Reading for May 10th

 Read Genesis 9.18-29. The three sons of Noah become ancestors of all living human beings because all other humans had died in the flood (7.21-23). In verse 20: Noah becomes the world's first winemaker. The intoxicating effect of wine fulfills the words of Noah's father spoke at his birth concerning Noah's role in producing something that would bring relief from work (5.29). In verses 21-23: Noah overindulges in the intoxicating fruits of his own labors and lies uncovered in his tent. Noah's son Ham, the father of Canaan, sees the nakedness of his father. This may suggest some form of incest or other improper sexual activity (Lev 18.6-8, 24-20). In verses 24-27: Although Ham is the one who acted improperly, it is Ham's son Canaan who is cursed to be a slave and Shem who is blessed. As the following genealogy, or family tree, in Gen 10 shows these sons of Noah represent geographical nations and peoples in the known world of the ancient Near east. Ham represents the Hamitic peoples associated with Egypt and areas under Egyptian control, including at some time the land of Canaan. Shem represents the Semitic people, which will eventually include Israel and other related nations. Japheth included a number of groups from Asia Minor. The cursing of  Canaan and the blessing of Shem provides the backdrop and justification for the eventual conquest of the Canaanites and the settlement of the Israelites into the land of Canaan in the book of Joshua. Comments or Questions..