Genesis 9:25-27 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.… I. The curse of Canaan was SERVITUDE. Noah saw in Ham and his son some traits of character that showed a moral inferiority, which he foresaw would have an effect upon their descendants, and would be visited by God with chastisement and disapproval. II. The blessing of Shem was RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGE. Israel was "alone among the nations" in respect of their superior knowledge of God. From this "Shemitic" people was in future days to go forth the "Law" and the "Word" of God (Isaiah 2:3), which were to bring all other nations to God. III. The blessing of Japheth was ENLARGEMENT. His name means "widely-extending"; and his descendants were great colonizers, spreading over Europe in one direction, over Persia and India in another. LESSONS: — 1. That the Lord is King ruling over all, and that He judges among the nations. 2. That the Lord is Saviour, and provides for the way in which His truth shall be preserved amid the wickedness of men, and shall finally subdue and renovate the world. 3. That all nations, whether subjected to others, or widely extending their power, should learn to serve and praise "Jehovah, God of Shem." (W. S. Smith, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.WEB: He said, "Canaan is cursed. He will be servant of servants to his brothers." |
    |