In this short writing, an attempt is made to show how the accounts of Noah, Shem, Lot, as well as the events after the Fall serve to powerfully combine to reveal the character of God in those who obey Him and those that do not.
The stories of Noah and Lot seem disparate but the parallels are incredible. The first connection is the feature of “wine” in both of these accounts. The parallels follow the pattern of (A) God’s salvation act (B) The drinking of wine (C) Actions of the Children.
It is easier to see the parallels when they are juxtaposed side-by-side (see picture).
The (C) parallel may be harder to observe. Lot’s daughters’ attempts to bear children by their father is in fact the “uncovering of nakedness” prohibited later in the Pentateuch in Leviticus 18:6 -20. The verse below suffices for us to develop our thoughts further:
“None of you shall approach any one of his close relatives to uncover nakedness. I am the Lord.” (Lev. 18:6)
This ties back to the Fall when we remember God is the first Being to cover our nakedness in Gen 3:21. This is a God who chose to cover us when we are at our most shameful state after engaging in sin.
“Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness.” (Gen 9:21)
Shem and Japheth mimic the character of God entirely in Noah’s post-flood drunkenness. From Noah’s blessing, it seems implied that Shem took the lead in this act for the blessing for Shem is greater than that of Japheth.
It also begs the question, why were Lot’s daughters’ responses so different from Shem's after witnessing God’s salvation? Sadly, when I think about this, I think about my own inappropriate response to God’s salvation work through Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection.
Indeed, it will be worse for us compared to Sodom and Gomorrah for the salvation act we experience is greater than that of Lot’s.
It is a splendid thing if we like Shem, mimic God’s divine attributes to one another here on earth. The only way this happens is if Christ lives in us.
May His kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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