← Back
2

How did Noah become an heir of righteousness in Hebrews 11:7?

The last record of Noah is that he got drunk and was molested by his grandson.

Genesis 9:20 - 27

ESV - 20 Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent.

Clarify (1) Share Report Asked January 22 2014 Mini Anonymous

Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.

6
Seth3 Seth Freeman Supporter
Hebrews 11:7 - By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

First off, yes Noah did get drunk. However, I'm not sure what text your reading, but Noah's grandchild did not molest him. Ham, his grandchild saw Noah, and instead of doing the honorable thing and covering Noah himself, he proclaimed Noah's shame to his brothers. His brothers, Shem and Japheth however did the right and honorable thing by covering Noah.

So did Noah get drunk? Yes. Was it wrong? Yes. Does that mean that Noah didn't have faith in God? Not at all.

The author of Hebrews declares Noah to be an "Heir of the righteousness, which is according to faith." This is because Noah, believed by faith, and had a holy fear of God Himself, so that he obeyed and built the Ark. Noah built the Ark not primarily out of a personal fear, but out of a holy fear of God. What Noah did was out of faith in God. So this statement is in direct reference to Noah's faith in relation to the flood.

January 22 2014 5 responses Vote Up Share Report


2
Q jcryle001 JD Abshire Supporter
I firmly believe it was Canaan and not Ham. Bear with me and I try to explain why.

According to Genesis 5:32: "And Noah was five hundred years old: and Noah begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth. I believe the three names are in chronological order according to their birth; scripture typically lists the firstborn first and these three are always referenced in this order.

Genesis 9:21 “And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
Genesis 9:22 "And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without." 

Genesis 9:23 “And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.

Genesis 9:24-25 "And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.”

1.Notice in v. 22, Ham the father of "CANAAN”. I believe the mention of Canaan’s name is significant. Yes, it was Ham who saw the nakedness of his father yet there is nothing in scripture implying he personally did anything to Noah aside from seeing him naked. He may have been so horrified or ashamed he did not know what to do. I don’t think this was a confessional because if Ham was the guilty party, I do not believe he would have told anyone. 

2. V. 24-25 Noah awoke, knew what his YOUNGER son had done unto him and then cursed Canaan. Notice he didn’t curse Ham, he cursed Canaan. If scripture was referring to Ham it would not have called him Noah’s YOUNGER son. Both Ham and Japeth were younger than Shem. The only male mentioned younger than all the rest was Canaan.

3.The Hebrew orJewish customarily refer to extended family as son, daughter, etc. For example, Luke 3:23 " ……… Joseph, which was the son of Heli,". Joseph was actually Heli's son in law. Matthew 1:16 identifies Joseph as the son of Jacob. 

Canaan, the “younger son” was the guilty party. He and his posterity were cursed throughout Biblical history.

January 23 2014 1 response Vote Up Share Report


0
Mini Joseph Gibbs Supporter
Leviticus 18:8 KJV states, "The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.

New Living Bible translation...'Do not have sexual relations with your father's wife; that would dishonor your father.

Noah was not upset because Ham & Canaan saw him naked. Noah was angry because of the sexual act against his wife.

In Genesis 1:28, God blessess Noah and his sons. In my opinion, Noah cursed Ham's son Canaan because he could not undue the blessing that God gave in Genesis 1:28.

January 23 2014 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


Add your Answer

All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.

What makes a good answer? ▼

A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.

  1. Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
  2. Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
  3. Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
  4. Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
  5. For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible
Header
  1. 4000 characters remaining