This message explores Noah’s inglorious end and the expanding table of nations in Genesis 10. What does this tell us about who we are? (Genesis 9:18-10:32)
Sermon Outline
“Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard.” (Genesis 9:20)
A New Beginning and the Table of Nations (9:18-19; 10:1-32)
- A new beginning in light of God’s covenant blessing (9:18-19)
- God works with the generations and all peoples
Noah’s Vineyard (9:20-21)
- Noah is the new man of the soil, echoing Adam
- Noah is the first to plant a vineyard
- Noah enjoys the work of his hands
The Uncomfortable Encounter of Noah’s Sons (9:22-23)
- Ham disrespects his father, to his shame
- Shem and Japheth respect their father, to their blessing
The Cursing and Blessing of Noah (9:24-28)
- The curse on Ham’s son, Canaan
- Why is Canaan cursed for Ham’s wrong?
- The blessing on Shem’s God, YHWH
- The blessing on Japheth’s territory
Making It Real
- God is faithful to His promises to humanity through Noah, even in spite of Noah
- It is good to enjoy the work of our hands, particularly the generative aspects of creation
- We must beware of how sin and temptation crouches at the door
- It is good be in touch with our need for God’s grace always and in every way
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When have you found it hard to finish something you started? What happened?
- This weekend we continue our preaching series, “Fractured,” that corresponds with the journey of Lent, by looking at the final section of Noah’s life after the flood and his descendants in Genesis 9:18-10:32. Begin your study in prayer by asking God to speak to you through His Word. Then, whether you’re on your own or with a group, read that entire Scripture text aloud.
- This next section of Genesis brings a conclusion to Noah’s life. How does Genesis 9:18-19 serve as a fulfillment of the promises to and about Noah in 5:28-29 and 9:1-11?
- Look at verses 20-21 again. In what ways was Noah fulfilling God’s purposes as a sort of new Adam? In what was do these verses show Noah failing in God’s purposes?
- What happens to Noah in relation to his sons in 9:22-23?
- How would you describe the words of Noah of cursing and blessing in 9:24-27? Why is this significant?
- The next portion of our text in Genesis 10 is all about the expansion of the nations and is typically known as “the table of nations.” At a macro-level, what does this exploration of the nations of the earth tell us about God’s purposes through Noah and fulfillment of the promises of Genesis 9?
- What is one thing God is revealing to you through this study? If you’re on your own, write that down, pray over it, and share it with someone this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Genesis 1:28 or 9:7
- Make a sort of family tree out of the table of the nations as described in Genesis 10.
- Using an online tool or Bible concordance, research other references to the people groups mentioned in Genesis 10. What else do you learn?
- Watch the Bible Project video, “Genesis 1-11”
- Read one of the following:
- Tremper Longman, How to Read Genesis
- “What is the Table of Nations?” at GotQuestions
- John Day, “The Table of Nations: The Geography of the World in Genesis 10”