Genesis 9:20-27 describes an unfortunate incident with Noah and his sons. Noah planted a vineyard and became drunk with the wine of its grapes. Noah’s intoxication was after the Flood was wholly unintentional. The Flood caused great changes in the atmospheric conditions of our earth. We understand it was produced by the precipitation to the earth of an immense quantity of water which previously had surrounded the earth at a distance as a cloudy canopy. The dissolution of this canopy or envelope of water not only produced the Flood, but altered the conditions of nature so that storms, rains, etc., resulted, things which had never been before (Genesis 2:5,6).
Another result, we believe, was the development of an acid-like condition of the atmosphere tending to produce ferment, which directly affected human longevity, so that according to the Bible, the average of human life decreased from 800-900 years to 100. This ferment from the changed atmosphere, affecting the grape, generated mold and the alcoholic condition which produces drunkenness. According to the record, Noah’s drunkenness was the result of the first vintage of grapes after the Flood, and it evidently was contrary to all of his experiences preceding the Flood. Therefore, we understand this one instance of Noah’s having been intoxicated was the result of ignorance respecting the changed character of the fermented grapes.
The account says Noah was lying uncovered in his tent, as seen by his son Ham. Ham told his brothers, Shem and Japheth, who respectfully entered the tent in such a way as to cover Noah without looking at him. As a result, Noah cursed Ham’s son, Canaan, to be a servant to his brothers. The Canaanites went on in history to be known for their wicked idolatry and moral depravity.
Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1096: “My Life is Full of Suffering – Am I Cursed?”
Properly interpreting our misery and understanding biblical curses
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