Finding Others In Failure

Daryl Strawberry

Realize That No One Is Above Falling

Describe Noah’s Fall

So what do we get from this? As the Spirit records this for us, I believe we are to find great comfort and warning.

We find warning here as we find a man who stood amidst the trials and temptations of a wayward world falling though he is the leader of the world. As we see his failure, we should be careful in our own walks.

We should be reminded that no one is above falling. And find ourselves careful to say, “I would never do that.”

We can be comforted because as we look at the fall of Noah, we also see our own shortcomings and our hearts may then be filled with joy as we are reminded of God’s grace to fallen men.

Luther said, “When Satan tells me I am a sinner he comforts me immeasurably, since Christ died for sinners.”

Reflect On My Own Condition

People love scandal, don’t they? Over the last several weeks it’s been hard to go a day without hearing about the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial.

But whatever the situation. Whether it’s high school drama, your mom’s soap operas or the Depp/Heard trial, people love scandal.

What we find here is that Ham walks into his father’s tent, sees Noah drunk and naked and goes to tell his brothers outside. The word “outside” means to the streets. So the first thing that Ham does as he sees someone as dear to him as is own father in failure isn’t to cover up his dad and to talk with him privately, but it’s to run to tell other people of the scandal.

Ham found himself to be more righteous than his own father. Luther says that perhaps he goes to his brother with an act of sin portrayed as righteousness. Gossip cloaked as care. ***

Ham would’ve never mistreated his father had his heart first been right with God. A student doesn’t immediately disrespect a teacher that he loves and respects, no, he first has a heart of disrespect for that teacher. And here we see that Ham’s heart is far away from his father and most significantly it is far away from God as he doesn’t honor his father as he is expected to do.

Application: So, when you find someone fallen. The reaction that you have to someones failure may be a great indicator as to where you are spiritually. Do you think of the respect that they are do as fellow image bearers? We will see what that looks like as we see the response of Shem and Japheth.

React With A Heart For Restoration

What we find here is that they immediately go to their father’s tent, they grab and blanket and they walk backwards to cover him up. They’re not interested in diving into detail, they’re not interested in knowing more of the story. They’re concern is covering the shame of their father who they care for. 1 Peter 4:8

1 Peter 4:8 NKJV

8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

Ham was attracted to the scandal and shame of the failure of others, but as Christians our eyes should be on the scandal of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We aren’t called to look at the shame of Noah’s nakedness, but to Christ who took Noah’s shame to Calvary as He was also naked as He was crucified.

Galatians 6:1–3 NKJV

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Conclusion

So, when a friend is struggling with sin, we shouldn’t be quick to condemn them or to tell others about them. Instead we should be there to strengthen them with the gospel.

Or when one of our parents mess up, maybe they have a horrible attitude and they have an outburst after a stressful day, we shouldn’t judge them or condemn them, but we should honor them and show them the love of Christ.