Was Noah Sinning?

by Perry Hall

In Genesis 9, Noah gets drunk. Ham's actions follow, leading to a curse. Noah was not cursed. Was drunkenness, therefore, not a sin?

This is a good example of allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, specifically showing how Genesis Narratives help explain other Genesis Narratives. The Bible keeps telling the same stories, just with different settings.

So, back to Genesis 9. Was drunkenness a sin? Notice these sequential events:

1. Action - Noah gets drunk.
2. Effect - Noah gets naked.
3. Consequence - A curse is placed on Ham and his descendants for his shameful actions toward his father.
4. Grace - The sons cover their father's nakedness.

Now go back to Genesis 3.

1. Action - Eve and Adam eat from the forbidden tree.
2. Effect - They now notice their nakedness and are ashamed.
3. Consequence - Curses are placed on the serpent, Eve, and Adam.
4. Grace - God makes coverings out of animal skins.

The similarities show that if Adam and Eve's actions were sinful, Noah's getting drunk was also sinful.