A New Beginning

9: 18-19

REFLECT: In what area do you need a new beginning in your life today? How can you get it? How did Noah and his sons and their wives get it?

Now we come to a new beginning. It is difficult for us today to realize what a world-shattering beginning it was. The sons of Noah who came out of the Ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth (9:18a). Mankind had the opportunity to start a “new creation.” This was their actual order of birth (5:32; 6:10; 7:13; 10:1 and First Chronicles 1:4). This statement connects this section with the Flood account.

Ham was the father of Canaan (9:18b). This statement connects this statement with the next section. Ham, acting as he did, showed that he was the true father of Canaan and how Noah came to curse Canaan for Ham’s sin.

These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered over the earth (9:19). This was a fresh start, a new beginning for mankind. All of humanity descended from these three men because Noah had no more sons after the Flood. But although the Flood had wiped out sinful people, the sin nature remained in the heart of Noah and his children. Would they be more successful in avoiding sin? The answer comes quickly.168

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The Teaching Ministry of Jay Mack 2006-2013