems.

56.1% of 842,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 with a co-occurring MDE and an illicit drug or alcohol use disorder have received substance use treatment in the past year.11

The most common mental health disorder associated with SUDs are the following:

Anxiety disorders Depression Bipolar disorder Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)Psychotic illness Borderline personality disorder

I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED THIS IN TWO YOUNG MEN IN MY FAMILY THAT WERE POSITIVELY DIAGNOSED WITH ADDICTION FROM A YOUNG AGE. DOCTORS TOLD ONE DURING THEIR TREATMENT, IF YOU USE ALCOHOL WHILE BEING TREATED, YOU WILL PERMANENTLY HAVE BRAIN ISSUES AND DISORDERS. ONE DIED FROM FENTANYL.

3. Noah’s one “slip” brought great calamity to his family.

a. Alcohol with our sin nature can bring a flood of problems. Grace doesn’t mean freedom from earthly consequences.

b. The Bible never states what Ham did. Note how the euphemism “uncover nakedness” gets used throughout the Bible and the offspring gets cursed.

c. The family is now broken and in conflict.

d. Ham and Canaan took a dark path that continued AND I BELIEVE ITS EFFECTS CAN BE SEEN TODAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

Gen9

23 Then Shem and Japheth took a cloak and placed it over both their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father naked.

b. Shem and Japheth chose to honor and love their Heavenly Father and their earthly father.

a. Unlike Adam, Eve, and Ham, they refused to sinfully look.

b. In a portrait of Christ they demonstrated the Gospel and how the Lord deals with His children who stumble in their walk with Him.

c. You likewise have the call to demonstrate the Gospel by offering forgiveness and help to those who stumble in their walk with God.

Perhaps you need to start by accepting God’s forgiveness in your life where you have fallen. Listen, every time you trip, the Devil remembers it and he’ll body check you like a hockey enforcer. In faith, believe God offers and provides forgiveness in Christ!

Then perhaps you need to warn those going down the broad path that leads to destruction like Ham and Canaan. You can be open to them but don’t become blind to the many more desperately lying quietly around you. We have to be more aware of those for whom our time would be profitable with. They are open to discussion, they aren’t fighting or running away.

But remember there are more people who need a hand up. They tend to be quiet, ashamed and afraid.

Romans 4:7–8 CSB

7 Blessed are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the person the Lord will never charge with sin.

Psalm 32:1–2 CSB

1 How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! 2 How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit!

Zechariah 3:4 CSB

4 So the angel of the Lord spoke to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with festive robes.”