Drunk and Naked

Drunk & naked. 

Noah's story actually doesn't seem to end with the cheery news of covenant, but instead with an obscure tale of him being found drunk and naked (Gen 9.18-29). 

What do we do with this? 

This past Sunday we considered the story of God and the flood found in Genesis chapters 5-10. If you happened to miss it, you can catch the message HERE.  In a very beautiful way, the Genesis account and the message of Judgement (for all) and Grace (for one, Noah), points to Jesus in whom we find Grace (for all) by means of Judgement (of one, Himself). 

One of the profound wonders of God's grace (that, in fact, makes it grace) is that it His gift of favour given BEFORE anyone could ever remotely deserve it (note how the contents of Gen 6.8 precede what we learn in Gen 6.9).

Perhaps one of the reasons the story of God, the flood, and Noah ends in an obscure way is to illustrate something important for us.

God's grace is evident before Noah's impressiveness, and God's grace is evident AFTER Noah's unimpressiveness. 

There is a bit of a bizarre, and, well, difficult pattern to point out in scripture: 

Good Creation - followed by - Rebellion
God Covenants with Abram - followed by - Abram giving his wife to Pharaoh 
God Covenants with Israel (at the top of the mountain) - followed by - Israel breaking the 1^st two commands (at the base of the mountain) 
Jesus Gives Himself in Covenant - followed by - Peter Denying  
Holy Spirit Baptizes Church - followed by - Two people lying about their offerings 

You get the picture. It's not impressive. Well, at least the human part of it isn't. 

But something is impressive: The grace and faithfulness of our God. It is awe-inspiring. He is awe-inspiring. 

Unfortunately, we continue to fail God and each other. 
Fortunately, God persists in offering His favour, His faithfulness, and ultimately, Himself to us. 

So, the next time your or someone else's victory is followed by a failure, remember that God and His grace and faithfulness are not done yet. 

Do you deserve that? 
Neither do I. 

Wow. 

Truly good news. 

"The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."
Exodus 34.6

Pastor Mike