Show Respect - Shem And Japheth

Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see him naked.

Genesis 9:23

Clark Clifford, an influential American lawyer who worked for several presidential administrations, once told how President Truman reacted to a letter from Saudi king Ibn Saud, which began, “Your Magnificence.”

“Your Magnificence!” Truman laughed. “I like that. I don’t know what you guys call me when I’m not here, but it’s okay if you refer to me from now on as ‘His Magnificence.’”

Certain offices command respect—government authorities, your mother and father, your wife, your boss, your church’s leaders. The Bible teaches that God blesses you when you pay respect to those he has placed in your life.

Shem and Japheth, Noah’s two eldest sons, respected their father and what he stood for. In a moment of indiscretion, Noah drank too much wine and passed out in his tent. Though their brother Ham sinned against Noah and God when he “saw that his father was naked” (Genesis 9:22—the original language implies staring), Shem and Japheth went out of their way to cover their father by taking a garment and walking into his tent backward so they wouldn’t see him naked.

Ham dishonored Noah and himself, but Shem and Japheth respected their father so deeply that they did everything they could to protect his honor.

Shem and Japheth demonstrated respect and submissive faith that day. As a result, they and their descendants enjoyed a blessing from which their brother, Ham, had disqualified himself (see Genesis 9:24-27).

How much value do you place on respect? God expects you to honor and respect certain people in your life. Though some people see respect as a sign of weakness, that doesn’t reflect God’s opinion. Showing respect puts you in a great position to receive God’s blessings and strength.