Exposing one's nakedness

Genesis 9:19 These are the three sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was overspread and stocked with inhabitants.20 And Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard.21 And he drank of the wine and became drunk, and he was uncovered and lay naked in his tent.22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, glanced at and saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside.23 So Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it upon the shoulders of both, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.24 When Noah awoke from his wine, and knew the thing which his youngest son had done to him,25 He exclaimed, Cursed be Canaan! He shall be the [a]servant of servants to his brethren!26 He also said, Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem! And blessed by the Lord my God be Shem! And let Canaan be his servant.27 May God enlarge Japheth; and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant.

When our husbands, wives, children, friends, mothers, fathers, Christian brethren, etc, makes mistakes or if they are in deep bondage or torment, what will you do as a husband, wife, son, daughter, Christian brother/sister, or friend? Will you be like Ham telling and complaining to others of the nakedness of your beloved? Or will you be like Shem and Japheth who laid their burden on their shoulders and covered the nakedness of their father?

Job's friends had spoken unprofitable things about Job thus speaking against God. But rather than Job taking offense, God had Job pray for his friends. Job's friends had to bring an offering and it was required of Job to pray for them otherwise God would have judged them. But at the same time, it was Job's choice to pray for those who had tried to verbally and emotionally hurt him. As Job had the heart of God and as he prayed for his three friends, God's anger was subsided and Job received a double blessing. Yes, Job received twice for his ordeal but it also conditional to him praying for people he probably did not want to pray for. What reward is there to love those we can easily love. We must love those who are unlovable and those who may be making it hard to love them.

Matthew 5:46 (AMP)For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?

Rather than pointing our dim lights at the wounds of others, it would be more prudent to carry their burden on our shoulders covering them with our love. Let us not expose the nakedness of our beloved members but rather let us cover them with our love and sacrifice even if it may cost us our lives. We must have the heart of God in us just as Moses had interceded for God's people when they were in horrific rebellion. God wanted to destroy them and start over with Moses. But Moses had the heart of God and asked for mercy. Are you looking for a new spouse or family to start over with because it appears it is not working out? Or will you have God's heart and intercede for your beloved? When Moses had gone up the mountain for 40 days, it had appeared God's people were not working out as they had built the golden calf to worship. God's people were stiffed neck and always complaining. They had complained to Moses and made his task very difficult. But even with that said, Moses had interceded TWICE on behalf of them as God's anger was kindled against the people. Moses had the heart of God. He had loved God's people!! Will you interceded for God's people? Will you intercede for your spouses? Will you intercede for your children? Will you intercede for those Christians brethren who had said offended words to you? Will you intercede for your congregation? Will you intercede and cover their nakedness rather than exposing their problems, shortcomings, addictions, and bondage for the wrong reasons? Ham had received a curse for exposing his father's nakedness. Beloved, let us seek and work through the Love of God.

Jesus had died as we were still sinners. He did not wait until we stopped. He loved and died for us as we were still sinners. Are you willing to receive His type of Heart in you? You must if you are to make this journey home.

How much are you willing to endure for your loved ones?

Fire of God Ministries International
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
November 19, 2012