9:18-23 All the people of the earth are descendants of Shem, Ham and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. Noah planted a vineyard, made some wine and became drunk. He was lying in his tent unclothed when Ham came in and "saw his father's nakedness." Ham went outside and told his brothers. Shem and Japheth very discreetly covered Noah without disgracing him by seeing his nakedness.

v. 24-29 When Noah woke up and found out what happened he was very angry and cursed Canaan (Ham's son) saying he would be the lowest of slaves to Shem. He also blessed Shem and Japheth saying Japheth's territory would be increased and he and Shem would be allies. These blessings and curses were not only for these men but would also apply to their descendants. Shem and Japheth's descendants would be blessed but Canaan's descendants would be cursed and become slaves. The Israelites are descendants of Shem. When they read this account of Noah's curse it would have helped them understand why the Canaanites who occupied the Promised Land were driven out. The question came up in class, "Why did Noah curse Canaan instead of Ham? Canaan didn't do anything wrong." By cursing only one of his grandsons Noah could still be vindicated while limiting the effect of the curse. Instead of all of Ham's descendants being cursed, only one of his four sons had to bear it.

10:1-32 Next we see the genealogy of Noah's sons. The sons of Japheth settled in the north. Canaan's descendants (verse 15-19) scattered throughout what was later known as the Promised Land. Shem's sons lived in the eastern hill country. Noah's descendants gradually spread out over the earth. Click to see map.

11:1-9 This chapter is a flash-back to a time before all these nations scattered. It was a time when all people spoke the same language. They decided to work together and build a city with a tower made of bricks and mortar in order to "make a name" for themselves. They didn't want to be scattered throughout the earth. What's the problem? This sounds like cooperation and progress, right? But the Lord wanted them to go out and fill the earth. He saw what they were doing and put a stop to it by confusing their language so they would not understand each other. "So the Lord scattered them" and they were forced to stop building their city which was called "Babel."

v. 10-32 Now we see a more detailed description of Shem's descendants. Notice that the years are listed in this genealogy. Click to see the handout. Notice that there are 10 generations between Adam and Noah, and 10 generations between Noah and Abraham. Terah sons were Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran, the father of Lot, died in Ur. Abram married Sarai and Nahor married Milcah (his brother Haran's daughter). Terah took Abram, Sarai, and Lot and set out for Canaan. But they settled in Haran instead. Nahor must have stayed in Ur. Click to see map. Terah eventually died in Haran, never completing his trip to Canaan.

12:1-5 While in Haran, the Lord came to Abram and told him to leave his country, his people, and his father's house and go to a land He would show him. The Lord promised to make Abram into a great nation, and he would be a blessing to all nations. Whoever blessed him would be blessed, whoever cursed him would be cursed. Abram (age 75) was obedient and left with his wife, his nephew Lot, and all their possessions. "They set out for the land of Canaan and arrived there."

v. 6-9 The Canaanites were living in the land at this time. But the Lord promised to give this land to Abram's descendants (the Israelites). Abram built an altar to the Lord at Shechem. Click to see map. He went to Bethel, built another altar, and then went to the Negev-- a barren land to the east.

v. 10-20 There was famine in the land so Abram went to Egypt. Egypt had food because of the abundant water supply there. Abram asked his beautiful wife Sarai to say he was her brother. Abram was afraid because in those days a man might kill a woman's husband so he could marry her himself. But a woman's brother would be treated well and given gifts so he would give his permission for her to marry. In Egypt, the Pharaoh himself wanted Sarai to be his wife. Abram, who was thought to be her brother, was given sheep, cattle, donkeys, servants and camels. But Pharaoh's household became very sick. That's when Pharaoh figured out who Abram really was. He quickly sent Abram and Sarai on their way along with all the wealth he'd given them. So Abram left and went back to the Negev.

More next time.

--Sandy Blank

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