Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 264.  Tue  3-17-92 23:57  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: John Nelson
 Subject: Noah's curse

+-
| why did moses curse his son when he told his brothers that his father was
| drunk and lie naked in a tent? I am having alot of trouble with
| this..please help....
| (esc)(esc)
+-[JN=>All]
 
Dear John,
 
Genesis 9:20-27 tells us that Noah, unfamiliar with the power of wine,
drank too much and lay drunk in his tent.  Ham, his father's youngest
son, found Noah naked and drunk, and gossiped to his older brothers, Shem
and Japheth.  Ham's words and actions showed contempt for his father,
a serious offense.  Ham received Noah's curse, which descended to his
offspring, the Canaanites and Egyptians, Israel's hereditary enemies.
Japheth and Sem received Noah's blessing for their prudence and respect
shown to their father.
 
Today the American and European family is in disarray.  We do not know
how to esteem our parents as we ought.  The Bible can recall us to a
correct set of values if we will pay attention and receive instruction.
Remember, the Bible is God's word, and every book of the Bible is a
teaching document with lessons for us.
 
Genesis 9:20-27 teaches us that grave disrespect for parents deserves a
curse.  Other texts on this subject are:
Proverbs 19:26; 20-20; 23:22, 24, 25; 28:24; 30:11, 17.  Sirach 3:1-16
is a powerful treatise on our duties toward our parents.  Also important
are Sirach 7:27,28; 22:3, 4; 23:14.
 
For Christians, the teaching of Christ and St. Paul reinforces the Old
Testament teaching on honoring our parents.  Compare Mark 7:6-13 with
Exodus 21:17, Leviticus 20:9, Deuteronomy 5:16, and Ephesians 6:1-3.
 
                                Sincerely in Christ,
 
                                Father Mateo