Genesis 9:20-25

This is not to be construed an interpretation of the Bible, but rather a consideration as a prayerful approach to the manner in which we walk. These thoughts came to me as I prayed for a young couple that were about to be ordained and set out to start their own church. I had been invited to a Presbytery in their honor and after seeking the Lord on their behalf, felt led to share this with their team that they would be taking with them. Many years later, I am still sharing this same message with churches across the country, to build a strong foundation of biblical principle, godly walls and reliance on the One True Source, Jehovah God.

The following words taken from the Scriptures represented special ideas to me as I prayed over this couple and over their team. These ideas are still with me today as I pray for those in leadership and for those who carry the mantle of intercessors, the burden to pray for those in authority.

1) Drunk – Weakness, or a specific area of sin.
2) Nakedness/Uncovered - Exposed to others but sometimes not able to recognize in ourselves.
3) Ham – Represents the one who tells others, gossips about the weaknesses of others. (*See Note)
4) Shem and Japheth - Represent grace and what Christ did for us when He covered our sins, our nakedness.
5) Garment – Represent prayer covering.
6) “Their faces were turned the other way” – Represents we are to fix our eyes on Jesus and not on the sin.
7) “Walked in backward” - An act demonstrating humility and love for their father, true care and compassion for him.

Whether as Intercessors, Leaders, or brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, this is how the Lord would have us to walk. That we would approach our brother who is exposed in sin and we would simply cover them in prayer. We would lovingly and intentionally cast our gaze on the One who knows their situation and their heart and allow the power of the Holy Spirit do the work. If He leads us to be the spokesperson, then lovingly guide that person to restoration and wholeness. This is what reconciliation looks like; this is how our Heavenly Father gently corrects His children. He reproves us and allows us to be bruised by our circumstances, but he uses the Body of Christ to minister to the wounds, to unwrap the grave clothes and speak life to the one who is dead in their transgression, their sin. When we gossip about their weakness and bring that information to another, we tear at the fabric of their reputation, we bring darkness to their name and we rob ourselves of the blessings God has for us as well. The blessing of higher calling, greater authority can only be given when we demonstrate a faithfulness to the smaller assignments first. He will entrust us with more as we walk righteously and carefully in all that He brings to us, at home, at church or in the market places.
Shalom!
Carrie George

*Note: Luke 12:3 “Accordingly whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”
Whisper: Psithuristes-“A Whisperer” occurs in Rom. 1:29 in an evil sense, used as a secret slander, gossip.

Given by the Holy Spirit to me 1993
Updated April 22, 2007
Carrie Lynn George