Words. We toss them around every day, sometimes without a thought. But have you ever considered the power they hold? They can build up or tear down, open doors to opportunity, or slam them shut. The Bible offers a fascinating example of this in the story of Noah and his sons.
Imagine surviving a world-ending flood. Noah, following God’s instructions, built an ark and saved his family. After the flood subsided, Noah planted a vineyard and enjoyed some wine a little too much. He ended up passing out, unintentionally exposing himself.
His sons reacted in very different ways. Ham saw his father and told his brothers. Shem and Japheth, however, showed respect. They discreetly covered their father. When Noah woke up, he realized what had happened. He blessed Shem and Japheth but he cursed Ham’s descendants, condemning them to be servants. Two of Ham’s children were Canaan and Mizraim (Egypt).
Now, this curse might seem harsh. Fast forward a few generations. Abraham, a descendant of Shem, is chosen by God and blessed to be the father of many nations. His family eventually ends up in Egypt, which – surprise! – is descended from Ham. The descendants of Abraham become slaves in Egypt for centuries.
Coincidence? Not quite. God blessed Abraham’s descendants, leading them out of Egypt under Moses and Aaron, descendants of Shem, in a grand style. All the suffering that the Egyptians went through before letting the Israelites go was part of the curse Noah released upon Ham. Noah had forever placed Ham and his descendants under the feet of Shem and Japheth and their descendants, thereby partnering with God to secure Israel against Canaan. All the wars that were waged against the Canaanites and their neighbours was a playout of the curse that Grandpa Noah placed on Ham. Eventually, even though the Israelites did not exterminate the Canaanites and their neighbours, they became slaves of the Israelites, sealing the curse on Ham.
If you’ve ever wondered why God was hard on Egypt especially after Egypt had been kind to Israel for so many years, and why there was an unending war between the young nation of Israel and the already-established nations of the desert, this is why: the father of Ham cursed Ham’s descendants long before they became great, and no matter how long it took, the curse was fulfilled. And, no matter what the descendants of Shem went through, the blessings of their ancestor followed them.
This story isn’t just about ancient history. It’s a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of our words. As parents, we are the first “prophets” our children encounter. Our words have the power to shape them, to build them up with love and encouragement, or to tear them down with criticism.
So, the next time you speak to your child, choose your words wisely. Correct them with love, guide them with kindness, and remember: the aim is to get our children to be a better version of themselves, like Christ in the long run. Shalom.
